Joey Logano Wins Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Joey Logano won the Ford Ecoboost 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday night to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

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Logano was considered the underdog for the championship heading into the race as he went up against the strong trio of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. in the Championship Round. 

Truex and Harvick had the dominant cars all day, but Logano had the fastest car for the first 20 laps of a run.  When the four drivers lined up for a final restart with 15 laps to go, Logano was able to work his way around Truex to win the race.

Logano said he knew he had a fast car and that he wanted the victory.

“I knew I was going to pass that car,” Logano said.  “We rise to the occasion and execute under pressure like that.  Our car was a short-run car…it came down to that short run and we’re champions.”

As a teenager, Logano was called “the best thing since sliced bread” by NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin.  Logano said he was happy to finally back up the legend’s praises in his 10th season at the Cup level.

“I’ve worked my whole life to get here,” Logano said.  “I’ve spent 10 seasons fighting for this.  I can’t believe it.  It’s a dream come true.”

Truex finished second on Sunday, falling one position short of repeating as Cup Series Champion.  Truex said his car just wasn’t fast enough on the short run to compete with Logano.

“We had it, we just couldn’t go over 15 laps,” Truex said.  “I was just slow for 15 laps.  Not the way we wanted to go out, but a hell of an effort.”

Truex’s team, Furniture Row Racing, is shutting down after Homestead.  Truex, who will be moving on to Joe Gibbs Racing next year, said he was sad to see his team disband after five years together.

“I’m going to miss these guys; wish we could have won it,” Truex said.  “Been the best time of my life.  These guys, they’ve been amazing.”

“They’ve made me a superstar in NASCAR, and I’m just very thankful for them all.”

Unofficial results:

1. Joey Logano

2. Martin Truex Jr.

3. Kevin Harvick

4. Kyle Busch

5. Brad Keselowski

6. Matt Kenseth

7. Chase Elliott

8. Clint Bowyer

9. Aric Almirola

10. Kurt Busch

11. Austin Dillon

12. Denny Hamlin

13. Kyle Larson

14. Jimmie Johnson

15. Ryan Newman

16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

17. Ryan Blaney

18. Jamie McMurray

19. AJ Allmendinger

20. David Ragan

21. Darrell Wallace Jr.

22. Ty Dillon

23. Chris Buescher

24. William Byron

25. Paul Menard

26. Matt DiBenedetto

27. Erik Jones

28. Michael McDowell

29. Alex Bowman

30. Daniel Suarez

31. Landon Cassill

32. JJ Yeley

33. Ross Chastain

34. Corey LaJoie

35. BJ McLeod

36. Kyle Weatherman

37. Timmy Hill

38. Tanner Berryhill

39. Regan Smith

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