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race review

• Joey Logano started eighth, led 45 laps, but a late-race accident derailed his chances to win, dropping his to the 26th position in the final rundown. Despite suffering damage early in the event, Logano was able to drive to the front and lead 10 different times. NASCAR penalized Logano for forcing competition below the yellow line two laps from the finish of Stage 2, wiping out any chance for him to score stage points. But Logano rallied back into contention until his afternoon ended on lap 189 while jockeying for position in the lead draft, 11 laps from the finish.
• After starting eighth, Logano moved to the lead after three cautions, then hovered around the top-five. He was scored second when the competition caution was displayed at lap 25. Logano was battling for the Stage 1 victory when Aric Almirola was turned sideways directly in front of the No. 22 Mustang, triggering a multi-car incident, and resulting in minor damage for the Shell-Pennzoil Ford. Led by crew chief Paul Wolfe, the No. 22 team made two pit stops during the stage caution for repairs.
• Logano made steady progress forward during the opening laps of the second stage, moving to fourth position before the seventh caution was displayed on lap 88. He reported that the No. 22 Ford needed to be tighter for the rest of the race. While battling for the Stage 2 win, Logano got loose after a push and accidentally forced Matt DiBenedetto below the yellow line, resulting in a penalty, two laps from the finish of the segment and costing Logano valuable stage points.
• During the stage caution, the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil crew made additional repairs. Logano restarted at the rear of the field to begin the final stage on lap 125. He grabbed the lead once again on lap 137 and led the next 12 laps. A caution on lap 149 brought the field to pit road with Wolfe making the call for two cans of fuel and right-side tires.
• Excelled pit work by the Shell team kept Logano in the lead. He remained at or near the front of the pack as the race neared its finish. A caution on lap 184 sent the race into NASCAR Overtime. Logano was leading the race when he was shuffled out of line and involved in a six-car accident on lap 189, which knocked the oil lines loose on the Shell-Pennzoil Mustang. Logano was unable to continue and was credited with a 26th-place finish.

 

quote

“We overcame a lot all day long. Had damage early and the guys did a great job repairing it and that really kept us in a position to win. Unfortunately, I got collected in a wreck before just before the finish and lost oil pressure and couldn’t keep going. It’s disappointing to lead laps in all the superspeedway races this year and not have a win to show for it. I’m proud of the cars that Team Penske brings to these tracks and the power from Roush Yates Engines. We’re always in contention.”

 


YellaWood 500