Keeping up the tradition of the Indianapolis Doubleheader for a third season, the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard commenced on Sunday. Wary of the events that played out last year, race officials decided to move the restart zone from the start-finish line to the wider stretch between Turns 13 and 14.
While all precautions were taken to avoid any major wrecks, The Brickyard is notorious for claiming victims. Before the race could even progress beyond its 30-lap slated Stage 1, a Turn-5 incident had fans calling out “undeserving champion,” Joey Logano.
Joey Logano dive bomb saga continues
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With only three races remaining in the regular season, driver tempers were already on edge. After all, many are left in a do-or-die situation to make the playoff cut. Embroiled in the same chase for a playoff spot ever since NASCAR journeyed to Chicago was Kaulig Racing’s #31 driver, Justin Haley.
Securing the 15th spot on the starting grid, Haley looked forward to escaping the lousy slump he was in since Pocono. But luck had other plans for the Kaulig Racing star. As drivers flew under the green flag at Indianapolis, paint-rubbing actions broke out right from the first lap.
While the Lap 1 paint rubs didn’t result in any major incidents, the racing community was not prepared for the events that unfolded in Lap 2.
Successfully clearing the bottleneck-ensuing Turn 1, drivers proceeded to weave around Indy’s road course. Approaching Turn 5 on Lap 2, Justin Haley’s #31 Chevy was on the outside line with Team Penske’s Joey Logano’s on the inside.
While Haley cleared the corner without fuss, Logano’s #22 Ford went over the inside curb, proceeding to smack on the #31 Chevy’s passenger side door. Losing control of his car owing to the impact, Justin Haley drove off the track, sliding across the grass fields into the outer tire barrier. With the left side of his car disfigured by the impact, Haley then proceeded to limp his Chevy back to Pit Road.
Joey Logano into Justin Haley!
Haley INTO the tire barrier!
Watch #NASCAR on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/nq659ibENP
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 13, 2023
Warranting the first caution of the race to be flown, the incident also cost Justin Haley to fall behind a whole lap. Angered by Joey Logano’s blatant action, the NASCAR world then proceeded to demand severe actions against the 2022 Cup Series champion.
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Joey Logano’s Indy antics rile up fans
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Angry wouldn’t even come close to describing the reactions of fans after Joey Logano bumped out Justin Haley. Furiously thrashing their keyboards, fans quickly took to Twitter, having some choice words to say against the Team Penske star.
Terming Logano as an undeserving champion, one fan wrote, “Joey Logano is a f**king chach, Hack of a driver, and an undeserving champion. @joeylogano #JoeyLogano #LoganoSucks”.
Calling for Team Penske’s star suspension for his foul move, another fan commented, “Suspend Joey Logano.”
“Joey Logano needs to get penalized for that. So uncalled for.”
joey logano in the first five laps of the 2023 Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pic.twitter.com/tUpYusyafv
— Josh (@JoshSTL33) August 13, 2023
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“I guess eliminating the competition on the road course is todays strategy. [angry face emoji]”
“it’s impressive how ape brained joey logano goes on the indy road course truly #NASCAR”
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Read More: Kyle Larson Wiping Out a Driver, Pit Lane Mayhem – 5 of the Worst NASCAR Crashes at Indianapolis
What are your views on Joey Logano’s Lap 2 actions at Indy? Let us know in the comments.