Joey Logano set the fastest qualifying time Saturday at Phoenix Raceway, securing the pole position for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500. His standout performance in the No. 22 Ford at 26.561 seconds, reaching 135.537 mph, placed him ahead of fellow Team Penske drivers Austin Cindric and Ryan Blaney, who qualified second and fifth respectively. This race weekend marks a unique occasion as Team Penske competes in both NASCAR and the NTT IndyCar Series on the Phoenix oval to celebrate the organization’s 60th anniversary.
Strong Performances Across Both NASCAR and IndyCar Penske Drivers
Logano’s teammates were right on his heels with Austin Cindric posting a solid second-place lap at 26.731 seconds and 134.675 mph while Ryan Blaney secured fifth position. Meanwhile, IndyCar drivers from Team Penske began their Good Ranchers 250 race with strong showings, including pole sitter David Malukas, Josef Newgarden on the front row beside him, and Scott McLaughlin starting fifth. The collective competitiveness highlights the depth of Penske’s talent across two major racing disciplines on the same weekend.
Special Paint Scheme Honors Scott McLaughlin’s Historic Victory
Logano’s car featured a distinctive livery celebrating Scott McLaughlin’s Bathurst 1000victory and his record 18 wins in the 2019 Supercars season. Reflecting on the significance, Logano said,
Image of: Joey Logano
“There’s a little rivalry there. I don’t know if we really talked about it, but I think internally all of us want to deliver some wins this weekend. Our paint scheme for this weekend is also really special. That was really big for his career, but also really big for Team Penske. And that car won 18 races that year. It was a boatload. So he’s definitely done a lot in that paint job. It’s neat to continue some of that success, at least in qualifying.”
Motivation Fueled by Team Penske’s Anniversary and Partner Support
With numerous marketing partners present, Logano expressed added motivation to perform well throughout the weekend, stating,
“You want to make sure you have a good running. There’s times where everybody’s there and you win, and there’s really nothing better than that. So everybody’s here and it’s nice to show that all the Team Penske cars are fast. Our three cars, the three Indy cars… all looked solid yesterday in practice, as well. So now it’s about executing the race, which is the hard part.”
Logano Reflects on Qualifying Pace and Car Performance
Describing his qualifying run, Logano noted the balance between driver effort and car capability, saying,
“I felt like if I didn’t screw up, the speed was in the car. I just had to make sure I got all of it out of it. I can tell you the car was really good. I don’t know if I can take much credit. The car drove really well and just kind of took what it gave me.”
He added encouragingly,
“It’s funny because it doesn’t drive nice, but this pace was there—which is encouraging for tomorrow, because it still feels like there’s some areas to get better. I didn’t have to do anything crazy to make speed. It just happened.”
Uncertainty and Respect Among Team Penske Drivers
Despite securing the fastest time, Logano remained cautious about predicting his result in qualifying, explaining,
“These days you just don’t know. You just go out there and you go as fast as you can, and you don’t know if you’re going to be 30th or first. It’s really hard to say before the run starts. [Cindric] had a pretty good lap going out early and still was able to qualify thinking the top five there. So that’s pretty impressive to do it as early as he did.”
Respect and Admiration for Roger Penske’s Leadership
Logano reflected on Team Penske owner Roger Penske’s influence, who turned 86 on February 20, emphasizing the privilege of working under his leadership:
“As a driver for him or just even someone just on the team, those are the people you want to be around—somebody that’s going to do something the right way, that’s going to do it in a professional way, but is also very competitive and wants to win no matter what it is: business, racing, you name it. He’s going to want to be the best at it. And you can imagine as a competitor, no matter what your position is on a team, you want to be with the best, right? You can’t soar like an Eagle when you’re working with turkeys—and he’s an eagle.”
Fueling Team Rivalry with IndyCar Success as Motivation
Following Josef Newgarden’s victory in the IndyCar Good Ranchers 250, Logano was motivated to deliver a strong performance in NASCAR to keep the team’s competitive spirit alive. He stated,
“We don’t want to hear the trash talk at the shop at Mooresville, N.C., about them winning and us not.”
What’s Next for Joey Logano and Team Penske
The Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, presenting Logano and his teammates a chance to translate their impressive qualifying speeds into race-day success. As Team Penske’s 60th anniversary weekend unfolds, the combined presence of both NASCAR and IndyCar drivers at the same venue highlights the strength and versatility of the organization’s racing program. With intense competition and symbolic paint schemes honoring past victories, the weekend is set to be a memorable chapter in Team Penske’s storied history.
