· Joey Logano started Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series from the third position in the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang, running inside the top-five for a majority of the event before pitting late due to alternator issues, dropping the team to the 23rd position at the checkered flag. Logano maintained the points lead by way of scoring stage points in both the first two stages.

· After starting from the third position, Logano continued to run in the top-four through the opening 10 laps, reporting the Shell-Pennzoil Ford was building slightly tight in both the front and rear tires as the run advanced. On lap 14, Logano reported he was losing more front grip than rear, ultimately forcing him to relinquish the fourth position with six laps remaining in the first stage.

· Prior to the end of the stage end, Logano reported an alternator issue with the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford. Crew chief Todd Gordon instructed the driver to shut off the air conditioning unit and the brake fans prior to the end of the stage. Under the caution the team made a minor air pressure adjustment, changing four tires. A slight jacking issue, coupled with other cars pitting under the green flag before the stage end dropped Logano to the 24th position.

· Through the first 10 laps of the second stage, Logano moved forward from 24th to 13th, remaining quiet on the radio. Logano continued his rally with a slightly tight Shell-Pennzoil Ford, moving back to the fourth position before the end of the second stage. Logano reported under caution that the tight condition was hurting him the most in the carousel.

· Logano would again restart deep in the field as the field came to the green flag to begin the final stage, rolling from the 25th position after many of the lead lap cars elected to pit before the end of the second stage. From the restart on, the Shell-Pennzoil Ford continued to advance through the field, moving to the 16th position with 34 laps remaining.

· With 29 laps remaining, Logano made what could be his final pit stop of the race, taking four tires and fuel after maintaining competitive lap times throughout the first run of stage three. Unfortunately, with 15 laps remaining, Logano was forced to bring the Shell-Pennzoil Ford back to pit road to replace a battery after running the majority of the event with a malfunctioning alternator.

· The stop would foil an otherwise solid day for Logano, who’d run inside the top-five throughout the afternoon and had competitive lap times all day. Logano would ultimately end up 23rd after running in the top-five much of the afternoon.

 

“On the surface it would be easy to get discouraged. We didn’t get the finish we were capable of due to a mechanical failure, but overall we had good speed in our Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang. I’m proud of all my guys and everyone at Team Penske for the gains they made from last year to this year.”