Joey Logano started ninth and finished ninth with the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion in Thursday night’s first Duel at Daytona. Logano worked his way inside the top-five early in the event before being forced to pit at lap 12 for a loose right front wheel. When he rejoined the field, Logano ran with teammate Brad Keselowski until the competition caution at lap 25. Crew chief Todd Gordon brought the Shell-Pennzoil Ford down pit road for a four-tire stop, with wedge adjustments to help the handling for Logano in the run to the finish. After restarting 21st, Logano picked up 10 positions on the opening Logano again worked his way to the top-five, avoiding a near collision on the backstretch. On the final restart, Logano battled with the leaders before getting shuffled out of line. Logano was able to climb his way back to ninth place. The team’s finish earned them the 17th starting position for Sunday afternoon’s 59th running of the Daytona 500, and two regular season championship points.
“I was just talking with Todd (Gordon) and trying to figure out where our mistakes were tonight. I made a few on the racetrack. I was up there toward the front and made a move and lost everything I had gained. That one sucked on my part. We also had a loose wheel and need to understand why we had that. We had a couple of mistakes we need to clean up. Besides that, we learned some stuff tonight. We had a pretty good car and to not get a good finish out of it was my fault. But I feel comfortable about the 500. This was a night race, nothing like what the race will be like on Sunday when cars are slipping and sliding a lot more. That is when we will be better.”
