Logano holds off Harvick in NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Joey Logano raved all weekend about the new “Awesome Sauce” at Phoenix Raceway, which was the driver’s nickname for the substance that was put on the mile oval to improve grip for tires and make for better racing.
The sauce did its job during an entertaining show Sunday and so did Logano, who raced to his second NASCAR Cup Series win in three weeks by holding off Kevin Harvick during a two-lap overtime restart.
“That was a pretty intense last 30 minutes or hour of the race. A lot going on,” Logano said. “Couldn’t be more proud of this team. Two wins already in the books. We got to keep this thing rocking.”
Also the winner two weeks ago in Las Vegas for Team Penske, Logano has 25 career Cup victories. He overcame several tough moments, including a pit-road penalty for an uncontrolled tire and a broken jack during another stop.
A late caution triggered the two-lap overtime shootout with Logano, Harvick and Kyle Busch all in a decent position to win. Logano had a good restart at the mile oval and was able to hold off Harvick. Busch was third, Kyle Larson finished fourth and Clint Bowyer was fifth.
“Really cool to be able to race clean and hard, it’s a lot of fun,” Logano said. “Kevin is one of the best racers who has every strapped into a race car and a stock car in particular. He’s a Hall of Famer, to say the least. When you line up against him at the end of the race you know it’s going to be a heck of a battle.”
Pole-sitter Chase Elliott and Harvick dominated the first half of the race but Elliott had to make a greenflag stop because of a loose front tire and fell a lap behind the leaders. He eventually earned a free pass to get back on the lead lap and finished seventh.
On top of the improved track surface, the Phoenix race was the first under NASCAR’s new rules package for short tracks, which included a significantly smaller rear spoiler. The hope was all the changes would make for more passing and excitement during the race.
The tweaks seemed to have their desired effect. There were 20 lead changes and plenty of passing and contact back in the pack. Phoenix also is the site of the Cup Series championship in November.
“Hats off to NASCAR for collaborating with the teams, the track and putting on a way better race than what we saw here last year,” Logano said.
Elliott started on the pole while Harvick — who has won nine times in Phoenix — also was on the front row. Elliott led the first 61 laps of the race before Harvick beat him off pit road following the first caution.
Harvick had his fourth top 10 finish in four races, but was disappointed he couldn’t get past Logano at the end.
“Joey was just good enough to run a couple laps there and get where I needed to be on track position,” Harvick said.