Joseph Logano (born May 24, 1990 in Middletown, Connecticut), is a developmental driver for Joe Gibbs Racing. Logano is the reigning NASCAR Camping World East Series champion and drives the #20 Joe Gibbs.

Logano’s father Tom purchased a go-kart for his son when he was 4, moving the pedals for the kart up so his son could reach them. The younger Logano would do donuts (spinouts) with the kart all day. One of the workers at Tom Logano’s garbage company had a son in Quarter Midget racing, & the younger Logano wanted to try it. He started his racing career in a quarter midget at age 7. His family moved to Georgia because his sister was a promising figure skater. The move allowed Logano to race in higher division cars at an earlier age in Georgia compared to Connecticut. He also won in Bandoleros & Legends cars. At age 12, Joey won the Southeast-based Pro Legends national championship. He spent several years racing various forms of pavement Late Model racing. NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Mark Martin has called Joey Logano “the real deal”. When Logano was 15, Martin said “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. I’m positive. There’s no doubt in mind.” He was top driver in 2006 GM Racing Development Driver Evaluation program, which led to him being signed with Joe Gibbs Racing (who’s now Toyota)

In 2005 he ran in 1 FASCAR Pro Truck Series race at New Smynra, started 1st & finished 2nd. He raced in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. He raced seven races in the Northern Division races winning once at Mansfield, two Southern Division races, & five Championship Series races.

In 2006 he continued racing in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. He raced in twelve Southern Division races, winning twice at South Georgia Motorsports Park and at USA International Speedway. He ran in one USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, Northern Division race and six Championship Series races.

A new 2007 NASCAR rule allowed drivers 16 & up to race in the Grand National Division, & Logano easily took advantage of the new rule. Logano finished the 2007 Grand National season with 13 starts in Busch East Series, winning 5 races, 3 poles, 10 Top 5’s, and 10 Top 10’s, & winning the championship with wins at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Iowa Speedway, two wins at New Hampshire International Speedway, and Adirondack International Speedway. He also has made 1 NASCAR West Series start, started 2nd and won. On October 20, 2007, Lagano won the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway, leading 87 laps and held off Peyton Sellers for the win.

Logano is prohibited from racing in NASCAR’s national divisions because he is under 18. He is planning to run some Grand National East races in 2008, then change to the Nationwide Series after he turns 18, with his debut set at the end of May 2008 at Dover.

Joey Logano’s Web Site

INFO