Logano Cashes In

NASCAR All-Star Race:

Joey Logano dominated the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race leading 199 of 200 laps en route to his second All-Star Race victory. Logano won the pole and was fast from the start. He jumped out to a commanding lead after the first caution of the race (that occurred on lap 2 - more on that fiasco in a hot second) and was unstoppable all night. He did have some challengers throughout the night including Denny Hamlin, CBell, and Chris Buescher, but Logano was able to fend them all off and cruise to his first Cup victory of any manner since early in 2023 at Atlanta. The win was fiercely celebrated by Logano on the front stretch and in victory lane, and you can tell via his celebration and excitement that this is exactly what he and his team need as a confidence boost.

The race itself was mediocre at best. I must say, I was overly excited with the repave and tires, and I think as I should have been. There was much to do about the new tires, and several drivers (namely Denny Hamlin) were excited. I do think this was a move in the right direction from NASCAR and Goodyear. Moreover, the soft tires (option tires, red tires, whatever the hell you want to call them) should be used as many places as applicable. There is definitely a difference in the tires and I believe the softer tires would be beneficial at most tracks, or at least short tracks, for the rest of the year. I also think that the race being run at night killed some of the excitement as the track cooled off and made fell off negligible or minimal at best. A day race on a hot, slick track and I firmly believe we would seen a bit more passing. Again, the silver bullet? Nope. But progress is progress and we should probably take what we can get since NASCAR vehemently refuses to adjust horsepower.

On a positive note, even though it was a mediocre race, this was one of the better All Star Races in memory. Sure, passing was hard and it wasn't a barn burner. But North Wilkesboro and SMI nailed the repave. I was 100% not expecting a multi-groove racetrack immediately after a repave. But whatever they did or unlocked was phenomenal. And, as I mentioned above, the tire is a good move in the right direction. We were so close to what could have been one of the greatest All-Star Races in its 40 year history. I am glad to see that North Wilkesboro will get another chance to host the All Star Race in 2025 and hopefully with a little track aging and some more progress on the Goodyear rubbers and we will have a great All Star Race.

Now, what everyone is talking about: the fight. Ricky Stenhouse Jr vs. Kyle Busch. What a friggin way to end the night, and something to talk about that wasn't the mediocre racing product on track. Now, I will admit at first I did think that Stenhouse fenced the 8 and Kyle's response was fair. But quickly after watching the replay I noticed it was just good, hard racing trying to take as much as he could get on the first lap. Of course, Kyle sees it differently and that's fair. I probably would've too and gone after the 47 on track just like Kyle. That to me is what clicks in my mind that indicates this as good hard racing. Also, I do not think that Kyle meant for Ricky to get completely trashed and head first into the wall, but sometimes you just never know how retaliation is going to go when make contact. Either way, I was loving it. Passion, intensity, nobody taking any crap from anyone. Things like this are what built NASCAR and it's nice to have a reminder of what built the sport occasionally. I think it would get old if it was weekly, but quarterly ain't that bad. And mad props to Ricky for being a man of his word and doing something about it. Icing on the cake for the night and not bad PR for a big racing weekend up ahead.

Last note on the weekend: Kyle Larson. We can't not mention him. We all knew he was a wheelman and can drive anything, but the last several days have cemented that into racing history. Making the Fast 6 for Indy 500 qualifying is no small feat especially as a rookie. I know, he's a wheelman and in good equipment. But has gone toe-to-toe with Indy's best in his first real seat time in that car. Then to jump on a plane and head down to North Wilkesboro and run in the top 5 with a chance to win in a totally different car, a new tire, and a repave? He is consistently making an tough argument to go down as the greatest driver in history of motorsports. I wish him well in the Indy 500 and look forward to watching him compete (and hopefully for the win) Sunday afternoon.

Now we head into the Memorial Day Weekend Classic: the Coca-Cola 600 (World 600) at 6 p.m. on Fox. Be sure to tune in for what I am expecting to be a great race yet again. The trucks are also in action this weekend on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on FS1, and the Xfinity follows suit on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. on Fox. And of course, this is the Holy Grail weekend of racing: The Grand Prix of Monaco will be ABC at 9:00 a.m. and the Indianapolis 500 will be on NBC at 12:00 p.m. As a racing fan, I am ecstatic for the weekend ahead!

Picks: Cup = Kyle Larson (after finishing top 5 at Indy)

Xfinity = Sheldon Creed

Trucks = Rajah Caruth

Header Photo: Harold Hinson Photography

Fight Pic: FS1 video screengrab