Race Weekend Central

Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Freshmen Perform Almost as Bad as the Michigan Economy

If Joey Logano fans can be patient for just a few more weeks, they may start to see the results they expected when their young driver was named as the driver of the No. 20 Camry. The rookie has consistently improved in the second half of each race since the middle of April, enough to safely speculate that adapting to the track in these new cars are his biggest challenge at the moment. Once Independence Day weekend rolls around, Logano will start seeing tracks for the second time this season, and I fully expect him to be much faster at the start of the race – which should translate into consistent top-15 finishes at the end.

Beyond the Cockpit: Joey Logano Discusses an Encounter With Kyle Busch, His Toughest Track & Driving for the Coach

For the past couple of years, NASCAR fans everywhere have heard about a young driver who was supposed to be the next best thing since “Sliced Bread.” That driver, of course, is 19-year old Joey Logano, who’s been trying to live up to the hype ever since Mark Martin first “discovered” him at age 15. …

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Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Joey Logano & Greg Zipadelli Ride New Rules to Pocono’s Top Rookie Prize

Joey Logano Start: 23rd; Finish: 23rd Summary: Not even a dominant victory in Saturday’s ARCA Re/Max Pocono 200 could prepare Logano for the “Tricky Triangle” – Sprint Cup style. The rookie, who saw Pocono for the first time in his career this past weekend, was given the chance to earn valuable experience in Bill Venturini’s …

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Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Joey Logano’s Improvement Continues With Help From Miles the Monster

Joey Logano Start: 21st; Finish: 15th Summary: After struggling throughout much of practice, Logano was able to qualify his Home Depot Toyota in the middle of the pack for the Autism Speaks 400. As it turned out, his starting spot was actually quite good considering how tight the car was. Logano struggled mightily with the …

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Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Joey Logano Earns 3rd Top-10 Finish at the “Lake at Lowe’s”

Joey Logano Start: 14th; Finish: 9th Summary: Logano rolled off the starting grid in the 14th position when the green flag finally waved for the Coca-Cola 600 on Monday afternoon. The rookie, who just turned 19 years young on Sunday, celebrated by keeping his name mixed with the leaders for virtually the entire afternoon. By lap …

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Sprint Cup Rookie Report: The Lady in Black Can’t Take a Bite Out of “Sliced Bread”

Joey Logano: Start: 5th; Finish: 9th Summary: On Friday afternoon, Logano turned in his best career Sprint Cup qualifying effort, surprising observers when he clocked in with the fifth-quickest time. On Saturday night, their eyebrows were raised once more as the rookie proved his Home Depot Camry was fast for more than just one lap. …

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Rookie Report: Joey Logano, Marcos Ambrose Bruised in Battle But Win the War in Richmond

Joey Logano: Start: 13th; Finish: 19th Summary: Logano rolled off the grid in the 13th position for the Crown Royal presents the Russ Friedman 400, his third best start of the 2009 season. But unlike his previous two top-15 qualifying efforts (ninth at Daytona and 10th at Texas), the rookie was able to hang with the …

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Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Rookies Find Checkers, Not Wreckers at ‘Dega with Keselowski, Speed, Logano Mastering Draft

Brad Keselowski Start: Ninth; Finish: First Summary: Brad Keselowski raced the Aaron’s 499 in the same manner as one would want to play a game of poker. After starting in the top 10, Keselowski spent much of the afternoon darting to the front of the pack, only to fall off the pace soon thereafter – …

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Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Out With the New & In With the Old for Phoenix Freshmen

Joey Logano Start: 31st; Finish: 21st Summary: Last Friday, Joe Gibbs Racing president JD Gibbs put to rest the rumors that had his team’s rookie driver out of a job before the end of his first season. But it looked like even a vote of confidence from the boss wasn’t going to be enough to …

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Sprint Cup Rookie Report: Doomsday Looms Large Leaving Texas as Rookies Face Uncertain Futures

Joey Logano Start: 10th; Finish: 30th Summary: The weekend started out strong for the Joe Gibbs Racing newcomer when he recorded his second best Sprint Cup qualifying effort and his best under “normal” procedures (Logano’s career-high is a ninth-place start earned through the Gatorade Duels for the 2009 Daytona 500.) But 10th would be as …

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