Extra Track Time Could Benefit Logano at Talladega

Coming off of his victory last weekend at Richmond, Joey Logano basically had to take two steps backwards when NASCAR leveled a L-1 Level Penalty, but it just so happens that Joey Logano returns to a track he has had a ton of success as of late. Basically, points wise, Logano enters today’s race without a victory to his name. This weekend at Talladega, though, Logano has extra track time racing in yesterday’s Sparks Energy 300 XFINITY Series race.

“I think these XFINITY races and with this new drafting package it’s close to what it’s like in the Cup Series. You don’t have that tandem push as much and it’s more of a pack like the Cup races are, so you get a little bit more experience for what tomorrow is gonna be like, which is good,” said Logano.

Logano showed some aggressive racing yesterday and stated he feels that it will need to be done again today to take the victory, especially with a very competitive field of racers. Racing in the XFINITY Series also gives the driver an opportunity to work with his/her spotter.

“I think the biggest thing is just working with your spotter and working on that lingo and working on where the runs come from and learning how to block those and being aggressive together”, Logano commented. “I think that is the biggest thing.”

NASCAR’s top division only visits restrictor plate tracks four times per year with two appearances each at Daytona and Talladega. So, when a driver can run in the XFINITY Series and even the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at these tracks, it gives drivers more track time and more experience running in the draft. Both Logano and his teammate, Brad Keselowski, along with Ryan Blaney, take advantage of that. Not just at superspeedways, but also at the other tracks NASCAR visits.

“We only do this four times a year, so it’s hard to be really good at it, or at least it’s hard to me. Maybe I’m not that good. The more seat time I get, the better I feel about my chances for tomorrow,” said Logano.

Logano spoke with the media about how important racing in yesterday’s XFINITY race and how it was important because of the fact that the Cup teams faced limited practice time with rain making an appearance.

“Even if we would have had another run yesterday (Friday) in practicem I don’t think there would have been a big group out there drafting anyway… It would have been a very small group at that.” stated Logano. “I don’t think these speedway practices anymore are as crazy as they used to be because we are all scared.”

Logano will be making his 301st start in the MENCS driving the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Fusion. He will start 12th.