JOLIET, Ill. – Joey Logano had a fast car at Chicagoland—just not quite fast enough to move through traffic and lead laps.
But the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford took advantage of fresh tires on an overtime restart and surged from sixth to second in the final two laps, trailing only Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 winner Martin Truex Jr. at the finish of the opening race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
“Just overall very proud of what this 22 team was able to do all weekend,” Logano said. “Brought a very fast race car, one that was capable of running top-three for sure. Just took us a while to get to that point.”
Logano led only one lap, and that came during a cycle of green-flag pit stops late in the race. But Todd Gordon brought the No. 22 Ford to the pits under the final caution, and Logano took full advantage.
“Any time a caution comes out late like that, that’s the definition of pressure for a pit crew,” Logano said. “You’re in the Chase, there’s a lot on the line, you’re coming down to the end to win a race. They executed and beat the 11 (Denny Hamlin) off of pit road.
“Couldn’t be more proud of the way they handled the pressure and the way the pressure made them better. That’s pretty neat. It’s a big thing to look forward to through the next nine weeks. We can handle it. Showed it today. Can’t wait to get to New Hampshire and continue this momentum.
“Obviously a second‑place finish gives us a decent cushion for the next couple races, but we got to keep attacking the way we are right now.”
Source: Reid Spencer / NASCAR Wire Service
