Joey Logano wins NASCAR race at Michigan, his 1st of year

On Friday in qualifying, Joey Logano said his Sprint Cup race auto was out of control at Michigan International Speedway.

Jones raced with “Dave, ” instead of his name painted above the driver-side window.

But it remained abundantly clear that Team Penske already has a handle on the aerodynamic configuration the sanctioning body is considering for 2017.

The changes didn’t hinder Logano, as he dominated by leading almost three quarters of the 200-lap race.

“Each and every week, there are 12 to 15 guys with a shot to win”, said Kyle Busch, who leads the top series with three victories. It was the 50th victory for Team Penske since switching to Ford equipment after the 2012 season.

Along with Logano and third-place finisher Kyle Larson, Elliott was part of the youngest top three in Sprint Cup history with an average age of 23. Logano is 26, Elliott 20 and Larson 23. It also was his sixth consecutive top 10 dating back to Talladega on May 1.

“Everyone did a great job of understanding what this package was going to do”, Logano said in victory vane. I know you guys don’t [because the first was in the exhibition all-star race]. While in past years, drivers could keep their foot to the floor around the entire speedway at MIS, they had to let out of gas to maintain control on Sunday. “It was flawless execution”.

Logano again had the lead when the race restarted on Lap 107.

The first caution didn’t slow down the race until lap 47, the cleanest start at MIS since 2009. Taking the lead was Logano.

Actually Elliott finishing second shows he didn’t do much dumb stuff. “Had another fantastic opportunity today, and I feel like definitely messed that one up for my guys”. This whole NAPA group has been working so hard these past few weeks, and that was all on me.

“I just did something dumb”, said Elliott of his gearshift gaffe. “Just putting it in the correct gear would be a good start”.

Brad Keselowski was fourth and points leader Kevin Harvick finished fifth at Michigan International Speedway. Carl Edwards called the package a “work in progress”. His feisty nature took a little bit of center stage this week when he questioned the appropriateness of Jeff Gordon – still an equity owner at Hendrick Motorsports while having just retired from NASCAR past year – commenting on certain aspects of the Penske team during the race broadcast. Busch completed just 52 laps before blowing his engine, causing him to finish 40th and last.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.is coming off his best two-year stretch – winning three times last year and four times in 2014 – since winning a combined eight races in 2003 and 2004. I consider it our second win of the season.

Elliott said he felt as if his auto was one of the three that were clearly the class of the field Sunday – with the others belonging to Logano and third-place finisher Kyle Larson.

– Larson’s No. 42 Chevrolet failed the laser inspection station (LIS) after the race. Jeffrey Earnhardt, who had to jump from the vehicle, was evaluated at the infield medical center was released.

Kyle Busch, the defending series champion, was sent to the garages after his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota caught fire on Lap 54.

Truex Jr., who led the race a couple of times, spun after contact with Clint Bowyer on Lap 46.

Logano had a huge lead with 12 laps to go when Denny Hamlin, the Daytona 500 victor, blew out his front right tire to force another restart.