Logano Eyes Brickyard 400 Victory: A Personal Quest at Indianapolis
Joey Logano, a veteran of Team Penske, is acutely aware of the historical weight the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) holds for the organization and its founder, Roger Penske. With a three-time Cup Series championship under his belt, Logano openly declares his desire to secure victory in one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races, the Brickyard 400.
“I always wanted to win here; it didn’t change much (driving for Penske),” Logano stated during a recent tour of the newly renovated IMS Museum. His affection for the track was evident, recalling his first test laps: “I was like, ‘Whoa. This is so cool just to go around the place.’”
Logano emphasized the internal motivation driving his pursuit of victory at Indianapolis, stating, “I want to win the Brickyard for me. I have a selfish motive behind this race… because it’s Indy. Every driver wants to win here.” He elaborated that other prestigious races, like Daytona, share this unique desirability.
Despite an impressive career highlighted by a victory in the 2015 Daytona 500, Logano has yet to conquer the Brickyard 400, as well as other prestigious events such as the Coca-Cola 600 and the Southern 500. Over 13 starts at the IMS, with nine in a Penske Ford, Logano has led a total of 80 laps, with his closest finishes being second in 2015 and 2019.
Penske, while dominant in the Indianapolis 500, has only one Brickyard 400 win to date, achieved by Brad Keselowski in 2018. Logano expressed frustration at his near-misses: “I get jealous every time I see someone kiss the bricks because I haven’t done it. It’s like, ‘Ugh, I want to do that!’”
With the race calendar set to feature the Brickyard 400 soon, Logano remains focused on translating his ambition into results. “I’ve been close so many times… Hopefully it happens soon,” he concluded, underscoring the importance of this race not only for his career but personally as well.
