The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
NASCAR title victor a native son
Town’s proclamation: ‘Personifies true meaning of champion’
PORTLAND — It’s the ultimate “local boy makes good” story, and now, it’s been topped off with a declaration from his hometown honoring a remarkable achievement.
Joey Logano out-maneuvered, out-fought and just flat out outraced three top-flight competitors Sunday to win the NASCAR Cup Series title.
“I’ve worked my whole life to get here,” The New York Times quoted Logano as saying after he guided his yellow-and-red No. 22 Ford Eco Boost across the finish line at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. He sealed his victory by edging out Martin Truex Jr. with 12 laps to go in the 267-lap race.
“The people of Portland are very, very proud of Joey Logano,” First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said Tuesday afternoon of the man whose roots run deep in the riverfront town.
He’d come close before: In 2016, the now 28-year-old Logano finished as the runner-up in the championship, which one longtime fan described as “the top of the top” in NASCAR racing.
The Times labeled that second-place finish “disappointing.” But in the same story, Logano said, that setback prepared him for this year’s clincher.
Monday, as Logano was basking in the glow of his achievement, 1,420 miles to the north Executive Secretary Michelle Ceppaglia sat down at her desk in Portland Town Hall. Working with Bransfield, Ceppaglia began crafting a proclamation honoring Logano for “his outstanding achievements as a successful professional NASCAR driver and contributor to his community.”
Ceppaglia outlined Logano’s background, mentioning his parents, sister, wife Brittany and the couple’s 10-month-old son, Hudson. The proclamation also touches upon the Joey Logano Foundation, which “invests in organizations offering second chances to children and young adults during times of crisis, and works to inspire others to live a life of generosity,” according to its website.
The town “is honored to pay tribute to Joey Logano, who personifies the true meaning of ‘champion,’ and whose dedication and genuine commitment is a source of inspiration of everyone,” the proclamation says.
The document closes with Bransfield declaring it “an honor and pleasure to acknowledge Joey Logano as one of our shining stars” and proclaiming Nov. 19 “Joey Logano Day.”
“This is a major accomplishment in his sport, and we couldn’t be prouder of him,” Bransfield said.
Following Logano’s win Sunday, Bransfield said she was “approached by many of our residents” who said they hoped the town would take public notice of his victory.
The proclamation was issued Monday “because we wanted everyone to stop and think about what an accomplishment this was, and because Monday was the closest date we could get to his victory,” she added.
The next few weeks are likely to be hectic for Logano as he travels to Las Vegas for the formal presentation of the trophy. Nevertheless, Bransfield said she has invited him to “come and visit Portland so we can celebrate some more.”
“He has a wonderful lineage in Portland, and he always returns to Portland and to his roots,” she said.
As just one measure of the town’s connection to Logano, Bransfield said, “Every time Joey has a big race,” the Rev. Paul Boudreau (of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church) “asks us to pray for him.”