By David Morgan, Associate Editor
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano is in take no prisoners mode as he gears up to battle for a third title on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.
The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford posted the best time of the Championship 4 drivers in qualifying, just missing out on the pole, but securing a front row start with a lap of 26.728 seconds, 134.690 mph.
“I feel like our car is strong. I think we did a good job in qualifying,” said Logano.
“We got them down now. We just have to put our foot on their throats. We feel pretty strong about our team, and these type of pressure situations we feel really solid about as far as our team in these moments.
“So, yeah, we’re just executing our plan. We’ve had two weeks to put the plan together. We’re executing it the best we can now.”
While Logano has the advantage of a front row start, he’ll have the disadvantage of an unfavorable pit box selection after his team failed pre-qualifying inspection twice before passing on the third go- around. As a result, Logano’s team will not have the chance to pick their own stall and will have to deal with whichever one is left.
There’s nothing I can do about it, right? I have to focus on my job. That’s out of my hands what goes on with that stuff,” Logano said.
“Obviously when it comes down to this, everyone is pushing and trying on get as much as they can. We thought we fixed it enough the first time, and we didn’t. Then you have to fix it even more so to really make sure you make it through.
“So just pushing the edge and just didn’t quite get by with what where he thought was okay, but obviously it was too far.”
William Byron will start eighth as the second-best Championship 4 driver with his lap of 26.822 seconds, 134.218 mph.
“It sucks just didn’t quite get the second lap I wanted to there in the second round, so bummed about that, but I feel really good about our race car. Get first pit pick, which is huge. So excited for all those things,” said Byron.
“Just, yeah, trying to put together a good start to the race, but really it’s such a long race. It’s just going to be about trying to get to the finish and have what you need there.”
Despite not quite having the run he would have liked in qualifying, Byron remains confident he will be able to go from the last driver to secure a spot in the Championship 4 to a title in Hendrick…
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