Joey Logano was the highest finishing Ford racer at Sonoma. (Photo: Aaron Brink | The Podium Finish)
SONOMA, Calif. – While Team Penske is a perennial contender at most tracks in the NASCAR Cup Series, Joey Logano and his Team Penske comrades fought an uphill battle at Sonoma Raceway.
Despite having a strong road course specialist in Austin Cindric, the steady, consistent Ryan Blaney and a past road course winner in Logano, the winning motorsports organization lacked speed during the 110 lap race at the FIA Grade 2 track.
Starting from the 17th position, the two-time Cup champion understood his assignment of methodically working his way up the leaderboard. While Stage 1 was a bit of a struggle, dropping to a 20th place result, the driver of the No. 22 Autotrader Ford Mustang kept after it in Stage 2.
With a variety of pit strategies for the lead lap contenders, Logano and the Team Penske brigade parlayed track position to net nine valuable stage points with a runner up result. Suddenly, a difficult weekend at the 1.99-mile, 12-turn road course looked promising.
A longer Stage 3 combined with a race playing out naturally in terms of strategies and smart driving played into the Middletown, Connecticut native’s hands. Although it may not be an instant classic for the defending Cup champion, tallying a third place result was almost like a victory when all was said and done.
Certainly, Logano knew it would be a tough race on Sunday afternoon. However, he and his No. 22 team were more than up for the challenges.
Logano maximized his race day in Stages 2 and 3 at Sonoma. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
“You start in the back, you’re gonna get beat up a little bit,” Logano said. “Overall, I’m very proud of the Autotrader team today. (Saturday) was ugly for all the Penske cars, but Paul (Wolfe, Logano’s crew chief) made some good adjustments and got it to where we were top five speed, legit, and we just had to get there.”
Despite lacking race win contending pace, it was all about being best in class for the Ford Performance camp. On that front, it was mission accomplished for the cagey veteran.
“He made a great call with a four-stop strategy and getting a lucky caution and getting through everything, so luck was on our side a little bit, but also a decent car,” he said. “It was nothing to go up there and win with, but we maximized the last two weeks and I’m proud of that, so we’ll go into the off week with a bit of momentum.”
Solid execution and teamwork played a helping hand with Logano’s strong Sonoma finish. (Photo: Aaron Brink | The Podium Finish)
Much like Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus or Dale Jarrett and Todd Parrott, the strong chemistry between Logano and Wolfe, namely with extracting the attainable maximum, is prevalent. Without a doubt, Logano expressed gratitude about his podium and the calls by Wolfe and company following Round 16 of the season.
“Absolutely, and just overall as a team we did a pretty decent job,” Logano said. “Paul made some great calls, but also made some great changes. I kind of felt like doing a burnout after our day. That felt pretty good. Great execution. We got the car a lot better last night where I could at least hang in the top five.
“We got lucky a few times today. One with the strategy, but also we got hit by the 45 (Tyler Reddick) and knocked the tire off the bead, but somehow it’s holding air, so we got pretty lucky today and got through it.”
