Joey Logano’s preparation paid off in a big way at the All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro, N.C.
Logano led almost the entire 200 laps at the short track, claiming his second All-Star Race victory and a $1 million prize on Sunday night.
Starting from the pole position after setting the fastest qualifying time on Saturday, Logano dominated the race and set a record for leading the most laps in the event’s 40-year history.
“We were so fast,” Logano said. “We came here before and tested and ran over 800 laps, really figuring out what it would take to win the race.”
This victory marks Logano’s second win at the All-Star Race, with his first win coming in 2016.
Denny Hamlin finished in second place and Chris Buescher came in third in a race that lacked drama for the second consecutive year at the renovated track.
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Kyle Larson, who arrived just an hour before the race after qualifying fifth for the Indianapolis 500 and flying to North Wilkesboro, finished in fourth place but fell short of tying Jimmie Johnson’s record of four All-Star Race wins after starting at the back of the field.
Despite the newly paved track and different soft tire variations, the race did not produce more passing opportunities as expected.
Hamlin admitted that he struggled to pass Logano for the lead.
“I would run to him, and then you couldn’t pass,” Hamlin said. “I would lose a little bit of air there, and I would try to give my car a break and then run to him again — just have to be so much faster to get around.”
Logano acknowledged the importance of clean air in securing the victory, saying, “If it wasn’t for the clean air (and being out front) I would not have won.”
Team Penske president Michael Nelson praised the organization’s performance after sweeping the top three starting spots at the Indianapolis 500 earlier in the day.
“We have been close this year (in NASCAR) and to finally make it happen on a day like today, if you had to wait this was the day to get that done,” Nelson said. “A great day for Mr. Penske and the whole organization.”
The most dramatic moment of the race occurred on the second lap when Kyle Busch collided with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., resulting in a heated confrontation between the two drivers and their crews.
Larson’s last-minute arrival at the track generated buzz among fans, as he rushed to compete after qualifying for the Fast 6 at Indianapolis earlier in the day.
Larson’s impressive performance at Indianapolis drew praise from Hendrick Motorsports vice president Chad Knaus, who commended Larson’s talent and emotional stability under pressure.
