Joey Logano Jumps in Defense of Daytona 500 Winning Penske Teammate Austin Cindric After He Came Under Criticism for His Treatment of the Checkered Flag

Every racecar driver has a different set of beliefs about what matters and what doesn’t ‘from’ one of their wins. Some like to keep things like their race suits all the way to small mementos like lug nuts. However, there are some who don’t care about such things at all. And recently, NASCAR driver Joey Logano revealed what matters to him.

The Team Penske driver, who won the Clash at the Coliseum, had a disappointing weekend in Daytona. But his teammate and rookie Austin Cindric had the complete opposite experience at the Great American Race than Logano.

Because while Logano finished in 21st place, Cindric sensationally won the Daytona 500. But despite having a disappointing weekend, the 2018 Cup Champion sided by his teammate when one of his post-race actions came under slight scrutiny.

This was after Cindric’s ‘abuse’ of the checkered flag was questioned by a Twitter user, on which a reply suggested that the rookie learned it from his teammate, Joey Logano.

To which Joey Logano made things clear – “We race for the trophies not the flags.”

Joey Logano is ready to embrace the role of a leader at Team Penske

After Brad Keselowski jumped ship to Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, Joey Logano was now the candidate to be the ‘senior’ driver at Penske, the leader. And his recent comments suggest he’s ready for the new role.

“I have this whole motto this year: ‘to do less better,'” Logano said in a recent interview. “Part of that is being a better leader at Team Penske and taking that ball and running with it.”

Joey Logano explained that it’s their responsibility, his and next in seniority, Ryan Blaney’s, to help the two rookies Harrison Burton and Austin Cindric in finding their feet.

“They are rookies and are new to it and we have to help get them going so that we can really share information back and forth, not just one way. That takes time,” Logano said. “It took time for me as a rookie to get my head wrapped around things and it took time for Blaney.” 

“It takes time for everyone.”

Also Read: NASCAR Fans Unhappy With Bubba Wallace for Trying to ‘Stir the Pot’ After Austin Cindric’s Daytona 500 Win