Who Is Joey Logano?
Young Joe Gibbs Racing Driver Has A Lot To Prove
It took many years and numerous wrecked racecars before the late Dale Earnhardt earned high praise among the NASCAR community. It was the same for practically every other legend that has competed in this sport. Even Jeff Gordon failed to receive accolade after accolade until he began winning consistently in NASCAR’s highest level of competition.
Juan Pablo Montoya’s debut Nationwide Series race at Memphis in October of 2006 provoked a lot of media attention and hype. Many thought, ‘you know, whatever happened to earning your stripes?’ However, it was Juan Pablo Montoya. The Montoya hype was ridiculous, but there was some merit to it. After all, he is a CART champion, Indianapolis 500 champion, and Formula 1 winner. His resume in other forms of racing are unparalleled. So what is up with the Joey Logano craze?
The 18-year-old ‘sensation’, as some choose to call him, has never circled a lap in any of NASCAR’s three major divisions. Of course, until now, he was too young; but could we not save the glorification until he wins some Nationwide Series races? His nickname is sliced bread, because of the adage ‘the greatest thing since sliced bread’. Mark Martin has fervently advocated him by saying things like "I am high on Joey Logano because I am absolutely 100 percent positive, without a doubt, that he can be one of the greatest that ever raced in NASCAR,” and "Joey is magic, take my word for it, you will see soon."
There is even an article on Foxsports.com entitled ‘The Legend Begins’.
Logano drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, and if he is as gifted as the media has claimed, then it should not take long for him to win some races. Until then, he is just like any other driver entering his debut event. He is no different from any other young driver trying to make a name for himself, such as Landon Cassill, Colin Braun, or D.J. Kennington for that matter. He won the Camping World East championship last year, and one of his victories was against one of Sprint Cup's top stars, Kevin Harvick. He won the ARCA event at Rockingham last month against drivers such as Ken Schrader and Frank Kimmel. Obviously, the kid has talent, as well as a stout supporting cast from Joe Gibbs Racing.
However, keep in mind that Steve Wallace won his first ARCA race with Rusty Wallace, Inc. Ryan Newman won an ARCA race in his second start with Penske Racing , and David Stremme once lapped the field in an ARCA race at Michigan. Heck, Clint Bowyer finished second in his first ARCA race with a team that was practically pieced together last minute and had no affiliation with a high-powered Cup program. Logano’s ARCA victory was impressive, but it does not mean that he deserves to be anointed the ‘Next Big Star’.
Logano has yet to face drivers such as Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, and Kasey Kahne. That will be his competition this weekend at Dover in his much-anticipated debut. Now if he can pull off a win against some of NASCAR’s brightest stars, then maybe he is as good as advertised. Until then, treat him like the novice he is, and let him earn the hype.
In the past, the media has built-up a driver before he has a chance to prove himself. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. absorbed a lot of media attention back in the late 1990’s, and he delivered. Casey Atwood was the ‘next Jeff Gordon’, after he won his first Nationwide Series race at the age of 18 in 1999. Where is he now?
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