Joey Logano Snatches Dramatic NASCAR Cup Series Victory in Texas Overtime

The journey to the pinnacle in Texas was a lengthy one. Joey Logano .

The Team Penske racer saw their fifth-place result at Talladega annulled because of a rule infraction, disrupting their performance over the weekend. Texas Motor Speedway began with a poor showing when he secured the 27th position for the Würth 400 Cup Series race.

A masterclass in navigating around a notoriously challenging track for passing, Logano persevered through 12 caution periods to stay close to the lead until the finish.

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Logano seized the lead from Michael McDowell and appeared set to dominate the race with just four laps remaining. However, McDowell lost his position not only to Logano’s teammate Ryan Blaney but also ended up spinning out as he attempted to reclaim the spot.

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This led to an overtime conclusion with Logano and Blaney beginning at the front row; however, Logano quickly seized the lead and maintained it effortlessly until crossing the finish line.

"Gradually, systematically, two at a time. We faced quite a challenging pit stall issue," Logano stated during his post-race interview on FS1.

“The pit crew did a good job of managing that and just grabbed a couple here and there. The car was fast. I knew that yesterday. We just did a poor job qualifying. Just grinded it. Just keep grinding a couple here and a couple there and eventually get a win here. It’s nice to get one. Real nice.”

Logano’s day almost ended with 96 laps to go when he was running behind Bubba Wallace, who tapped the wall and slowed enough to cause Logano to run into the back of him. Wallace went into a spin and collected several cars, but Logano made it through the melee.

However, the most striking incident during the race occurred on Lap 74 when Denny Hamlin's vehicle began emitting smoke and he started slowing down. As he attempted to return to the pit area the following lap, his car erupted in flames and skidded off course. Despite this, he managed to regain control without colliding and steered the burning car onto the apron before it ultimately stopped functioning.

Logano’s win secured him a spot in the NASCAR Playoffs and moved him from 13th to 9th in the season standings heading into the Kansas race on May 11.

Full Results:

1. (27)  Joey Logano, Ford, 271.
2. (31)  Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 271.
3. (24)  Ryan Blaney, Ford, 271.
4. (4) Kyle Larson with Chevrolet completed 271 laps.
5. (14) Erik Jones with Toyota, completed 271 laps.
6. (34) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driving a Chevrolet, completed 271 laps.
7. (19) Austin Dillon with Chevrolet, completed 271 laps.
8. (28) John Hunter Nemechek, driving a Toyota, completed 271 laps.
9. (16) Christopher Bell with Toyota, 271.
10. (25) Daniel Suarez driving a Chevrolet, completed 271 laps.
11. (32) Todd Gilliland with Ford, 271.
12. (23) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 271.
13. (2) William Byron with Chevrolet, 271.
14. (21) Riley Herbst #, Toyota, 271.
15. (15) Justin Haley driving the Chevrolet completed 271 laps.
16. (29) Chase Elliott, driving a Chevrolet, completed 271 laps.
17. (13) Zane Smith, from Ford, recorded 271.
18. (12)  Chris Buescher, Ford, 271.
19. (20) Cole Custer, driving for Ford, completed 271 laps.
20. (26) Kyle Busch driving a Chevrolet completed 271 laps.
21. (17) Tyler Reddick with Toyota, completed 271 laps.
22. (37) Shane Van Gisbergen #, Chevy, 271.
23. (6)  Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 271.
24. (1)  Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 270.
25. (3)  Austin Cindric, Ford, 268.
26. (5) Michael McDowell of Chevrolet had an accident at lap 265.
27. (22) Chase Briscoe from Toyota had issues with suspension after lap 254.
28. (30) Brad Keselowski, driving a Ford, had an accident, completed 246 laps.
29. (33) Ryan Preece, driving for Ford, was involved in an accident at lap 237.
30. (36) Cody Ware from Ford had an accident at mile marker 237.
31. (35) Jesse Love(i), driving a Chevrolet, was involved in an accident, at mile marker 217.
32. (7) Josh Berry from Ford, with a speed of 187.
33. (9) Bubba Wallace, driving for Toyota, had an accident at lap 179.
34. (18)  Noah Gragson, Ford, Accident, 172.
35. (11)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, Accident, 172.
36. (10)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, Accident, 172.
37. (38)  Chad Finchum, Ford, Accident, 167.
38. (8)  Denny Hamlin, Toyota, Engine, 73.

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