Joey Logano wins at Atlanta while Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, others wreck
A huge performance for Joey Logano and the No. 22 Team Penske team as they emerge victorious at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Logano is on his way to the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Playoffs.
Joey Logano was given the win courtesy of his teammate Ryan Blaney. The 12 car pushed and pushed and the 22 ended up out front in the end.
Speaking of the end, it all fell apart as Daniel Suárez and Logano raced each other. Ross Chastain fell back, got into the wall and then Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, and others wrecked to end the race under caution in overtime.
The new Atlanta Motor Speedway has been fantastic. Every time the Cup Series lines up at this track, it feels like we are going to be given an instant classic. When the field lined up for the final overtime restart, the energy was buzzing.
Joey Logano and Daniel Suárez on the front row. Each driver had a teammate behind them, Ross Chastain for Suárez and Ryan Blaney for Logano. One push after another, and the Trackhouse duo fell apart.
Once Chastain fell off, it was clear Suárez didn’t have enough to get to Logano. The wreck happened, the caution came out just as the leaders rounded Turn 4, and the 22 is parked in Victory Lane.
So, Suárez does not sweep Atlanta this year. But it is no coincidence that he was up front once again. He has made this new Atlanta track his specialty and this time he came up just short.
A Noah Gragson spin set us up for an overtime restart. With all of the pressure of the field bearing down on him, Joey Logano put together a fantastic race. Oh, and a sign fell on the track at one point.
Joey Logano advances to the Round of 12
This is a major win for Logano and his team. Don’t look now, but after a lackluster regular season, the 22 team is turning things up in the NASCAR Playoffs. Where have I heard this story before?
Once again, Joey Logano advances to the Round of 12. That is quite an accomplishment, but the job is not over yet. Last season, Logano only made it to the Round of 16. So, it’s an improvement but this team has a lot more to accomplish before they are satisfied.
Kyle Larson lost 25 points from the start of the day to the end on the cutline. Denny Hamlin is only a couple of points up on the cutline, and he’s lucky it wasn’t more. Suárez moves himself to 22 points above the cutline going into Watkins Glen.
Ty Gibbs and Brad Keselowski are both tied, but Gibbs has the tiebreaker for the final spot in the top-12, for now. Chase Briscoe sits in 16th after an early DNF with Larson, he is 20 points below the cutline. There is a lot of room for drivers to move up and down the standings in the next two races.
Joey Logano is stepping up in the NASCAR Playoffs yet again. Team Penske is always able to find that extra gear this time of year. Austin Cindric led a ton of laps on the day. too. This race gave us more of the action and thrills that we have come to expect from Atlanta. Watkins Glen and Bristol remain in the Round of 16.
Logano leaves Atlanta with the win. His Team Penske teammates were excellent. The season now gets more intense. Every race and every round will be more challenging. The NASCAR Playoffs are finally here. Will your favorite driver make it to the Championship 4?