Joey Logano is able to chase a 3rd NASCAR Cup Sequence championship – greater than prepared.
“I really feel far more ready than I’ve earlier than, which is a good feeling,” Logano stated at Phoenix Raceway. “I felt actually ready in 2022 as nicely. I believe Paul [Wolfe] actually helped with that.”
The Crew Penske ace doesn’t imagine something is completely different for him and his crew because the final time they had been within the championship race. Logano equated it to hitting the repeating button and on the brink of go once more.
Logano and Wolfe had been paired collectively in 2020 and made the championship race, however completed third within the factors. They returned in 2022, profitable the race and the championship at Phoenix.
“I believe Paul’s management has grown – he’s only a element man – and we’re all doing it collectively,” Logano stated. “That’s what the 2 weeks (gave) us the flexibility to do, is to do it collectively. Whereas these different groups which can be sitting up right here, they don’t have the chance to do it collectively as a result of they needed to come out right here and speak to you (media) guys. We’ve had that chance to actually dig by collectively, the place it’s not simply the crew chief and engineers that know, and the drivers are left at the hours of darkness as a result of they weren’t obtainable to be within the conferences.
“We bought to try this. So, there shouldn’t be a shock that comes as much as any of us as a result of we’ve run by numerous eventualities at this level. Plenty of various things. I really feel like it doesn’t matter what occurs, this crew shouldn’t be going to be out of it as a result of this crew goes to be prepared for it.”
The No. 22 crew was the primary to be locked into the championship after profitable in Las Vegas, the opening race within the Spherical of 8. It gave Wolfe and his crew two weeks to dig into the automotive they needed to compete with and discover a means to enhance from their spring efficiency at Phoenix. On that event, Logano completed thirty fourth. He didn’t qualify nicely (twenty third) and was collected in a multi-car wreck within the remaining stage.
“It doesn’t damage,” Logano laughed of Wolfe having further time to organize. “It doesn’t damage in any respect.”
As soon as their championship spot was clinched, the main target turned solely on Phoenix. Logano completed an nameless twenty eighth at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and drove to a quiet tenth at Martinsville Speedway.
“There are some things that you just get to do,” Logano stated of how he spent his time the final two weeks. “One, you focus 100% on one observe. You solely have a sure period of time within the day the place you are able to do one thing, and everybody else has to delegate that point to actually each different observe in addition to Phoenix as a result of you need to get right here first. Whereas we didn’t even care concerning the races they had been speaking about. We had been already onto the subsequent one.
“So, numerous (prep) we did collectively. However personally, I simply watched numerous Phoenix stuff from the previous and went by numerous completely different notes and issues. You take a look at every part and be detail-oriented. Greater than regular. I normally take a look at numerous stuff, however undoubtedly much more on this situation.”
A 3rd championship would have Logano standing alone with probably the most titles among the many energetic full-time Cup Sequence drivers.
