The Home Depot Team Finishes 21st in Phoenix
November 15, 2009- 1. Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 2. Jeff Burton, No. 31 Chevrolet
- 3. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- 21. Joey Logano, No. 20 Home Depot Toyota
Avondale, Ariz. (November 15, 2009) – Joey Logano and The Home Depot Team battled a tight-handling condition and were the victim of an unavoidable spin today to finish 21st at Phoenix International Raceway. Logano was the top-finishing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie for the 25th time this season. The team maintained 19th place in the point standings heading into the final race of the 2009 Sprint Cup Season.
"The tough part about today is The Home Depot car was pretty good," said Logano. "We got it decent at the end but we still weren't where we needed to be. We just fought trying to get the car to turn all day; it was just constantly tight in the center. During that pile up, all I saw was everyone checking up and I think I got run over from behind and spun. There's not much you can do about that and it didn't cause too much damage. This race was a lot different from the first race, the track was quite a bit different because the sun was out. One of the challenges for me this year has been trying to keep up with the track as it changes throughout the race. This was definitely one of those races and I think we are getting much better at it."
Logano qualified 27th for the 312-lap race in the desert on Friday. The first practice of two practice sessions on Saturday was cancelled due to a rain shower, but Logano was ninth on the speed chart in the final practice. There was no rain in sight on Sunday as the green flag waved for the Checker Auto Parts 500.
Logano ran in the 27th position through the first 50 laps of the race which were all run under green-flag conditions. He let crew chief Greg Zipadelli know The Home Depot Toyota was tight through the center of the corners on lap 60, with just 30 cars remaining on the lead lap. Green-flag pit stops began on lap 66 and Logano brought the No. 20 Toyota Camry down pit road to the attention of The Home Depot crew on lap 71. The team made a chassis adjustment, fitted the car with fresh tires and packed it full of fuel. After 10 laps of racing, Logano told the team the car was much better getting into the turns, but was still a little tight especially in the first turn.
Logano was passed by the leader and eventual race winner on lap 100 while running in the 29th position. The caution flag was displayed for debris, but the leader has already passed several additional cars. After another four-tire pit stop and a wedge adjustment on lap 117, Logano restarted on lap 119 in the 29th position and one lap down. The field wasn't able to complete a lap before the yellow flag waved for a multi-car incident right behind Logano.
Logano continued to struggle through the corners, and the team pulled out a spring rubber during a pit stop on lap 164. While Logano was able to avoid the last melee on lap 119, he was not as fortunate this time when racing resumed on lap 168. On lap 170, a car got loose and several cars checked up. Logano was trying to slow to avoid it, but was turned sideways after getting hit from behind. The Home Depot Toyota sustained minimal damage to the right rear that the team was able to repair during one pit stop on lap 173.
The green flag waved again on lap 178 with Logano sitting in the 27th position. There were only 23 cars remaining on the lead lap. He battled his way up to 23rd on lap 250, but by lap 278 the leader was once again in the rookie's rear view mirror. Logano fell a second lap down on lap 280, but was able to pass two additional cars in the final 25 laps to bring the car home in the 21st position. Logano's Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch finished third and 12th respectively.
The Home Depot Team heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the final race of the season where Logano should wrap up the Raybestos Rookie the Year title. The race will air on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. ET on ABC and be broadcast live on MRN Radio.
