Joey Logano discusses SVG’s rise as a full-time NASCAR driver. Logano and Shane van Gisbergen (Via IMAGO)
The three-time Supercars champion made his official NASCAR debut in 2024 as a development driver for Trackhosue Racing. Logano’s journey in NASCAR began when he secured victory in the inaugural Chicago Street Race with Trackhosue and is currently competing for the Xfinity Series championship with Kaulig Racing.
The main reason Logano had the opportunity to compete in the Xfinity Series instead of the Cup Series is due to his limited experience in oval racing. While Shane van Gisbergen excelled in circuit races in his Supercars career and other sports car series, he has also proven to be a formidable competitor in all types of NASCAR circuit races.
Could Josef Newgarden find success in stock cars during a single race? Logano, his teammate at Team Penske, believes that Newgarden would shine on a road course. He mentioned that Newgarden has expressed interest in trying out NASCAR.
During a recent discussion about the potential of two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Shane van Gisbergen to perform well in NASCAR road course races, two-time Cup champion Logano emphasized SVG’s skill on similar tracks. He praised the New Zealander’s prowess on road courses and noted his improvement on ovals as the season progresses.
Logano pointed out that the belief that oval races are easier than road course races is incorrect. He stressed that both disciplines require different skill sets and that it takes time to become proficient in oval racing compared to road courses.
Logano’s observations are valid points, highlighting the fact that transitioning from road courses to ovals is more challenging than the opposite. However, the Next-Gen car and its features make it easier than ever for newcomers like SVG to improve their skills on ovals.
