The 5-Hour Energy 500 was a solid race for The Home Depot Team at Pocono Raceway. After a disappointing qualifying effort of 19th, the team worked hard throughout the 200-lap race to improve the handling of the No. 20 Toyota for driver Joey Logano. The effort showed dividends for the team with an 11th-place finish and an improvement of three positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver point standings.

“This was a good race for The Home Depot Team,’” said Logano. “Our car was better than it has been and we got closer to being where we need to be for sure. I’m happy we made progress during the race — lately we’ve been starting the race and going backwards. Now at least we’re maintaining and we got better and picked up spots as we kept going. We struggled on pit road a little bit and that was our big problem. We were better than where we finished.”

The 2.5-mile track brought new challenges to third-year driver Logano. For the first time at Pocono Raceway since Logano came to the Sprint Cup Series, drivers had the ability to shift throughout the race. Several competitors had transmission and shifting issues, but Logano adapted quickly.

“There were a lot of long green-flag runs today which spread the field out,” said Logano. “The shifting kept me entertained and it was fun. I enjoyed it — I wish we did that everywhere.”

Logano started from the 19th position on Sunday and maintained his track position when the first caution flag waved on lap 9. Crew chief Greg Zipadelli told Logano to remain on the track, knowing a competition caution flag would wave on lap 20. Debris brought out the yellow on lap 18, which then become the mandatory caution, and Logano brought the car down pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment to help the car turn better. With several cars pitting on the first caution, Logano would restart from the 27th position.

Logano reported brake issues on lap 40 while running in the 20th position, a problem that would plaque the driver throughout the race. Two long green-flag runs would follow and it wasn’t until lap 110 that the caution flag waved again. Logano had worked his way back up to the 17th position and came down pit road for routine service. Logano broke back into the top 15 just before the final caution flag of the day waved on lap 155. Drivers knew how important restarts were to gain quick spots on the track, so when the green flag dropped the racing was three and four wide. Logano survived the wild restart and maneuvered his way up to the 12th position with 30 to go.

Every team would have to hit pit road for fuel to make it to the end of the race, and Zipadelli called Logano down pit road on lap 174 for final adjustments. When pit stops cycled through Logano was in the 11th position and closing in on 10th place. Unfortunately, time ran out and Logano took the checkered flag just outside the top 10. He gained two positions in the standing and now sits 23rd, 25 points out of the top 20. His teammates Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin finished third and 19th respectively.

Logano and the team head to Michigan International Speedway next weekend. The NASCAR Sprint Cup race will be broadcast on Sunday on TNT beginning at 1:00 p.m. EDT and on MRN Radio

Joey Logano 5-hour Energy 500 Photos

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Joey Logano 5-hour Energy 500 Videos