Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Coming off of his most successful season to date, Joey Logano is hoping to find himself in championship contention once again.
Looking back at 2014….
When Joey Logano was first moved up to the Sprint Cup Series, he was expected to have a lot of success and be the next big thing – hence the nickname ‘Sliced Bread’. However, that never happened as he finished mid-pack and struggled for the majority of that time at Joe Gibbs Racing. It became apparent quickly that he was moved too quickly and should’ve had a couple more years of experience in the NASCAR XFINITY Series under his belt first.
Continuing to add to that experience along with a shift to Team Penske was exactly what the doctor ordered as Logano came out of the box solid in 2013. Last year, it only got better as Logano had his best season statistically to date with five victories, 16 top-fives and 22 top-10s. It seemed that his Fords had speed everywhere, no matter the track, as he was able to run up front all race long. Of course, he kicked that off well each weekend with a solid qualifying effort, boosting an average starting spot of 9.8 on the season.
Logano also proved that he could be there at the end as he was one of the drivers fighting for the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In the weeks following the Ford 400, Logano probably wondered what could’ve been if he hadn’t had that poor pit stop that saw him restart 22nd late in the race, versus up front with his fellow contenders.
Looking ahead to 2015….
The biggest thing it seems for Logano is right there above in the last paragraph – improve pit stop quality. It seemed as though he struggled a couple times throughout the year on pit road, and it bit him at the most opportune time. If his pit crew can get their act together and the speed is still there for Team Penske, look for success to come easily in 2015.
Logano also needs to remember to stay focused as being a young driver, he can’t let the success catch him off-guard and not continue to follow the same route of success. Continuing to work hard, find that extra edge and see where he can do better is certainly something that he and Todd Gordon should keep doing. They also have to remember to not let their teammate’s flurry of controversy with run-ins with fellow competitors get them caught off track, either.
If the speed is there in both qualifying and the race, and the pit crew gets it done, you could be looking at your 2015 Sprint Cup Series Champion right here.
RT @OnPitRoad_: NSCS: 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Preview – @joeylogano by @ladybug388 http://t.co/5Pp1ETchVW @Team_Penske #NASCAR #NSCS
As a Joey fan, I hope he can win the championship this year. He’s now becoming the driver people thought he’d be. Maybe just maybe, if he had had a better stop, he could’ve challenged Harvick and perhaps beat him.
I think Joey has been very focused on his own racing and not the other nonsense that OTHER drivers (for the most part) wanting to stir the pot regarding his talented teammate. This recent incantation of “The Chase” has basically taken a very large portion of rewarding the consistent season performer (in Chase races 26) and reduce the outcome of the last 10 races to alot of luck. He should have had that championship, but his efforts for the whole year with a few select others was meaningless in the way of him not being rewarded by the carrot handed out at Homestead. I do not view a one race “champ” as a champ. Sorry.
Ann,
Everybody has their opinion as to the new format and whether the format truly rewards a champion rightfully. No need to be sorry about that.
As far as what you’re saying, I think Joey has been focused as you say and no doubt was strong throughout the year. He also certainly proved that he is championship material, and quite possibly could’ve had the title had it not been for this particular format.
However, the format is what NASCAR has chosen and each driver/team must figure out how to make it work for them to be champions. Kevin Harvick made it work. Unfortunately, Joey didn’t. Could we solely blame it on the pit stop? Could we blame it on other scenarios throughout Homestead? Absolutely, but it is what it is.
Thanks for stopping by :)