By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Saturday’s Toyota Owners 400 was a good night for Joey Logano, who came into the weekend as the defending winner of the event.
The No. 22 Team Penske Ford started third and drove to the race lead by lap 39, leading and winning both Stage 1 and 2. Logano also led the most consecutive laps of the 402-lapper when he led 73 laps in the first stage.
The night sure was looking like a winning one after a year of struggle and question marks for team No. 22 — most of which were sparked in this race last year where Logano’s victory was deemed encumbered. The penalty proved to cost Logano a playoff spot and still stands as his last win int he Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
“It would’ve been nice to win here a year later, that’d been kind of cool,” Logano said.
Leading 92 laps, his most in a single race since 2016, Logano scored a fourth-place finish when the race went to an overtime finish after a late caution. His ninth straight top 10 at Richmond, the 27-year-old was wanting more after the quick start to the afternoon.
“It’s not really what was on my mind because I’m just thinking of how we can win again,” he said. “I wish we could flip-flop those stages to the end of the race.
“It’s hard to say what [the car] is going to do since we practiced in the day. You’re really just going off your notes. You never really know what you’re going to have.”
With only one finish outside the top 10 in 2018, Logano is ready for anything… even Talladega one week from Sunday. The No. 22, though winless, sits second in points earned after nine races.
“I like short track racing,” he said after the unofficial short track swing. “Honestly, I enjoy all types of racetracks and I love that NASCAR goes to certain kinds over and over again. It’s fun to watch and fun to be a part of.”