Austin Cindric on Ford Chase success Logano on the haters Larson on the 1st 4 Chase Races
By Roy J. Akers — www.skyviewsports.net
The results of the Penzoil 400 will mark the midway point of the Chase and four drivers have a realistic shot of bringing home the 2026 Chase title. Those not in the top four will need to win and earn plenty of stage points or it is time to turn the page to 2027.
Joey Logano on the Chase surprise
JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE FORMAT OF THE CHASE AND WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT IT? “I think the thing that has probably stood out the most is the value of wins and stage points together. How you can quickly make up a fair amount of distance with the 70-point day. At the same time, if you have somebody like Larson last week that was already right there at the points lead and has a 70-plus point day and he’s checked out really quickly. He puts together a couple of those and he’s out there, but just as quickly if he has a couple bad ones and someone else has a couple big days like that, it closes right up. I think we’ve seen that all year. To me, look at Tyler Reddick at the beginning of the year. He was checked out. I already penciled him in as the regular season champion. I figured that was for sure, but as quickly as they get out there and take a big lead it can change just as quick if someone else gets hot at the right time. We’ve seen it. We’ve lived it. We went through and made up quick a few spots in points with that too, so I think that’s the thing that stands out the most to me.”
Cindric on his Chase rise
DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE A REALISTIC SHOT TO STILL WIN THIS CHAMPIONSHIP? “I haven’t asked for the math, but if the math says I can do it, then I can do it. That’s really the only mentality I can have. I think for us to go from one of the lowest seeds to the top 10 in the standings is great, but, for me, the mentality since the Chase has started is to have fun and be loose and not really having anything to lose and all to gain. I think that’s how I’m gonna continue to race from here until the end of the season.”
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
What would you consider your biggest win in Las Vegas – on or off the track?
“The biggest win of my life in Las Vegas was the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory in 2018. That was my three-race tryout with Chip Ganassi Racing and being able to actually accomplish a win was huge. I don’t think my life goes the way it has career-wise if I didn’t get that win in Las Vegas. Winning was extremely important in that opportunity. It helped promote me into winning equipment for the rest of my career.”
Looking forward to this weekend at Las Vegas?
“Since being at Trackhouse, I’ve usually had a really strong car at Las Vegas. It’s been one of my best mile-and-a-half tracks over the last few years. It’s been such a fun track to drive and I’m looking forward to this weekend in the Tootsies Chevrolet. They’ve been a Trackhouse partner for a while and the car really stands out on the track.”
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Describe what the racing is like at Las Vegas Motor Speedway? “Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a great mile-and-a-half. The track is rough through Turns 1 and 2, and you have to be able to cut through the bumps. Restarts are wild, too. Vegas is an awesome place to go.”
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Roy J. Akers covers motorsports including NASCAR, NHRA, Indy Car and more and is the host of High Banked Fury, the Zoom/podcast.Motorsports newsmakers, media of the sport with expert analyst guests, stories, and opinions are found on the podcast and http://www.skyviewsports.net. Subscribe to all of it today!
