Logano wins at Talladega, snaps skid

TALLADEGA, ALA.» Joey Logano won at Talladega Superspeedway to end a nearly yearlong losing streak.

Logano’s last victory was April 30 of last year at Richmond but his car failed inspection, the benefits from the victory were stripped and it cost him a shot in the playoffs.

On Sunday, he made sure that losing streak didn’t hit a full year.

“It feels so good to be back in victory lane. There’s no feeling like that,” Logano said. “It’s been a long time coming. We knew the win was right around the corner. I don’t have to worry about the whole playoffs thing anymore. We’re in!”

He had one brief challenge from Kurt Busch, who pulled out of line in traffic and tried to catch Logano but had no help from a drafting partner and could not get the lead.

Logano screamed “we’re back!” on his radio as he crossed the finish line.

It is Logano’s third career win at Talladega.

Busch finished second, his career best finish at Talladega, as Ford drivers went 1-2.

Chase Elliott was third in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, while Kevin Harvick was fourth in a Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was fifth, David Ragan sixth and Aric Almirola seventh as Ford drivers took six of the seven spots.

Elliott said the Fords had too strong and steady of a strategy for him to have any chance at making a move to catch Logano.

Martin Truex Jr. of Denverbased Furniture Row Racing, didn’t finish the race.