FORT WORTH, Tex.–Joey Logano who was listed as eighteenth in the starting line-up, began at the rear of the NRA 500 Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway after his car did not pass the pre-race inspection. However, he managed to pull out an impressive finish, coming in fifth.
“It was one of the toughest races I think we’ve ever dealt with and to come with a top-five out of something like that, we couldn’t be more excited about that,” said Logano. “I was almost a third-place finish there if the last caution had come out, but these guys worked really hard on this Shell/ Pennzoil Ford on getting us out at least to race.”
NASCAR inspectors didn’t like the rear end housing of Penske car. Parts were confiscated and his car headed back to the garage. His crew worked vigorously, but it took them three attempts before the No. 22 Ford passed NASCAR’S laser-controlled computerized inspection. But inspection wasn’t over, and they encountered yet another setback. The right side of the car was 10 pounds to light, so back to the garage it went.
Logano was not in the car when it was pushed onto pit road at 6:41p.m., after the command to start engines had been given.
“It was too close for my comfort, to be honest with you, and having to start from the back we worked out way up. (Crew chief)Todd Gordon did a great job keeping everyone under control and not getting overwhelmed by everything,” said Logano. “He focused in and made his adjustments and got our car a lot better than what it was.”
Brad Keselowski’s car also did not pass pre-inspection the first time around because of his car’s rear end housing, but he made it on the track on time to take his starting position before the engines were fired.
NASCAR may still issue a penalty later this week.
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