Logano aims for more than just popularity
He is looking to improve chances at breaking into playoffs
LOUDON, N.H. — Joey Logano, raised in nearby Connecticut, can always count on top billing when he races at what counts as his hometown track.
Take a walk at the New Hampshire fan zone and Logano’s name is on the marquee high above the ground for the film “Cross-Threaded.” Logano stars with drag racer Robert Hight in a trailer for the faux film that centers on the buddy team searching for the missing Golden Lug Nut.
“Turn right!” Hight urges during a high-speed chase.
“I can’t! I don’t know how!” Logano says.
Cut to the next scene, the drivers watch in mock shock, the car engulfed in flames.
Yes, the preview clip lived up to its rated Triple AAA rating for bad acting and cheesy catchphrases. Fans waiting in line to collect Logano bobbleheads got a kick out of the film and perked up when it was announced Logano would appear today to sign autographs.
“I’d be here nice and early,” the cheery MC announced.
Logano, a native of Middletown, Conn., will surely find a line a few hours before he slides into the No. 22 car for today’s race. Site of his first career Cup win, Logano has always enjoyed a robust following at the speedway.
“I feel like I am Dale Junior because everybody likes me,” Logano said, referencing NASCAR’s most popular driver.
Logano needs more than sitting atop the NASCAR Q Score among New England race fans as he makes a push for one of the final playoff spots.
The 27-year-old Logano is seven points outside the 16-driver field to secure a spot in NASCAR’s version of the postseason. Most drivers
usually automatically qualify for a spot with a victory, but not Logano. NASCAR essentially stripped him of all benefits that came with his April win at Richmond because of a rear suspension violation. His win stands in the record book but he was docked significant points and his crew chief was suspended.
Logano reeled off six topfive finishes in the first nine races that ended at Richmond. Since his team was busted, Logano posted just two top-10 finishes over the last nine races and four times he finished 25th or worse.
He’ll start 13th today — about in the middle of his 24th and seventh starting spots he had for his two victories.
XFINITY SERIES: In Loudon, Kyle Busch dominated yet again to win the NASCAR race Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Busch won for the third time
this season and 89th time in his career in the second-tier series.
He wasn’t challenged much late after an early-race duel with fellow Cup regular Brad Keselowski.
Keselowski led 102 laps but had nothing for Busch down the stretch.
INDYCAR: Simon Pagenaud took the pole Saturday for the IndyCar race today at Exhibition Place.
Pagenaud had a trackrecord lap of 58.9124 seconds at an average speed of 109.138 mph on the 1.786-mile street course for his first pole of the season and 10th overall.
The Frenchman, the winner this year on the oval in Phoenix, gave Team Penske its eighth pole in 11 races this season.
“It was a really good lap, one of the best I’ve ever put together,” Pagenaud said. “Certainly, there is not much more in it, but the whole qualifying I worked on details and driving.”
F1: In Silverstone, England, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took the pole position for the fifth time at the British Grand Prix, ahead of Ferrari rivals Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel in rainy conditions.