“It’s Just Bonkers”: Joey Logano Credits Team Penske Veteran’s ‘Risky Move’ for Breaking His 49-Race Winless Streak

The Nashville Superspeedway was heated up for the Ally 400! The victor, Joey Logano, faced a set of challenges that had him locked in a desperate race against time, as his No. 22 Ford sputtered and nearly ran out of gas! But overcoming these obstacles with a push from his team, Logano has truly fought to hold off the fastest car on the track and finally ended the winless drought that he has faced this season.

The dramatic finish at Nashville Superspeedway was nothing short of “bonkers” for the Team Penske veteran, as he navigated a chaotic, record-setting five overtime periods to clinch his first victory of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, and no one is happier than Logano and his team right now!

Finally! A win for Team Penske

The final laps at Nashville Superspeedway were indeed a heart-stopping montage of desperation and triumph for Joey Logano. His No. 22 Ford, a loyal but thirsty steed, faltered like a man on empty fumes. The engine coughed with each corner, the fuel light screaming a frantic warning, everyone on the team had their fingers crossed as they watched crew chief Paul Wolfe urge Logano to keep going!

The victory was nothing short of a big celebration for the crew and fans! Cheers and relieved sighs echoed as Joey comprehended that he made it past the finish line as the winner. Thanking Paul and his fuel man for giving his machine the needed shove to risk it all and make it through the victory lane.

“All the way through, when you think about what it takes to race like this – 30 laps over the scheduled distance. It’s just bonkers to even think!” Logano said in an interview. “It’s actually our fuel man, he packed it (the car) full which is great. Paul had to just keep me out there is a pretty risky move, especially around a cut-around like this. But the rest definitely paid it off today.” This truly was a race to watch!

As he entered Turn 3, the inevitable flickered on the horizon and the tension inside the car grew. Logano anxiously watched as the fuel light turned into a cruel beacon, and the engine sputtered a final protest on the backstretch. But he gritted his teeth, willing the car forward, praying the caution laps had somehow stretched the fuel tank beyond its 85-lap capacity.

It must have been such a heart-racing moment for him to see the finish line loom before him, a cruel mirage if he didn’t make it. But then, it was a miracle! Braving the storm, his car coughed, and lurched, through the checkered flag and pure mayhem erupted, behind him, Chase Briscoe, with his own tank sputtering to a stop. Followed by Daniel Suarez and Martin Truex Jr tangled in a last-ditch effort, while Chase Elliott spun off at Turn four, becoming a victim of the chaotic scramble. Yikes!

But all that matters right now is that Joey Logano crossed the finish line first and came out not just as the winner of this chaotic race that stretched six hours and 31 laps beyond its scheduled distance, but as the victor over a seemingly undying winless streak. More importantly, the win at Nashville wasn’t just a checkered flag; it was a declaration – Joey Logano is back, and his victory lap had just begun.

Logano Breaks his winless streak of 49 points-paying races

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There’s more than one reason to celebrate for the Team Penske fans! This victory at the Nashville Superspeedway for the Ally 400 marks Joey Logano’s 33rd Cup Series win and breaks the curse of the 49-race winless streak, raising his chances for a playoff spot for the 11th time in the last 16 seasons. What a close call it was, though!

Despite having finished in the 21st position in the opening two stages and battling lengthy rain delays, Logano and the No. 22 team executed such an effective strategy when the caution flag flew on lap 205, with crew chief Paul Wolfe making the call for right-side tires and fuel to vault Logano into the top-eight for the ensuing restart. Truly an edge-of-the-seat moment for everyone watching!

While the next couple of races will still determine his playoff chance, Logano’s perseverance and the team’s adjustments to cater to his car have paid off big time, as he evaded another notch to his winless tally with this race! It was truly a well-timed coincidence that the 22 team remained committed to stretching the fuel run as far as it would go, and Logano was able to clear the No. 14 car. This move has seamlessly erased the doubts and questions around his doubtful playoff chance now that he finally had a win.

As the fifth driver to break a long winless streak this season, Logano’s victory adds to the excitement of the 2024 NASCAR season. And this season will just get better and better as the playoffs edge closer.