LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 31: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on May 31, 2019, in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Joey Logano’s dominant win in Monday’s rain-delayed race at Michigan International Speedway was a non-too subtle reminder that the reigning Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion is every bit up for a title defense.
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 10: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 10, 2019, in Brooklyn, Michigan. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series was rained out on Sunday and forcing a reschedule to Monday evening with drivers their talent to the Irish Hills of Michigan International Speedway. This two-mile course holds four large, sweeping corners that can cause irritating problems for race teams. Many fans predicted this year’s aero-package to thrive on the typically fast track.
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 10: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 10, 2019 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Given the statistics, you might think Joey Logano ran away with Monday’s rain-delayed Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
Yes, Logano led 163 of 203 laps at the two-mile track in the Irish Hills. He had the fastest car in qualifying on Saturday and the fastest car in the 15th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event of the season.
TALLADEGA, AL – APRIL 28: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Mountain Dew/Little Caesar’s Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 28, 2019 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series ran full throttle Sunday in the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. It has been two weeks since the last race, and it was obvious that these drivers were itching to get at it again. Talladega Superspeedway was the perfect place to race after coming out of the break.