Joey Logano, a two-time Cup champion in NASCAR, has found himself at the center of a cheating incident after it was discovered that he wore a non-compliant glove during qualifying at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The glove had obvious aerodynamic-deflecting alterations, resembling part of an amphibious costume.
NASCAR displayed the altered glove during a random inspection and revealed that Logano may have used it as an aerodynamic blocker during qualifying. The left-hand glove had webbing made of an unspecified material in between every finger. Logano, who qualified second at Atlanta, did not appeal the penalty imposed on him by NASCAR.
Rival driver Corey Lajoie confirmed that Logano wore the altered glove during qualifying for the Daytona 500. Lajoie estimated that the webbed glove provided Logano with three counts of drag. Logano declined to comment on whether he wore the glove when he won the pole for the season-opening race.
Logano’s team, Team Penske, would have likely conducted computer simulations on the glove before using it on the track. Logano took partial responsibility for the incident, stating that he put the glove on but did not make or alter it himself. He praised his team for moving on from the embarrassing situation and focusing on their performance.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Logano showcased his speed by winning his second pole in three races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He turned a lap at 184.357 mph, beating Kyle Larson. Logano’s performance on the track proved that his team still has what it takes to compete at a high level.
NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran expressed concern over the altered glove, stating that it not only posed a competition problem but also violated safety regulations. All equipment used in NASCAR must be approved by The SFI Foundation Inc., which ensures the quality and safety of specialty performance and racing equipment.
Logano insisted that he would never have used the glove if he thought it was dangerous. He emphasized that his family’s safety was more important to him than race cars. Logano was penalized for his actions and fined $10,000 for violating NASCAR’s safety code.
Team owner Roger Penske expressed his disappointment in Logano’s actions, stating that it was not good for the team’s reputation. Reigning Cup champion Ryan Blaney, who drives for Penske, revealed that there were no internal conversations about using the altered glove and acknowledged the fine balance between finding speed and staying within the rules.
The incident involving Logano highlights the constant struggle teams face in trying to find a competitive edge without crossing the line. While Logano’s actions may have been a step too far, it serves as a reminder that teams are always pushing boundaries in their quest for success. As NASCAR continues to enforce strict regulations, it remains to be seen how teams will adapt and innovate within the confines of the rules.
