Bob Pockrass
FOX NASCAR Insider
NEW YORK — Joey Logano had no downside hoisting the NASCAR Cup Series trophy and posing for as many photographs as attainable Tuesday in Manhattan.
Whether on the statement deck of the Empire State Building or different notable venues, Logano has been by way of this train earlier than, turning into simply the tenth driver in NASCAR Cup Series historical past to personal three of these trophies.
Logano gained the championship Sunday by holding off Penske teammate Ryan Blaney within the closing laps at Phoenix Raceway.
The 2024 Cup champion spoke to FOX Sports after the Empire State Building picture shoot with the dialog taking many turns, from the wild race automobile crash into pit street barrels to chatter that the playoff format ought to change on condition that Logano was solely fifteenth within the common season standings, the place the championship recreation is anticipated to happen.
How did you have a good time?
Once the media issues have been over, I met the workforce at a restaurant. We all went out, had enjoyable, talked lots concerning the race and actually loved ourselves collectively. (Ryan Blaney’s) 12 guys have been there too, so everybody stayed behind after the race. We appreciated it. I have never been dwelling but, so I can not wait to get dwelling.
Any completely different celebrations (he additionally gained in 2018 and 20220) with three children?
It’s higher. Each championship was sort of its personal factor. When I give it some thought, the latter, you have labored together with your workforce longer, the relationships are stronger and it means extra. And as you become old, you begin to care extra about different folks and seeing them benefit from the second of what this championship is about: the way it’s so onerous to make it occur, however celebrating all collectively is very nice. And clearly, having my children there, my spouse there, that second once I took the checkered flag, is one thing I’ll always remember. And you’ll by no means be capable to replicate that second except you win the championship once more. So it is one thing that on the finish of the day you may have the trophy, you may have all the opposite issues, however these reminiscences will likely be mine eternally – and that is one thing I’ll at all times be very grateful for.
FINAL LAPS: Joey Logano secures his third NASCAR Cup Series title
You talked about how vital the tire take a look at (with two different drivers) was at North Wilkesboro earlier within the yr. Does that imply you need extra testing?
As lengthy because it’s only for us, sure. It’s humorous, as a result of we did that stuff each week. It was onerous work. Now you get excited a few take a look at as a result of you aren’t getting to do it typically. So you may work in your race automobile somewhat. It’s truly enjoyable.
During the race did you see the tempo automobile hit the barrels?
I did not see it.
So they only instructed you and also you mentioned…?
They mentioned, “The tempo automobile hit the barrels.” And I’m like, “What?” I’ve by no means seen something prefer it. I noticed it now. I understand how it occurred, however I do not know why it will occur. But I’ve by no means been red-flagged (in a race) for pace-car prize cash – that was new. Do you realize what the perfect half was? They needed to get an F-150 to care for what the tempo automobile could not do.
Not that Blaney downplayed what you probably did, however he mentioned one thing like everybody ended up doing protection clinics. So do you assume that was one in every of your finest journeys ever, or different folks in your place may need been in a position to do what you probably did?
Probably. You do not know except they have been in that situation. Because everyone seems to be completely different. Because not solely did we’ve a great restart, which was essential, however we managed to carry off (Blaney’s) 12, who was charging fairly onerous on the finish, he was fairly quick. There’s a number of strain. We know what awaits us: it is the championship. That’s all. I do know his recreation plan. I do know what made it good. I raced him earlier within the day, so I knew the place his strengths have been. I knew the place mine have been. And Coleman (Pressley sighting) on the roof did a great job of telling me the place he was and what he was doing, the place he was going at pace. It wasn’t a straightforward factor. But it took all of us to ensure that occurred.
Obviously, you have been requested questions after the sport concerning the title and the way you did not have an important common season, however I’m curious, have you ever been on social media? Have you learn one thing like this? Have you averted it?
I did not have a lot time. And the moments I had, I checked out a number of photographs and materials from our celebrations, aside from what I used to be instructed within the media middle, and a few occasions by way of the media materials at this time, I did not hear a lot about it . But the half I do not perceive is that we have been doing this for 11 years, and everybody thought it was nice, and now that is not the case anymore. What occurred? As if nothing had modified. I do not perceive why, as a racing fan. If I get out of the automobile or simply watch the Xfinity race and the truck stuff, identical format, I believe it is nice. I adore it. Do the common season guys (who’re on the high), get a bonus? Absolutely. It’s additionally fairly giant. Does this imply you possibly can simply use cruise management through the playoffs? No, clearly. Can you go into cruise management in some other sport through the playoffs? No, you will not get to the tip. Why do we have to change the scenario? It does not make sense to me once I hear all this. But no matter. I’ve the trophy. I do not actually care.
You mentioned you grew up dreaming of successful a Cup championship. Do this stuff go the way in which you dreamed they’d, to the purpose the place it seems like successful?
It’s significantly better than you assume. The first 20 minutes from once you cross the end line to once you get out of the automobile, you then drive in victory lane and see everybody there. The first, possibly an hour, is electrical. Not many individuals perceive what it means to achieve the top of their sport. And it hits you want this (snaps fingers). In enterprise, it is nice to do a number of nice issues, but it surely does not hit you that manner. It builds slowly. And it is a sluggish construct for a championship, but it surely hits you in a short time since you cross the beginning and end line, you do not know you have bought it till you get there. So the feelings are so actual, so massive, and also you see the folks you like and the folks you care about, there is no higher feeling I can consider than that. It’s the perfect.
You gained one championship at Homestead and two at Phoenix. Are you interested by the place the championship takes place?
No, I’m not . It’s good that we did it in each. But I do not assume it issues the place the runs are within the playoffs, how you bought to Championship 4. It’s simply the truth that you gained the championship. Everyone is aware of the foundations when the season begins. Everyone is aware of the schedule originally of the season. It’s as much as you to place collectively a plan to win all of it. And we have been in a position to do it. So that is what I give it some thought.
Finally, ought to I choose you for the playoffs subsequent yr after not selecting you for the playoffs this yr?
No. Because this yr it labored nicely.
All proper. I would nonetheless choose you for the playoffs to extend my credibility.
Could you do it now? It’s great things.
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He spent a long time overlaying motorsports, together with greater than 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
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