Joey Logano a Real Gamer at Nashville Superspeedway

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

April 12, 2009 9:49 am UTC 6 Comments

Joey Logano did exactly what everyone has been expecting of him at Nashville; he won a race.

The Connecticut rookie that has been named “sliced bread” for his next best thing promise finally lived up to the hype in a NASCAR race. Because it was a Nationwide Series race and not on the Cup level he still has a way to go before the Joe Gibbs Racing driver lives up to his moniker.

Logano won in the ARCA series in 2008 on his way to NASCAR’s top series in 2009, but the road has been rocky at best throughout his rookie series. The season started with a crash out at Daytona and has never righted itself since.

Logano’s success at Nashville makes one wonder if he might have been better served to have spent an entire season in the Nationwide Series to get a feel for the tracks and environment of the NASCAR big leagues. The no testing policy that NASCAR implemented in the ’08/’09 off season had an impact on start up and rookie teams. The same reasons that allowed start ups the ability to enter the series were counter-productive to the rookie class.

In a normal year Logano and the #20 team would have spent much of the off season getting him comfortable in the new car. Not only was Logano expected to acclimate himself to the ex-Stewart car and team, he had to learn the nuances of the CoT–a car he had driven sparingly until the start of speed weeks at Daytona.

I boldly predicted in February, on ON PIT ROW the radio show, Logano would not make it to Daytona in July as the driver of that car. There have been rumblings to that effect and a “vote of confidence” from team owner Joe Gibbs. Those VOC’s tend to be a bad omen. Gibbs and Home Depot may not have the ability to hang in with Logano throughout the season. Gibbs may have been better served to have used a seat holder for a year, while Logano perfected his craft in 2009.

He needs to move up the cup ladder quickly over the next five races to prove Gibbs confidence is warranted. Nashville may give Logano exactly what he needed–a win to get things moving in the right direction.

Photo credit: John Sommors II – Getty Images for NASCAR

Filed under: Car of Tomorrow, Daytona 500, Joe Gibbs Racing, Joey Logano, NASCAR Rumors, Nationwide Series

Tagged with: Joe Gibbs Racing, Joey Logano, NASCAR, Nashville Superspeedway

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Comments

6 Responses to “Joey Logano a Real Gamer at Nashville Superspeedway”

Matt Mercer on April 12th, 2009 9:10 pm

Logano will be fine and Gibbs will stick with him. Bobby Labonte had no wins and 1 top 5 finish when he was hired by JGR to drive the #18, and he responded. The team has entirely too much invested in him to give up on him halfway through his freshman year on the top circuit. Kurt Busch finished 27th in the points standings in his first year and he won a championship 3 years later. It shouldn’t be surprising to see rookies actually driving like rookies.
Marc on April 12th, 2009 10:15 pm

“I boldly predicted in February, Logano would not make it to Daytona in July as the driver of that car. “

There’s a reason why you’re been hung with the “idiot” moniker, and this is a prime example.

Logano ain’t going anywhere.
Charlie Turner on April 12th, 2009 11:10 pm

Steve won’t let go of his “bold prediction” Marc. And I have to give him credit for actually saying – aloud, on the radio and BEFORE the season started – that Logano would struggle. The other part of his deal was the BP – which he will live to regret, if I have anything to say about it.

And Matt, Kyle Busch ran into just about everything that moved with Hendrick his rookie season too. That turned out pretty good.

No, Joey will be fine. I think he’ll win in Cup this year. And I said that before the season, aloud and on the radio, too.
Steve Wronkowicz on April 13th, 2009 6:41 pm

I will be vindicated. Wait and see.
carmike on April 13th, 2009 10:19 pm

Lagono out of his ride by July?

That is the dumbest statement I have heard since late last summer when a guest/cohost on the Mike Tirico show announced that the Lions would make the playoffs in the 2008 season.

Labonte and Busch have proven successful when brought in by Gibbs. Even Yeley lasted longer than 5 months with less to show.

It”s tough to replace and racer like Tony, but Lagano will learn and succeed.
Logano Uses Zippadelli’s Leadership to Beat the Rain at Loudon : Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie on June 28th, 2009 8:45 pm

[...] that he might fold under the pressures and not make it past the middle of the season. Look here to see how wrong I could [...]

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