20 Days 'til Daytona: Logano matures in third Cup season

The first time I talked to Joey Logano I could sense a youthful excitement in his voice. It was the first time the then 19-year-old from Middletown, Conn., had to run two races in two different locations: Michigan and Kentucky.

Logano in 2009 at Kentucky, answering questions from FOX19 Sports Director Brian Giesenschlag (And me, sports intern at WCPO Channel 9 that year)

He wasn’t scared, but he had a feeling I equate to being six years old and sledding down the big hill for the first time. Sure mom and dad tell you to be careful and make sure you slow up before you get to the bottom and fly off into the busy street, but the only thing you care about is going fast down the hill.

Logano and crew chief Dave Rogers answer questions from the media after their 2009 Meijer 300 win. Logano's dad, Tom, was sitting amongst the media, holding the trophy

That was Logano in 2009. A few weeks after he beat teammate Kyle Busch for what was his second straight Nationwide (nee Busch) Series victory at Kentucky, Logano became the youngest Sprint Cup race winner. At 19 years and 35 days, Logano won the Lenox Tools 301 at New Hampshire.

To date, that is Logano’s only Cup win.

Now, the 20-year-old in the No. 20 car looks to improve on his 16th place finish in last year’s final points tally. Yahoo’s panel of experts picked Logano to finish 14th this season, (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=jh-countdown14012411) and Jay Hart explained that the panel’s decision to put Logano at 14 didn’t mean he wouldn’t win a few races.

“That he’s not in the Yahoo! Sports top 12 is more of a commentary on how tough making the Chase is than it is on Logano’s ability,” Hart wrote. “Expect him to lead his share of laps in 2011, win a race or two and be in contention for the Chase right up to Richmond.”

In fact, I would be willing to say right now, on the last day of January, that Joey Logano will win his fourth straight Nationwide race at Kentucky in July.

Logano motors through turn four at Kentucky last year as FOX19 photographer Dan Wood films him

And, if I was a betting man I’d be willing to put my money on the No. 20 being in victory lane on Saturday night too. If he was running trucks I’d say Logano could pull off the weekend sweep at Kentucky, but since he’s not (as of right now) it looks like the fans in Sparta will have to deal with two wins in two nights.

If it happens, I’ll look back at this and say, “Told you so.”