Joey Logano clinched the first spot in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4, by winning the First Data 500 in Martinsville, Virginia on Sunday. The win marked Logano’s first win at Martinsville and 20th career Cup victory.
“Congratulations to Joey, Roger, and Team Penske” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Joey and the crew battled hard all day and with a great team effort by the No.22 crew, put Joey in an excellent position to win. We are glad to be in a position to race for the Championship for Ford.”.
The Ford Performance and Roush Yates Engines powered Ford Fusions led the most laps of all manufacturers for a total of 351 laps out of the 500-lap race. Logano led the field with 309 laps and collected the Stage 2 win on his way to winning his second race of the season. .
“That was just a hard-great race,” commented Logano in Victory Lane. “NASCAR racing at its finest. Now the next two weeks we think about Miami and nothing else. We have to go there and be ready and be prepared for it. One step at a time. We are going to enjoy this moment first and then we will worry about Miami tomorrow.” .
A late race caution, on lap 462, brought a majority of the field into the pits. The fast work of the No.22 crew put Logano out first, ahead of the No. 18 Kyle Busch. Logano launched the No.22, with a strong restart, to take the lead. Logano held the lead, fighting off stiff competition from teammate Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr. In an all-out drag race to the finish, the No. 22 took the checkered flag ahead of Danny Hamlin and Truex. .
It was four Fords finishing in the top-10 of the First Data 500. Team Penske’s Logano race winning effort was followed by teammate Keselowski in fifth and Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Kurt Busch in sixth and Kevin Harvick tenth..
Going into the mile and a half track of Texas Motor Speedway the Ford drivers line up in P1 Logano, P4 Harvick, P5 Busch, P7 Clint Bowyer, and P8 Aric Almirola in the NASCAR Playoff Driver Standings. The NASCAR MENCS, Xfinity, and Camping World Truck Series all return to action at Texas Motor Speedway this upcoming weekend..
RYE PR
