FORT WORTH, Texas — In a compelling turn of events at Texas Motor Speedway, Joey Logano clinched his first win of the NASCAR Cup Series season, significantly shifting the narrative for Team Penske. This victory comes after a controversial episode the previous week, where Logano expressed frustration over teammate Austin Cindric’s win at Talladega and subsequently faced a disqualification due to technical infractions.
“It feels great to change the storyline,” expressed Logano. Despite starting in the 27th position, he maneuvered skillfully through the pack in Sunday’s race, taking advantage of the final restart in overtime alongside teammate Ryan Blaney, who was positioned on the outside.
Despite an early challenge with a poor qualifying spot, Logano focused on advancing incrementally, saying, “I just got to get into the top 10, top five, and start collecting those points.” His resilience paid off as he seized the opportunity to secure a win, hoping to build momentum for the upcoming races.
During the Texas race, Team Penske drivers showcased dominance, with Cindric leading for a significant 60 laps and capturing the first stage before an unfortunate late-race crash relegated him to 25th place. Ultimately, Logano and Blaney occupied the front row for the decisive restart during the race’s 12th caution. The green-white-checkered finish saw Logano take the lead, while Blaney concluded in third place, marking his best finish this season.
Walter Czarnecki, the vice chairman of Team Penske, dismissed notions that consecutive victories eased pressures, suggesting instead that they lessen the burden. “Now, the mission is to get Ryan Blaney into the playoffs,” Czarnecki noted, acknowledging the strategic advantage of having two cars already secured for the playoffs.
Following the race, Blaney rose to seventh in the Cup standings, with Logano and Cindric positioned at ninth and 14th, respectively. Czarnecki praised the team’s competitiveness over the initial 11 races, confidently positioning them as contenders with a robust performance strategy.
Looking ahead, with 15 points races remaining before the playoffs commence on August 31, Blaney is seen as a potential victor, especially at upcoming tracks like Kansas, Charlotte, Pocono, and Iowa, where he has shown prowess before. His team anticipates more wins, fueled by close collaboration and strong teamwork.
Paul Wolfe, Logano’s crew chief, highlighted the importance of teamwork in today’s racing environment, appreciating the rapport with Blaney’s team throughout the race. “We continue to work together, making us stronger during race day,” Wolfe stated, envisioning further successes in the season.