Joey Logano and the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford team started 13th and finished fourth in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The fourth place effort netted the team the second position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final standings for the 2016 season. While the effort was one position shy of the team’s ultimate goal, No. 22 Team Penske crew turned in a championship effort despite facing late race adversity. Logano wasted no time racing his way to the top-five after starting outside the top-10, passing eight cars within the first 30 laps of the event. The Shell-Pennzoil Ford was tight through the center of the corners and lacked forward drive on the opening run, nevertheless, Logano continued moving forward. Crew chief Todd Gordon called for minor air pressure adjustments, and on several occasions small chassis adjustments to keep the No. 22 in check with evolving track conditions. The team stayed within the top-five throughout the majority of the event until a late race restart yielded contact with fellow championship hopeful Carl Edwards. The Shell-Pennzoil Ford received minor damage, and the team, led by Gordon, formulated a strategy under a lengthy red flag to repair the damage. When the caution flag was displayed, Logano pitted from the eighth position for repairs, and as they had all night, the Shell-Pennzoil crew delivered an exceptional four-tire stop and repaired the damage. Car chief Raymond Fox joined the efforts by repairing the right-rear quarter panel. Despite the repairs, the team remained in the eighth position for the ensuing restart. Logano displayed championship determination by moving from eighth to third in one lap. Unfortunately, the caution flag would be displayed once again forcing the race into NASCAR-Overtime. Logano would be forced to restart on the inside line where he was unable to advance on the final restart, bringing the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford home in the fourth position. The Shell-Pennzoil Ford team scored three points victories and won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star race in 2016, on the 50th anniversary season for Team Penske.

“It was eventful to say the least. I hate being that close to a championship and not getting it. The team did a great job all day. We had a good race car and we put ourselves in position to win. No one made any mistakes or anything like that on our pit crew. That last restart, I was hoping to get Jimmie there and trying to get either to the inside or outside of him. I just timed it a little bit wrong to get underneath him. I just didn’t have enough time to get under him. We lost some time there and unfortunately we finish second. The championship means so much and everyone forgets about second place. That is what stinks. But overall I am proud of this team. This will be motivation for next year.”