Logano races to 5th Nationwide win of year

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Joey Logano followed up his Sprint Cup victory at Pocono last weekend with a win on the Nationwide Series on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.

Logano held off James Buescher for his fifth Nationwide win of the year and 14th of his career. He has won four of the last five races in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.

“I’ve just had a lot of confidence in myself lately and my abilities and knowing what I can do,” Logano said. “There hasn’t been an opportunity that we let slip up yet.”

Kurt Busch, back from a one- week suspension, finished third.

There was a red flag with seven laps to go after an accident involving Josh Richards and Jamie Dick. Flames shot briefly out of Dick’s car, but both drivers were evaluated and released after the crash.

Buescher tried to pass Logano on the inside in the final seconds but wasn’t able to.

“We took a shot at it at the end,” Buescher said. “As long as you’re in position, that’s all you can ask for.”

Logano took only a couple questions before leaving for an extra practice for Sprint Cup racers Saturday night. The Cup cars have been exceeding 200 mph this week, and NASCAR made a tire switch for Sunday’s race. Logano was anxious to make it to practice after the Nationwide race, but was told he had to take a couple questions in the media room first.

“It’s killing me right now,” Logano said. “I learned a lot that I need to go work on in my Home Depot car.”

Danica Patrick went into an early spin and finished 18th after a problem- filled race. Pole winner Austin Dillon finished fifth.

Logano led for the final 24 laps. Paul Menard led for 37 laps but finished eighth.