Well you can’t say that the NASCAR world didn’t see it coming? The majority went ahead and rode with it, but there was always that big, black cloud of doubt that he was coming in way to early. The next best thing since “Sliced bread” is at the end of his loaf, for the remainder of the 2008 racing season as far as the cup cars go, with the exception of one more race at Atlanta. HOF made an announcement that Joey Logano is no longer welcome to drive their # 96 /#02, JGR/HOF race car for the remainder of the season. Mr. Wonder boy himself knocked the #96 out of the top 35 in owners’ points, with finishes of 32nd at New Hampshire, and 39th at Kansas. The rush by none other then Joe Gibbs, and Home Depot to put Logano in a cup car never even got started.
It’s to bad that good ole Joe didn’t learn from Chip Ganassi’s experiment, when he brought Juan Montoya up way to quickly. Or we could look back to when Chip brought the 2007 IRL champion, Dario Franchitti into the cup series this season, only to let him go before he had a chance to see what the chase looked like from behind the wheel. And let’s not leave out the wizard of the open wheel owners, Roger Penske. Roger went as far as to jack Kurt Busch for his points, just so that Hornish could be guaranteed to make the first 5 races. And where is he now? A very dismal 37th in owners’ points, 2 spots behind none other then (cough) MWR, and Robby Gordon Motorsports who holds the 35th spot.
So who do you put most of the blame on, for the Joey Logano fiasco? Do you blame “the coach,” for trying to bring the youngster up, into a mans world way too early? Because after all, you cant blame his equipment. Since the car that Joey was driving, was JGR all the way from the bottom of the rim, to the top of the hood. Then to go a step further, JGR even used their own team of mechanics and technicians to put the car together. The only difference was the #96 stickers that were plastered all over the car. He even ran with his sponsor next season, Home Depot on the sides of the car. Or do you blame Home Depot for putting the pressure on the old man, to put another driver in the #20 car for next season?
We all know that Smoke is leaving after this season to start his own Chevy race team. And since Home Depot is tied to the #20 car, they knew since the beginning of the season that Smoke wouldn’t be around after this season was over. For one, ownership deals that Smoke was involved in, don’t happen in a course of 3 to 4 months. These deals take at least 6 months to a year, to iron out all the dirty details. Another story that will surface next year when Smoke is finally released from his contract with Toyota is, they no longer wanted him around, because he is running Chevy power in his Sprint cars, which he owns in the U.S.A.C. series. Toyota just last year also started running Toyota power in the U.S.A.C. series. The big brass at Toyota felt that it wasn’t good business practice for Smoke to be running Chevy power in his U.S.A.C. Sprint cars, and then coming over to the Sprint cup series and getting behind the wheel of a Toyota.
So where else was JGR supposed to get a driver for the #20 car when Smoke left? JGR is only running 2 cars in the Nationwide series, with Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Smoke and Joey Logano sharing the same seats. And we all know that Kyle, and Denny already have their cup rides, so the only one left was Joey. What a position JGR put themselves in, by not looking to the future. I’m sure they never expected Smoke to be leaving this quickly, and Toyota was probably figuring that Smoke would change his mind, and run the Toyota engine, especially since Smoke ran Mopar at the Turkey Night Grand Prix last year at the Toyota Speedway of Irwindale.
You can’t blame the younger Joey for wanting to race in the Sprint cup series either. After all, these are the dreams of the younger generation of race car drivers, to one day make it to the big time, and race in the same series that a lot of their childhood heroes and legends raced in. But as we have seen time after time, dreams like this don’t happen overnight. Nor do they take its course in a matter of a few years. The big question is, how much of a mental impact will have on the youngster? Being told that he is the next best thing since sliced bread? Then given a chance, and having a lower tier team say that they no longer want you behind the wheel of their #96 stickers. Because after all he was driving a JGR racing machine from the beginning.
We all know that to make bread rise, you need to add the yeast first. And once the yeast is added, it needs to rise before you can bake the bread. Joey is still in the yeast stage of his career. I’m sure once he is ready for the oven, he will be ready for the challenge that awaits him. But for now, old man Joe needs to let the process follow its course. If not, the bread will never bake properly, and he will continue to struggle to find his place in racing history. Paul Menard, David Gilliland, Regan Smith, Juan Montoya, Sam Hornish Jr, Jamie McMurray, the list goes on to those who are still trying to find their place. Joe Gibbs, look at the examples set before you.
This is not a football team, but instead its NASCAR baby. You don’t have 53 players to look after anymore, instead you only have 3. So don’t throw your first round draft pick to the sharks so quickly. Instead, ease him into nice cool water so that he can at least get used to it first, then, and then only can he learn to fend for himself. All that we can do as fans is continue to support this young, up and coming driver. But it’s up to his owner to do his part, and give the kid a chance to grow up the proper way. Good luck to Joey Logano in the future. That can only happen if JGR lets him rise at his own pace. I’m Out
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2.1.4p2/970 Thu Jun 4 02:10:38 UTC 2009
31 Comments
gonee
Dec 21 2008 10:06
Uggg
Stop making fun of him ok. He is gonna be kick ass one day and you all are going to be sorry asses when he beats your drivers
TexBex
Oct 04 2008 10:17
It is Joey Loaf/Lagoon Logano
It is Joey Loaf/Lagoon Logano.
cmetz24
Oct 03 2008 23:55
Hello 3
I would say JG’s was trying to save Home Depot as a sponser and had to put someone in the car who was being talked about. And it has been obvious networks have yacked plenty about him. And for what ever reason he has recieved pleny of attention. Which would be something to keep Home Depot. Thats just my thought on it. Great blog! Juanita was a great comparison.
Harpo1958
Oct 03 2008 23:09
I think Joey is a lot like Paul Menard.
Daddy’s money can’t buy you talent.
Frevr3fan
Oct 03 2008 22:45
Yeah She.....
Is. I cant believe that the Angels are having problems with the sox.
pookiechuck
Oct 03 2008 22:44
MrCrnty
btw, your Mizzou boys are kicking butt and taking names!
Can’t say that about my Memphis boys though 
Is it time for some hoops yet? 
LOL 
and no MrCrtny you rock
MrCrtny33
Oct 03 2008 22:38
3fan and pookie
she has got to be the most avid woman sports fan I have ever met and thats a good thing. You rock pookie.
pookiechuck
Oct 03 2008 22:34
Sal
no kidding!
LMAO I am afraid if I got a Denny tattoo he would change sponsors and number 
Frevr3fan
Oct 03 2008 22:32
MrCrtny
We have a fantasy race game that we play at Foxsports. So I made the toaster to tease Lori who I sent the shirt to.
Frevr3fan
Oct 03 2008 22:30
Pookster
Good thing you dont put tattoos of all the drivers you like. Because you would have already ran out of room. Then you throw in your baseball, and football teams. You have a full plate.