Logano bumps Truex Jr. from victory

MARTINSVILLE, VA.» Joey Logano earned a shot at NASCAR’s Cup title by using an old fashioned bumpandrun on Martin Truex Jr. to win at Martinsville Speedway. Truex slid sideways across the finish line and promptly declared Logano won’t take his title from him this year.

Logano won Sunday’s opening race to the third round of the playoffs by using the bumper on his Ford to shove Truex out of his way on the final lap. The contact caused both cars to wiggle, but Truex’s slide was nearly sideways while Logano corrected after a swerve and straightened himself out as hurtled across the finish line.

Eight drivers started the day vying for the four spots in the seasonfinale at Homestead Miami Speedway. Now one of the slots is gone, to Logano of Team Penske, and NASCAR’s socalled “Big 3” is still trying to lock down a berth. Truex, along with Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch, dominated the regular season and as a trio were expected to make it to Miami to race for the winnertakeall title.

Instead, Truex wound up third and was among the fans jeering Logano as he was interviewed postrace on the address system.

“We should be in victory lane right now,” said Truex, who stood on pit road alongside his Toyota and gave Logano a double thumbsdown gesture as the crowd booed the winner.

“He may have won the battle, but he ain’t winning the war. I’m not going to let him win it (the championship.) I’m going to win it.”