Was It Joey Logano? Or Was It the Car?

Although I strongly believe this kid appears to have incredible driving skills, I do believe the car was also a 'huge' benefit and played a major role in assisting him with his victory. Same goes for driver's like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards etc.. You can have the best talent on the track, but without an awesome car, crew chief and pit crew, you're screwed.....

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I think he's a great talent! He has won in every class of car he's ever raced. I think you do need good equipment but Joey has prooved he can win in equipement that is not up to par too.

He's going to be a strong force in the cup series when he is allowed in by the Gibbs camp. I'm a big fan! Kyle B and Joey L, JGR has a very bright future ahead.

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There has been rumors going around about TONY STEWART living JGR.I still do not believe it,unless tony will start his own nazcar team.
But than i been watching JOEY LUGANO coming on the scene fast and magnificient to replace a big name like TS and i think,unless they (at gibbs) are preparing for launching a 4th car team in the cup the rumors might become reality.This logan kid will explode faster and bigger than KYLE BUSH, the way i see it and to dress it all, he does not even have yet the cacky attitude that all the kyle bashers have been talking about. Works for me.

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I read today that Gibbs has stated that they will run Logano is some Cup races towards the end of the season, and he also said that it's too late to start a fourth Cup team for next year, so if you read between the lines, someone may be out and someone may be sliding in. I think Tony will be gone from JGR and it will be Logano replacing him. I think as talented as Logano has shown in winning two poles and a race in just three starts and with them already announcing that they'll run in some Cup races towards the end of the year, the writings on the wall. Another element i factor into this is that with that new COT for the Nationwide coming in next year, it's going to restrict the teams that want to stay in Nationwide as JR Motorsports, JTG Racing, and Braun Racing have stated their uncertainty of being in the Nationwide series next year as the financial burden of switching to the new car, so i could see Gibbs shutting down their Nationwide program next year as well. Plus, Tony could make so much more money than he's making at JGR and be back aligned with his heart's fav, Chevy, and he may not even have to drive for himself. Yea, he could get ownership, but that doesnt mean he'd have to drive for himself. He could pull a Dale Sr, who was pretty damn smart, and drive for someone else and run the team, and i'd say Haas could use the money since being in prison. I think he'd fit great in either cereal car, whether it's the #5 Kellogg's Hendrick car with his buddy Dale Jr, or in the #33 Cheerios RCR Chevy with his other buddy Kevin Harvick, and whichever he drove for he could get his engines from them, and both the RCR or Hendrick cars would be better than driving the 70 or 66 rides.

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Dude?? Hey, Geoffrey Miller! Being a former Connecticut NASCAR short track driver myself and also knowing a bit of Joey's history and his family's dedication and integrity, I have one simple comment - at 18, he's already a 12 year racing veteran, and the "real deal." Don't embarrass yourself and let someone who knows racing write critical comments.

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Look, Logano has talent, no doubt, and there are a ton of other drives out there with as much or more. But the fact is, you can put a chimpanzee in a JGR car and he is going to finish top 5, end of story. Logano did well last year in the East series, but he also ran a traction control system (which NASCAR refused to acknowledge admist some funny looking burnouts), and ran a cheated motor in Iowa to beat Kevin Harvick (beating a Cup driver in a development series does wonders for you career, especially right after he wins the All-Star Challenge). Ofcourse NASCAR isn't going to punish JGR for the infraction due to the fact they are pumping a lot of money into that series, which frankly, needs it. The Logano family are nice people, but there came a price tag at JGR to have that kid groomed there. So to answer the question, is it the kid or the car. I would say car. My Grandmother could've won that race last week in that car.

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Hey, Brad, i assure you i am no longer a JGR fan anymore, although i admit i really wanted to see my driver Jr there last year in the 18 car, of course when they were Chevy's, but Logano does have potential, and i've had to admit that after what ive seen the past three months. Every thing he gets into, he wins in, and not all of it has been JGR equipment. He drove for Billy Venturini's team in the ARCA race a couple months ago at Rockingham, and completely dominated in their Chevy. I usually dont buy into Mark Martin's future prospects of drivers such as his prediction of Regan Smith being a great future up and comer, but Logano has talent. Ill admit, to have Greg Biffle replace Tony Stewart would be a better option than Logano in my opinion, but JGR are known for not paying their drivers very well(a bunch of cheapskates from what i hear) and with Logano already there, i think they'll go ahead and pull the trigger on Logano cause he'll be cheaper to put in that car and with Home Depot financial troubles lately, it will be cheaper on them to do that instead of paying the money of a Tony Stewart or Greg Biffle would demand. Plus, i have to say i really hoping and still expect to see Tony gone as he's the only one i can tolerate at JGR and that suprises even me! And if Logano takes it over, right now i'd like him about as much as Denny Hamlin, and Denny has been a complete jackass!

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Miller and everyone who thinks the car won that race needs a shrink. The boy is good very good. If you think your grandmother could have won in that car you must be on something. Granted JGR car are fast but you have someone special in Logano. He has a bright future in front of him. Give the kid a break.

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Joey is a talent indeed but even I am starting to wonder what the heck is under the hoods of the JGR cars this season. I have read many grumblings that they are getting a higher horsepower advantage due to switching to Toyota and trying to make Toyota competetive. I would say if that's the case, they proved their point. Now on to racing equally with the rest!

I am not one for conspiracy theories but it is odd indeed that after a horrible showing in their (Toyotas) first year in stock car racing (2007), they have come out of the gates with guns a blazing this year.

Regarless, Joey is talented, yes. He will be more successful than Kyle Busch in my opinion because he seems to have a good head on his shoulders and a good attitude, too.

And CJ, as far as Stewart is concerned, I agree. In fact, I predict he will end up at Hendrick, either replacing Mears or with Hendrick getting a fifth team by next year. Great call if so IMO. :-) We'll see!

Kim

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HI KIM, ALTHOUGH, MY PROBLEM IS:
I still do not want to believe it, i'm beginning to think you have been right all along about TONY jumping ship from GIBBS.Something is defenetely under tony S. sleeves.and possibly like CJ said in another blog he is headed to HMS or RCR to drive, but he is also starting hisv own team.What i do not understand is, if he wants to start his own team, why doesn't he stay at JGR wheech have been more competitive than RCR and on even scale if not better
(this year) than HMS.It does not make sense for any driver to quit a top team unless there are major problems suddenly between him and the gibbs or they won't allow him to field his own team.However,if he ends up at HMS, it will be to replace CASEY SMEARS,
not to start a 5th car team. I'M sure you know about
NAZCAR not allowing 5 teams not more.Remember ROUSH
had to dispose of the 5th car under nazcar rules?
TEI merged with the other (winn racing,i think it was named and they had to limit their 3cars they were already fielding plus only one added from the new WINN outfit (mark martin, later switched in to the vacate junior #8 car.Hard mistery to solve this stewart story, with everybody of ther pledging OMERTA'(that is the mafia code of silence).

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OH p.s, if he has to leave JGR, I HOPE he ends up at HMS more than RCR. HMS is defenetely a better team than RCR has been lately.The engine problem at TEI, involves RCR building them since last year engine program merging between TEI/ RCR.
At RCR TONY is friend with HARWICK only that i know.
At HMS, tony ,jeff, jimmy, dale, all have been friends for a long time. Works for me...
anna seitter.

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I agree with you anzajoe, i hope Tony ends up at Hendrick as well, and although alot of people think it would hurt the sport to have all the best talents on one team, i disagree. I think you'd have a rivalry within an organization. Im sure if it came down to the wire, yea, Jeff might help Tony or Dale Jr and vise versa, and if Tony can stomach being Kyle Busch's teammate, then anyone if fair game to work with him, but i think if it came to it, it'd in a since be Hendrick Shop A vs. Hendrick Shop B, the 48 & @4 shop wanting to outdo and outperform the 5 & 88 shop, not necessarily a civil war, but bragging rights among shops. Yes, Hendrick would have a win/win in the situation, but i still think Jr and Tony would love to outdo Jimmie and Jeff and vise versa. I will say though, that i'd still rather see Tony drive for RCR over driving for his own team, but out of all three, Tony in the 5 car would be the best option and i still see Jr and Tony buying Haas and running it together, getting engines from Hendrick, especially since Jr is talking about moving his Nationwide team to Cup next year, maybe have sponsors of the Navy and Bass Pro Shops on the cars and Brad Kelwoski, Martin Truex Jr or maybe they move Casey Mears to that team to make room for Tony in the 5, but i think those are a couple options to drive for them. And i hope it doesnt happen, but Childress said when he was mentioning possible drivers for his 33 team, that he's keeping an eye on what happens with Mears, and if they do replace Mears with Stewart, that RCR could hire Mears for the 33 car, and if they do that, then the 33 car will be missing some races next year. I was hoping that Bobby would go to the 33 car, but since he's now off the market, the guy with alot of talent in my opinion who needs better equipment is Reed Sorenson, i'd love to see him end up there and with him being replaced at Ganassi this weekend, i think the writing is on the wall.

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Here's my updated hope of what next year's line up looks like for silly season:

20 car- Joey Logano with Home Depot/Subway sharing sponsorship.
5 car- Tony Stewart working with Tony the Tiger.
33 car- Reed Sorenson representing Cheerios perfectly.
12 car-Jamie McMurray or Martin Truex Jr would both i think be a pretty good option here.

I dont care where Casey Mears and Ryan Newman go, they both in my opinion overrated, although the only thing Newman's got goin for him is that he's a pretty good qualifier. Also, there are quite a few teams needing new sponsors such as the 31 and 12 car and many sponsors out there available such as Catipillar, UPS, Napa, Office Depot, Bass Pro Shops and as of this morning, i heard Army is looking elsewhere. If DEI, or as anna put it, TEI, which is probably more accurate, if they lose Army and Bass Pro Shops, Dale Jr and Tony might ought to look at buying DEI instead of Haas cause it could be on the market here soon! Also, anna, the reason i think Tony is wanting to leave is two reasons, is one he'd like to be aligned back with Chevy and the other is that he has a long term goal of staying in Nascar after his driving career is done and he aspires to be like Childress or Hendrick when he's retired.

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BREAKING NEWS!!!!! According to Lee Spencer on foxsports.com, it'll be announced tomorrow that Catipillar has signed a multiyear agreement to be primary sponsor of it's long time ago driver Ward Burton's lil brother, Jeff Burton starting next year for the 31 car! I think this is a great move and as of right now, Catipillar i think has landed the best ride that was looking for a sponsor! Great for Jeff and good to see CAT teammed back up with the Burtons again!

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Actually, Gibbs has a robot controlling the car. Has NOTHING to do with the real human sitting in the car. I've heard that Joey is in the car to just have a fun time; he really doesn't have any talent.


/sarcasm

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WOW CJ I read your posts and i agree with much of them. What i'm afraid of is TONY buying apercentage of HAAS and sharing the ownership with the current owners which haven't been worth much in on track competition.Even him driving for HAAS and himself after he suppose purchase the teams share,i think would be a bad move for TONY. AND THAT'S WHAT THE RUMORS WERE SAYING.(a percentage purchase of the haas racket).If that's so anyone would rater tony
staying at JGR in a top racket.However if he purchases the entire HAAS RACKET and shares it with JUNIOR,that's a defferent story because than the two will be in entire control of the HAAS CO.
They would still have to start from scratch considering the HAAS teams condition right now but
tony and dale can do it,and DALE BEING ALREADY EXPERIENCED WITH JR MOYTORSPORT and having HMS ENGINES behind, those are a good PLUS.
I see your scenario of a new competition of HENDRICK VS HENDRICK, if TONY ends up at HMS, AND YES, THAT WILL BE A WIN WIN situation for RICK HEND.
but i doubt such rivalry it's going to take place
without RH stepping in.Out of all options,i still think TS moving to HMS will be the best if he has to quit such a top team. I'm sure he is rethinking
over and over his next step and not make the same mistake BOOBY LABONTE did few years ago by jumping to the pony tail dude racket.THE OTHER OPTION; if tony and dale purchase TEI, that's all new to me.
Where did you hear that TEI, is going to be up for sale??. I doubt theresa had suddenly had such a big turn around after refusing to sell only the 51% to
junior just last year and let him walk away.
Even if she sells she may get herself in one of her bitchy and bullish moods and refuse to sell to jr.
however, money talks BS walks at times,so could happen.TRUEX has resigned to stay at TEI, AND i doubt he will move to a FORD and a poor competing
racket like PENSKE. PENSKY does great in INDY RACING
and so does GANASSI.T he 12 will probably go to
J. MC PURRY and the 33 to SOBRENSON or SMEARS C. give a small possibility to TS, BUT I'LL DOUBT it again.The BOURBON BROS. and the CAPILLAR sponsor that's a very good possibility. WARD BOURBON has been staying out of racing, waiting for a competitivr TEAM to hire him. He has refused several other offers.I doubt he will reject RCR.
The 33 will be much more ideal for him or SMEARS than for TS.
THE #5 CAR is a very sentimental car for RICK HEND.
and although rick wanted to get KB out of that car,
i think by now he has realized it was a big mistake.
TONY STEWART could very well fulfill hendrick dreams
and sentiments for the #5.I THINK the #5 was owned by his brother that died in 2004 in a plane crash at CHARLOTTE N.C. before the coke600.
Have a nice day CJ,we all have to wait and see the news in future. Works for me..
anna seitter.

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I have to say as much as i'd like to see Ward back in Nascar, especially with RCR, but what i was saying was that Caterpillar has agreed to a deal to sponsor Jeff Burton starting next year. And let me also say, you have no idea how angry i was to hear that Bobby resigned with the Petty's, and i think he missed his last chance of getting back to his old form by driving for RCR's fourth team, i think it would've been a great fit, but i know that Richard Petty had to sell majority of Petty Enterprises, or Bobby wasnt going to sign back with them. Bobby said after his interview on ESPN, that had the Petty's not brought in a investor, he would've been looking at his other options, so im no longer a Bobby fan anymore and wish he'd go ahead and retire. i didnt mean to start anything as far as TEI, i just have heard rumors that their top two sponsors, Bass Pro and Army sponsorship is looking elsewhere, and i have also heard that their top two drivers, Mark Martin and Martin Truex is heading out, and Paul Menard's contract is also up after this year, and daddy could take his son and money elsewhere, i heard in the past that Robby Gordon Motorsports was in John Menard's sights. I also heard that Gibbs is considering replacing Stewart not only with Logano, he's thinking about splitting the 20 car with a veteran along with Logano to help Joey get some more experience and not put so much pressure on him, although i have to say, he's pretty talent and i think he could handle it just from what i've seen. And the only real successful veteran that it's worked for decently so far is Mark Martin, so maybe Martin would split with Logano at Gibbs, and it's a whole lot better option than DEI. I was just saying that with Teresa's lousy skills of landing talented driver's without having having to buy one out with one already in it(example of Mark Martin), and her horrible ability to get great sponsors and let the one's the late Dale Earnhardt brought in (Pennzoil, Napa, and Budweiser), unless Jeffery Earnhardt is the next great thing, greater than Joey Logano, then DEI is just around the corner of going in the ground.

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YES CJ, I got your point about caterpillar and jeff bourbon in your previous post, but i tought they are going to sponsor 2cars like they used to in nazcar.That'show i fitted ward bourbon in the RCR 33.
BOOBEY(trap)LABONTE, will best serve himself if he joins the pony tail dude and retire,even with the new sponsor at PE.He should stayed at GIBBS or moved to an equal or better team as i said it before.Waisted talent at PE.
MARK MARTIN was planned in the ex junior #8 by theresa. SMART MOVE.Have you noticed NO BOOHOO, NO SODA CANS OR BEER BOTTLES CHUCKED at the 8 yet this year.No bashing screaming,no whistles. MM is a well respected driver by driver and fans as you probably know.
TEI & THERESA GOT AN ACE UP THEIR SLEEVES AND you said it; it's JEFFERY EARNHARDT which will take over the #8 from MARTIN when he is very to debut.
For such reason i don't think THERESA is going to let MMARTIN go.I forgot to mention it in my previous post,but apparently you heard about him also.Sponsors, yes she might loose BASS PS/ARMY, but somebody else will jump in eventually,exspecially if the engines stop blowing up.Theresa, although i don't care for because junior
jumpship, is a really smart cookie and she will get herself up again BESIDES: she done jr a favor for letting him go.JR is better of at HMS than at TEI.
I been saying that since last year when the rumors
were floating about jr/hms team.
And yes, junior and tony would jump on a TEI purchase before HAAS. who would't,just the name means a lotto dale alot pubblicity and incoming revenues than HAAS.WILL THERESA SELL??? Good luck unless she is extremely forced into by financial cicumstances.
anna seitter.

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Anna,

Do you remember what post that we predicted the drivers that would make the chase? I want to see how far off I am (so far). :)

I don't think Jr is buying into anything. The Haas owner is in prison but his company is the #1 machine tool builder in the world. He didn't cheat on his taxes because he needed the money. He was ticked off at a judge. He has plenty of money.

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Hey Brad,

I think your underestimating Joey Logano's raw talent. Given the fact that the nationwide 20 has been the best car for sometime now this kid has won everywhere and every class vehicle he's ever raced. When you win at every level it's hard to disregard a race because the equipment was great.

Did you see the pass he made on Kyle Busch? I think that's what made Kyle spin himself out, he caught Kyle off guard with the pass on the outside on that part of the track. He has natural abilities that won't be denied for very long. I think he will eventually get your attention and well deserved credit. I've watched this kid closely, he's going to be a great driver as good as Kyle Busch.

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