Joey Logano will take over the driving duties of the NO. 20 Home Depot Toyota in 2009. (Jason Smith/Getty Images Photo)
Sliced Bread will be on the NASCAR Sprint Cup menu at Richmond International Raceway in two weeks.
That’s when 18-year-old Joey Logano — a/k/a “Sliced Bread,” as in the greatest thing since sliced bread — will make his Cup debut behind the wheel of the No. 02 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, with sponsorship from long-time JGR ally Home Depot. Wally Brown will serve as Logano’s crew chief in his Cup races this season.
At a press conference at JGR headquarters in Huntersville, N.C., Monday afternoon, Logano said he would enter as many as seven Cup races this season, along with the ARCA/REMAX Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Some of those Cup races could be with other teams, most likely Hall of Fame Racing.
But what happens this year is merely a prelude to 2009, when Logano will replace two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart in the No. 20 JGR Toyota. Although terms were not disclosed, team President J.D. Gibbs said both Logano and Home Depot had signed long-term contract extensions to remain at JGR. Greg Zipadelli, the only crew chief the No. 20 car has had since it began competing in Sprint Cup racing in 1999, likewise will remain on board to lead Logano’s rookie campaign.
Logano has had an impressive last two seasons: In 2007, he dominated the Camping World East Series, where he won a series championship against skilled, veteran competition. In 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season, he has one victory, two poles, three top-five and seven top-10 finishes.
