Logano’s Ford breaks Chevy’s NASCAR Cup Dominance
By Dave Hascall
Penske Racing’s Joey Logano drove his Ford to victory at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, breaking Chevrolet’s dominance this season in NASCAR Cup. Logano led much of Sunday’s Ambetter Health 400 at the mile-and-a-half tri-oval, south of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Logana claimed the first stage with Penske teammate Austin Cindric taking stage 2 but it was anyone’s guess if either driver would be a factor in the final stage. Loganao was shuffled back out of the top ten late in the running but after a late race restart, the Connecticut driver was suddenly in the top five. He clawed his way briefly to the lead with teammates Cindric and Ryan Blaney over Brad Keselowski before Brad moved back in front. The lower groove prevailed with Logano narrowly besting Keselowski with a last-lap pass. Christopher Bell took third over Corey LaJoie and Tyler Reddick. LaJoie’s fourth was a career-best for him and his overachieving Spire Motorsports entry.
William Byron’s chance for a third straight win vanished as a result of one of two multi-car accidents.
Byron drivers for Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) and NASCAR came down hard last week on all four HMS teams due to unapproved modifications to a vendor-supplied part from Phoenix (Kaulig racing’s number 31 was also similarly penalized). The parts in question are hood louvers that release air flowing over the radiator. Hendrick Motorsports plans to appeal. I’m still awaiting a response from Kaulig Racing.