Joey Logano’s road to clinching the pole position for the Pennzoil #22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in Las Vegas was a bittersweet symphony. While the driver secured his second pole of the 2024 Cup Series in his familiar Pennzoil paint scheme, the accomplishment was overshadowed by the lingering controversy surrounding his use of an illegal “webbed glove” in the previous qualifying races of the season.

The drama unfolded just before the green flag waved at last week’s Ambetter Health 400 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, where NASCAR officials discovered Logano’s left-hand driving glove had been modified with webbing between the fingers. This modification, designed to deflect airflow and potentially gain an aerodynamic advantage, violated SFI safety regulations and sparked outrage within the NASCAR community. Logano, a two-time champion with over fifteen years of top national series experience, found himself at the center of a “cheating scandal.”

Can Joey Logano outrun the shadow of the “Webbed Glove” in Vegas?

NASCAR officials, upon closer inspection, confirmed the glove’s non-compliance and disqualified it. The Penske driver faced a $10,000 penalty for the Atlanta race, starting from the back of the pack after qualifying an impressive P2.

Logano’s response to the controversy further fuels the fire. He acknowledged the ’embarrassment’ of being punished publicly but downplayed the actions as not just his own doing. “As a driver, you work with the team, and I’m going to take a portion of responsibility for that too,” Logano admitted.

However, the 32-year-old North Carolina resident did go on to assert that the glove modification didn’t yield any significant advantages, continuing, “It isn’t even worth it. It didn’t do anything to speak of.”

Nevertheless, the controversy extended beyond the iconic 1.52-mile oval in Atlanta. Team owner, the legendary Roger Penske, known for his high ethical standards, publicly condemned Logano’s actions in a statement to AP, “I didn’t like that at all. It’s not good. Period. I told him. He’s the leader of the team. Look, we are under so much scrutiny and the last thing we need to do is have any noise like that. It’s not good for us. It’s not good for him. We’ll take our punches.“ This public rebuke from the owner of Penske Corporation highlighted the severity of the situation and put a negative light on Logano’s image.

Despite the criticism swirling around the #22, Logano remained focused on his driving and determined to prove his mettle on the track. He arrived in Nevada with a point to prove, not just to his critics but also to himself and his team.

NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Admits Joey Logano May be in Hot Water Over his Illegal Glove Modifications

#22’s Road to Redemption Kicks- Off with Another P1

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The qualifying session for the Pennzoil 400 saw a determined Logano pushing his Team Penske Ford to the limit yet again. He topped the leaderboard for a second time and ultimately secured the pole position with a blistering speed of 184.357 mph. This dominant performance sent a clear message: Joey Logano is the most dangerous when put in “hard to go through and embarrassing” scenarios that truly test his championship pedigree. The sign of a perennial winner.

Moreover, Logano’s post-qualifying comments paint a narrative of seeking redemption. He declared, “We showed that we have some speed in our race car, and to be able to put it on the pole here, to me, is a statement-type lap, so I’m proud of that.” While some see this as a genuine attempt to reclaim his image, others interpret it as a calculated move to deflect attention from the controversy. Regardless of the intent, Logano’s Sin City pole position on Saturday undeniably served as a powerful counterpoint to the recent negativities within Team Penske.

In another light, the remaining positions in the top five showcased a diverse mix of manufacturers. Joining him on the front row is Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson in the #5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, their first appearance alongside a Ford in the top two this season. Austin Cindric, another Ford driver from Team Penske, claimed the third position, followed by Daytona 500 winner and Larson’s teammate at Hendrick, William Byron, also in a Chevrolet. Rounding out the top five is 23XI’s Bubba Wallace, the lone Toyota driver, ready to prove his mettle in the new Camry XSE.

As the sun sets on qualifying and the engines roar to life for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400, the checkered flag awaits, as the story of Joey Logano, the #22 Ford Mustang, and Team Penske’s quest for redemption seems far from over.

NASCAR Cup Qualifying Results: Joey Logano Holds off Kyle Larson to Take the Pole at Las Vegas