Logano Leads Penske Charge, Will Start 10th at Texas

October 31, 2014


CONCORD, NC (October 31, 2014) – Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 AAA Ford Fusion, led Team Penske’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying efforts on Friday evening at Texas Motor Speedway.  The 24-year-old put up a lap of 27.263 seconds in the third round of knockout qualifying to grab the 10th starting position for Sunday afternoon’s 500-mile event, the AAA Texas 500, at the 1.5-mile speedway.

Logano was the third fastest car in round one with a lap of 27.069 seconds and followed that up with the ninth-quickest lap in round two – a 27.168 second lap.  Ultimately, Lognao’s fastest lap in the third and final round was good for the 10th position.  Logano also qualified 10th in the spring race at Texas, where he earned his first of five victories thus far this season.

“It wasn’t a bad run for the No. 22 AAA Ford, but it’s not what we were hoping for,” said Logano.  “We were pretty good in the first round and I thought we would be better in the second round.  The later it went, the faster the guys went.  In the third round, we were just too tight.  I tried to arch the corner and I got tight.  It’s not bad but not great.  We can see the front and we can see our competitors in the Chase.  500 miles is a long way - plenty of time for things to happen.”

Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford Fusion, struggled in the first round of qualifying, posting a best lap of 27.386 seconds.  Keselowski went out to make a second run, but couldn’t best his fastest time.  The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion will start Sunday’s race in the 26th position.  

The AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway will air live Sunday afternoon, November 2 at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. Race coverage will also be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90.