Joey Logano Advocates Polarizing NASCAR’s Short Track Change to Pay Off

Joey Logano clocked the fastest time in NCS practice for the Shriners Children’s 500 in his #22 Penske Ford on Friday. But overshadowing his blistering speed is a bigger question mark – the effectiveness of NASCAR’s brand-new short-track package. Designed to reignite close racing and tire-gnawing battles, driver feedback after practice paints a picture of uncertainty. Did months of development culminate in a package that failed to deliver?

While the majority seem unconvinced, Logano, ever the optimist, sees a silver lining in the new ‘diffuser’ package.

Joey Logano Says New Package A ‘Win-Win’ at Phoenix

The headline of the revised short-track package has been the much-talked-about rear diffuser. NASCAR conducted heavy testing in the off-season for a simplified design with fewer vertical strakes and a strake-free engine panel. This aims to allow more air to flow cleanly underneath the tussling V8s, minimizing the expected aerodynamic turbulence. It also acts as a cost-efficient method for teams to make their cars competitive on “short tracks” like Phoenix and Martinsville.

Read More: NASCAR’s Goodyear Experiment at Phoenix Seems to Bust as Practice Results Disappoint

The 2-time Cup Series champion, Logano sees a double-edged sword as well, however, he also emphasized the benefits beyond teams’ on-track performances this weekend.

“It’s better for a few reasons,” Logano shared with SiriusXM’s NASCAR Radio in a recent dialogue. “Okay, if it makes the racing better, Great! But I think like just getting that thing off. That thing is expensive underneath it, a diffuser. I am simplifying that a little bit, saves the team some box which is probably good so it’s kind of a win-win at that point,” he said, highlighting the reduced time it may result in for cars during pit stops.

By “simplifying” the diffuser, Logano echoed the financial benefits for NASCAR in the long run, elaborating, “You know, If the racing is the same and you’re saving money, that’s good if the race is a little better and you’re saving money that double win. So might not be the biggest game-changing thing you’ve ever seen but at least it’s changing and it’s different and we’re trying. So well see what it’s like.”

However, the true test for the package will come on intended tracks like Martinsville and Richmond, known for their tight corners and door-to-door racing. Phoenix Raceway, with its one-mile trioval, isn’t a traditional short track.

Strong Qualifying Not Converting to Wins for #22

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Adding to the uncertainty, several Toyota drivers who found themselves in the top ten after practice, including second-fastest Denny Hamlin and JGR teammate Ty Gibbs, echoed the sentiment of minimal change in car handling. This lack of a significant difference from previous setups has left many drivers, like Logano, cautiously optimistic.

“So we’ll see what it’s like,” Logano reiterated on the TRD drivers’ statements. “I don’t know until we get out there so your guess is as good as mine.”

Logano’s cautious optimism is understandable, considering his strong performance in practice. However, despite his dominance in qualifying this season, with two poles in three races, his overall results haven’t translated to race wins. A DNF at Daytona starting from the front of the pack, followed by a $10,000 pass-through penalty at Atlanta, put him behind early on, after qualifying in P2. Last week at Vegas, while he secured the pole yet again, he could only manage a ninth-place finish due to Kyle Larson’s Sin City dominance.

Read More: Denny Hamlin Disagrees with Teammate as Both Give Contrasting Feedback for the Short Track Package

Can Logano capitalize on the promise of the new package and convert his qualifying prowess into his third pole of the season? We find out at 2:10 PM ET when the qualifiers hits the asphalt to determine the starting positions.