Joey Logano Triumphs in NASCAR Playoff Opener at Atlanta, Moves On

HAMPTON, Ga. — In a thrilling finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Joey Logano secured his spot in the second round of NASCAR’s playoffs by winning the race in overtime on Sunday. This victory marked a significant achievement for Logano, who is the only two-time Cup Series champion among the 16 drivers competing in the playoffs.

The win came during what was the 11th race of the season to end in overtime, tying the record set during the 2017 season. “That’s how we start the playoffs, boys!” Logano exclaimed after his victory. “When it is playoff time, it is our time.” With this win, he aims to become the only active driver with three Cup championships. The only other driver currently with two Cup titles, Kyle Busch, failed to qualify for this year’s playoffs.

Ryan Blaney finished in second place, completing a 1-2 finish for Team Penske and Ford. Blaney played a critical role in Logano’s win, providing him with essential pushes that ultimately thwarted a late challenge from Daniel Suarez. Suarez, who had previously celebrated a narrow win in a three-wide finish here in February, was working closely with his Trackhouse Racing teammate, Ross Chastain, during the final moments of the race.

The overtime sprint to the finish began with Logano and Suarez side-by-side on the front row, both supported by their teammates. Blaney successfully pushed Logano ahead, while Chastain kept close to Suarez’s bumper. The competition intensified, but Blaney’s final push secured the win for Logano.

Christopher Bell, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, crossed the finish line in fourth place, with Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports finishing fifth. The regular-season champion, Tyler Reddick from 23XI Racing, took sixth. Next in line were Busch, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Austin Cindric. Only two Toyotas managed to finish within the top ten, with Bell and Reddick leading the way.

The race was not without its incidents, as Kyle Larson crashed early while running in third place. As the laps were closing in on the first stage, Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet unexpectedly veered into the outside wall. “I don’t know if I blew a tire or what,” he reported on the radio as his car careened back onto the track and was then struck from behind by Chase Briscoe, another playoff contender.

This crash ended the race for both drivers. Larson, who was the points leader at the start of the race, described this incident as one of the most jarring hits he has faced. “It just caught me way off guard. I was never once loose, even in that corner,” he said, reflecting on the suddenness of the crash. Thankfully, Larson reported he was fine after the incident.

Briscoe, who had won the previous week’s regular-season finale to qualify for the playoffs, was ranked 13th out of 16 at the race’s start. “That’s NASCAR — you can be on top one week and at the very bottom of the mountain the next week,” said Briscoe. He mentioned that, despite the violent hit, he was relieved not to have sustained any serious injuries.

“It was a big hit. One of the biggest hits I’ve had in a long time… I’m glad my ankles didn’t get messed up,” he added while discussing the aftermath of the crash.

Looking ahead, the next race on the playoff schedule will take place at the road course in Watkins Glen, New York. This event holds particular significance for Hendrick Motorsports, as drivers Chase Elliott, Larson, and Byron have dominated the track in recent years, winning the last five races held there since 2018.

As the playoffs continue, the competition is sure to heat up, especially with talented drivers vying for the coveted championship title.

Source: AP