Logano could be racing on Sundays later this year

[Schwartz Fan]

Stewart's future is still unclear, but what about Joey Logano?
MIKE HARRIS
The Associated Press
Sunday, Jun. 15, 2008


Joey Logano's Nationwide victory on Saturday night has revived speculation about whether the 18-year-old phenom could replace Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing entry.

Logano, who won in only his third start in the developmental series, could step in for the two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, who is considering leaving the team for another ride, possibly one with an ownership position attached.

"I don't think we've gone in that direction," team owner Joe Gibbs said Sunday at Michigan International Speedway before the start of the Lifelock 400. "We're still hoping we get things worked out (with Stewart). You're never quite sure and certainly where we are right now with Tony it's kind of hard to predict the future."

Asked how negotiations with Stewart are going, Gibbs said, "No updates. We're still working on things. I don't think there's anything to report there."

But Gibbs did say Logano could be racing on Sundays later this year, regardless of what Stewart decides.

"We would like to get him into some Cup stuff toward the end of the year," Gibbs said. "Now, whether we'll be able to do it or not, we want to make sure he's in good stuff in the right way."

The advanced billing was there for the kid from Connecticut who has won races at every level at which he's driven. But Gibbs said he was just hoping the expectations don't overwhelm Logano.

"I was so concerned the first part of the year with Joey, even though we knew all of the talent and everything that he had," Gibbs said. "I was so worried about all the pressure and everything that had been put on him.

"Our biggest concern with Joey is we knew the talent and we're committed for the long haul."

Logano, who had to wait to race in Nationwide until after he turned 18 late last month, already has two poles and two top-five finishes in his three starts. Gibbs said he is somewhat surprised by the fast start.

"It's extremely hard," said Gibbs, whose team has won 10 Nationwide races this year, including four by Stewart, three by Kyle Busch, two by Denny Hamlin and the one by Logano. "We've had good drivers and it's been a struggle for us. This year we just seemed to hit it, and I'm really proud of our crew chiefs and everybody over there. We're obviously happy for Joey."

Stewart's future is still unclear, but what about Joey Logano?