Joey Logano secured his spot in the second round of NASCAR’s playoffs by winning the opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway in overtime. With this victory, Logano, a two-time Cup Series champion, is aiming to become the only active three-time Cup champion. His Team Penske teammate, Ryan Blaney, finished second, giving the team a 1-2 sweep. Daniel Suarez, who was denied the win, had help from teammate Ross Chastain in the thrilling final laps of the race.
The race saw a total of 11 overtime finishes this season, tying the record set in 2017. Kyle Larson, the points leader at the start of the race, crashed early in the first stage, ending his and Chase Briscoe’s race. Despite the impact, both drivers escaped serious injuries.
Logano’s victory marks a strong start to the playoffs for Team Penske and Ford, while Christopher Bell and Alex Bowman also finished in the top five. Kyle Busch, the only other driver with two Cup titles in the playoff field, did not make it to the top five.
The intense race witnessed high-speed maneuvers and strategic teamwork as drivers battled for the win. Logano’s performance showcased his determination to clinch the Cup championship for the third time, proving that when it comes to the playoffs, it’s his time to shine. The next round of races promises more excitement and fierce competition as the drivers vie for the title of NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Source
Photo credit www.centralmaine.com
