“We’re going to make you like it”: Joey Logano all in for more NASCAR street course races in future
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Joey Logano was recently asked about his take on the idea of more street course races in NASCAR's future. Ahead of the second Chicago Street race, Logano was asked in a press conference what elements he, as a driver, would want continued or pursued in future street races.
The 2x Cup champion pointed to the aspect of NASCAR bringing the race to the fans as opposed to the fans coming to the race as "so important."
"If you’re a diehard NASCAR fan, you’re going to go to a race, right? You’re going to travel. You’re going to do the whole experience. You’re going to go wherever your favorite track may be that you want to see the cars at and do the whole night. Whereas here, if you’re not a NASCAR fan, well, guess what? We’re in your face. You’re here. Like, you’re going to like it. We’re going to make you like it, at least. Or at least you’re going to have to see it. You can’t get away from it," Logano described. [9:05]
Joey Logano mentioned that potential fans are going to hear the sound of the Next Gen racecars "all through the city." As per the #22 driver, it would be curiosity that attracts everyone to the show NASCAR is bringing to them.
"Even last year, you think about the people that were trying to peek through the fence. They didn’t have a ticket, but they’re trying to look through the fence to see the race cars. They’re just curious, like, what’s going on here? What’s bad about that? Nothing. That’s all good things," he added.
Logano claimed he likes "the idea of doing this". Having said that, he pointed towards the challenging aspect for the teams logistically.
But despite that, the Penske driver believed that pursuing such races is worth it because "so many positives" can spring out for NASCAR in the long run.
Joey Logano hoping his Double Duty in Chicago pays off
Ahead of this Sunday's Cup race at Chicago, it was announced that Joey Logano would be running on Saturday in the #15 AM Racing. This was something Logano was asked about in his press conference, whether his running on Saturday could be an advantage for him on Sunday.
"There's no doubt that running on a street course is going to be better. I think the best example of that is Shane van Gisbergen. When you look at the experience that he had on street courses, it showed up immediately in a car he never drove before here. It tells me it doesn't matter what kind of car you're driving, he's able to gain that experience," Logano said. [7:25]
He revealed that when the opportunity to drive on Saturday showed up, he took it on because of the experience and nuances he could learn from the Chicago street course. Logano mentioned that the track is "so different" from any other road course on the schedule.
For the #22 driver, it's a matter of finding the little details, getting comfortable, and being able to get the most out of things. And doing that, Logano believed, takes more time and more laps.