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Joey Logano Gets Real on His Chances of Winning at Chicago

Published 07/01/2023, 5:08 AM EDT

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NASCAR is set to take to the streets for the first time in its 75-year history. While all the drivers will be eager to head down victory lane, one particular racer came clean on the mix of excitement and uncertainty. Team Penske’s No.22 Joey Logano is no stranger to victory. However, the Chicago Street Course’s unique challenge has left Logano questioning his chances of a 33rd Cup Series win this weekend.

The street course in the ‘Windy City’ is a 2.2-mile circuit covering over 100 laps. It will present a departure from the traditional NASCAR ovals that drivers are accustomed to. While the different turns and tight corners will test the drivers, the walls that line the course will add an element of risk, with inch-perfect precision being important.

Joey Logano is expecting a bumpy race on Sunday

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Ahead of NASCAR’s trip to Chicago, the two-time Cup Series Champion spilled the beans. Joey Logano like the rest, has been skeptical while expressing his excitement for one of the biggest changes NASCAR has made to date.

In a sit-down interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, he said: “Yeah, yeah, maybe. I don’t know if anyone has a huge advantage over the next person. I mean, I think it’s gonna be a very interesting race. I’m a little nervous about it, and how this one goes. It’s really hard to say and, you know, the way the track is laid out with the walls, really the walls of what has made me nervous. There’s a lot of them. There’s a lot of line corners. It seems like it’s going to be bumpy.”

While mistakes can happen in races, the margin for error will be even finer on Sunday. As the drivers navigate the street circuit, the teams, spotters, crew chiefs, and everyone involved will need to be flexible and understanding. Logano recognizes the challenges and excitement the race possesses and compared this situation to how teams had to adapt when a previous change came in.

He added: “There’s no room for error. You you make a mistake, it’s gonna be bam, boom in the wall (and) you’re probably gonna clog the whole track up. So if anyone makes a mistake, it’s probably going to be quite the quite the moment. So I’m sure it’s gonna be a learning curve for all the drivers for NASCAR for crew chiefs or like teams. Like it’s going to be a learning curve weekend for sure. So we got to definitely add a little grace just like you know we did for you know this next gen car we first started with it. There’s going to be a learning curve this is we’ve never done anything like this before.”

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Logano’s apprehension is justified considering the unprecedented nature of the Chicago Street Course, offering a fresh and thrilling experience for both drivers and fans.

Read More: Amid Shocking Chicago Street Race News, Joey Logano Becomes Laughing Stock of NASCAR Community With Bill Goldberg Crossover

Logano believes one thing can help him avoid chaos

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As Logano prepares to navigate the demanding Chicago Street Course, his goal remains to provide an inspiring and entertaining race for NASCAR fans. While uncertainties loom, he sees the potential for excitement and unexpected moments on the track. With qualifying playing a crucial role in determining starting positions, Logano is looking for a strong qualifying to secure a favorable starting spot. 

“I don’t know. But I see a lot of opportunity for some some interesting things to happen. I really hope we qualify again like I get where I’m out that I want to be in the front, not in the middle of the back of this one”.

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Joey Logano’s journey at the Chicago Street Course will kickstart a new chapter in NASCAR history. As the 33-year-old embraces the challenges and uncertainties he remains focused on delivering a thrilling performance and creating lasting memories for the fans. The race is set to captivate audiences and ignite the spirit of competition in the Second City.

Watch this Story: The Inspiring Journey of Jack Roush from Drag Racing to the NASCAR Hall of Fame

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Written by:

Kushal Dudla

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Kushal Dudla is a NASCAR Writer for EssentiallySports, who brings a unique perspective to the world of motorsports. Pursuing his undergrad in engineering, he combines his technical knowledge with his love for sports to deliver engaging content to readers. As a dedicated NASCAR enthusiast, Kushal closely follows the journey of some of the sport's most talented drivers.
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Edited by:

Shivali Nathta