Joey Logano Races to Historic 5 OT Win in Nashville
By CARLOS MENDEZ
After outlasting every other car in a record five overtimes, Joey Logano could unclench the wheel and breathe.
The Panini America NASCAR Brand Ambassador was a winner and in the playoffs.
“It’s been a hard season, and being on that cutline … it’s just not fun,” the veteran Team Penske driver said after winning at Nashville on Sunday, qualifying for the 2024 postseason and a chance at a third Cup Series championship. “It’s hard, and you just want a little bit of the relief of the pressure. And with seven weeks to go until the playoffs, it gives us a chance to breathe for a second.”
NASCAR never needed more time to determine a winner, as the five extra two-lap sessions were the most in a Cup race under the 20-year-old “green-white-checkered” format. Counting 15 cautions, it took 31 extra laps to see a winner on the 1.33-mile track.
Nine drivers took a turn in the lead, highlighted by Christopher Bell for a race-high 131 laps before being knocked out on Lap 228. Denny Hamlin led for 70 laps — including during overtime. Ross Chastain spent 45 loops at the front, but also found himself out of the race in a late incident.
Ultimately, Logano and his gas-sipping No. 22 Ford Mustang prevailed by holding the point for nine overtime circuits.
“A lot of teamwork there,” said Logano, the season’s 11th winner and now ninth in the standings. “You have to give a lot of credit to our fueler, Nick Hensley, our engine department with Roush Yates building obviously some engines that could also manage fuel really well, and some guts.”