After a Strong Start, Logano’s Day Ends at Turn One Wall

AVONDALE, AZ – MARCH 19: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, wrecks during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on March 19, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Joey Logano started Sunday’s Camping World 500 from the pole and led 82 laps, but his race ended suddenly and dramatically when his right front tire blew as the No. 22 Ford approached turn one on lap 307 of a scheduled 312.

Logano’s misfortune stalled a promising run by Kyle Busch—his adversary from a week ago at Las Vegas—and gave Ryan Newman’s crew chief, Luke Lambert, the opportunity to make the strategic call that won the race.

“We just blew a right front,” Logano said after exiting the infield care center. “Probably just overheated the bead (an analysis Goodyear subsequently confirmed). I’m sure that is what it was. There’s not much you can do when the right front blows out.

“We had a good car in the beginning of the race and then just fell off and got a pit road speeding penalty, and it was hard to get back up there. We were getting closer but our long run speed was off. We have to figure out how to get faster here on the long run.”