Joey Logano Defends his Win in NASCAR Cup Race at Las Vegas

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service

Joey Logano celebrates winning the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. — LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 23: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on February 23, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS – In a final two-lap scramble that ended with a multicar crash on the frontstretch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it was Joey Logano finding a way to defend last year’s victory in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 NASCAR Cup Series race.

Joey Logano sped away after a restart on lap 266 of 267 and led runner-up Matt DiBenedetto to the finish under caution to win for the second time at Las Vegas, the first time this season and the 24^th time in his career, breaking a tie with Ricky Rudd for 35^th all-time.

To further clarify, Logano was one of seven lead-lap drivers who stayed out on older tires when Ross Chastain’s spin in turn two brought out the eighth caution of the afternoon on lap 261. That yellow flag changed the complexion of the race.

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Rain Cancels Vegas Qualifying; Inspection Issue Sends Kyle Busch from Pole to Rear

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service

LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 22: The crew of NASCAR Cup Series driver Erik Jones (20) Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Toyota Camry wait in the rain to get their race car through tech inspection Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Will Lester/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

LAS VEGAS – A persistent drizzle at Las Vegas Motor Speedway forced the cancellation of Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Accordingly, the starting field has been set according to the rule book, with the cars set to line up according to the final 2019 owner points. That puts Kyle Busch on the pole, with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. on the outside of the front row.

Because of inspection issues, however, Busch will drop to the rear for the start of the race. Racing to the front could be a huge issue for the reigning series champion, given handling issues that plagued the No. 18 Toyota during Friday’s practice sessions.

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Can Hendrick Overcome the Aero Issues Jimmie Johnson Exposed at Vegas?

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service

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AVONDALE, Ariz. – During the opening laps of last Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Jimmie Johnson looked like the driver who has won 83 races and a record-tying seven Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships.