tom_jensen's avatar
Author:
Tom Jensen
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
  • Related Videos
SPEEDtv.com Store
DVD: David Jefferies Story
The David Jefferies Story is a reminder of the much loved and much missed Yorkshireman.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
CUP: Logano Confirmed For No. 20
Written by: Tom Jensen   
11/09/2008
Avondale, Az.
 
Joey Logano will be taking the reins of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota in 2009. (John Harrelson/Getty Images Photo) ยป More Photos

“For God’s sakes, please write that Joey Logano is driving the No. 20 car next year. … Unequivocally, Joey is in the 20. Please print that and tell everyone else.”

Those words were uttered by a frustrated and angry Joe Gibbs Racing President J.D. Gibbs Sunday morning in the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage at Phoenix International Raceway. Gibbs made the declaration after ESPN.com erroneously reported Saturday that Logano might be replaced next year by Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 20 Home Depot-sponsored car.

Gibbs told SPEEDtv.com Sunday that everything is on track with Logano for next season, despite the 18-year-old having a rough start in his first Sprint Cup this season.

Responding to the report, Gibbs said, “I don’t know where it started, where it came from, but it’s frustrating for everybody. You can’t just say stuff like that. That’s crazy talk. So for me, I would say, look, he’s in the car. It’s done. That’s been done a long time ago. The Nationwide stuff, he’s done a great job with it. Cup is harder. Hey, you’re going to have your struggles. All of our guys have. He’ll be fine. He’s going to be in good shape.”

In three Sprint Cup starts this season, Logano has finished 32nd and 39th driving for Hall of Fame Racing and 40th in a fourth JGR car. Gibbs said he thinks those results will improve substantially next year when Logano will be working with crew chief Greg Zipadelli and the rest of the No. 20, a veteran, experienced group.

“There’s a big difference,” Gibbs said. “When you come over here and do one-off Cup stuff, we’ve done it before, it’s difficult. When you’re with the same crew week in and
week out, it helps. Changes get made quicker, you get better and quicker ideas. Communication is faster. That’ll be a big improvement for everybody next year.”

Tom Jensen is the Senior NASCAR Editor for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the President of the National Motorsports Press Association. Jensen is the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and has won numerous national and state awards for news reporting, columns and feature writing. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to

Attention Race Fans! Play SPEED's 'CHASE For The FANTASY CUP' Pick a team of 5 championship drivers every week... Compete throughout the 10 CHASE race weeks. Cash prizes are awarded to teams with the most year-to-date and weekly points!


Keep track of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase with our interactive scorecard! Simply create an account, make your picks each week before the race, and then come back after the race to see how your pick rates against the actual results of all 12 drivers. Sign-Up Now!
View All Comments