The cars of Team Penske teammates Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney were among the best for much of the Food City 500 and two of the three – Logano and Blaney – finished third and fourth respectively. Combined, the trio led 344 of the race’s 500 laps.
“The last thing you want is a caution with 15 to 20 (laps) to go at Bristol and you’re the leader because you know everyone is going to make their decision based off what you do,” said Logano, who found himself in exactly that predicament. “If you stay out, you’ve got to expect half the field is going to pit, maybe more. If you come in, five or six stayed (out), so it’s just part of the game.”
Keselowski appeared to be in line for a shot at the win as well, but confusion when the field was reset for the final restart left the former series champion mired in a three-wide situation coming to the green.
He was eventually issued a pass-through penalty and finished 18th.
“Nobody could figure out the lineup,” Keselowski said. “There wasn’t enough communication and it was just a tough deal.”
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
- Michael Jordan proves Denny Hamlin wrong at Talladega - April 21, 2024
- Tyler Reddick survives a ‘calm’ afternoon at Talladega for first win in 17 races - April 21, 2024
- Toyota’s pit strategy at Talladega was brilliant…until it wasn’t - April 21, 2024