via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 08: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, looks on from the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 08: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, looks on from the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 08, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Recently, Corey LaJoie and Joey Logano exchanged a bit of banter between themselves. Apparently, the two of them joked that when the Next Gen car takes to the track, he would drop the letter ‘Y’ in his name. Needless to say, he went ahead and carried out his promise. So, his car had ‘Joe Logano’ emblazoned on the side of the #22 machine.
On a more serious note, Logano had plenty of positive things to say about the Next Gen car. To be perfectly honest, there were a few issues related to heat and steering, around the Roval. The Team Penske outfit was one of 21 teams to take to the track at the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course.
So @joeylogano and I joked about when the new car comes out that he’s going to drop the “Y” and be “Next Gen Joe”. Let it be known that Next Gen Joe starts TODAY. pic.twitter.com/KiVDPOQTWF
— Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) October 12, 2021
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According to reports, the heating problems cropped up at the test at Daytona. The steering issues were only a recent development and came up during the Roval test. Fortunately, the ones’ in charge of the cars were able to get to the bottom of the situation. So, by Tuesday, everything was running smoothly.
What did Joey Logano say?
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Speaking after testing, Logano said, “I think on the road courses we’re not far off. I think you can line us up and go. I think we’ve proven in the last year or two – whatever, just line us up and race. I always go back to Daytona (Road Course) last year when we showed up with no practice on a brand new race track that none of us had ever raced on. That’s the craziest thing I ever heard and we were fine.”
USA Today via Reuters
May 23, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Joey Logano (22) during qualifying in the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Next Gen testing aside, Joey Logano is also locked in a fierce battle for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series. At the moment, he and his teammates, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney, are facing two Hendrick and three Joe Gibbs drivers. Logano has won the title in 2018, but will not be opposed to having a second title under his belt.
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The same applies for Keselowski, defending champion, Chase Elliott and Martin Truex, Jr. Meanwhile Kyle Busch hunts for his third Cup Series crown, while Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson want a maiden title.
READ MORE: “We’re Making Gains” – Joey Logano Delivers His Verdict on the Next Gen Cars
