Martin Truex Jr, other NASCAR drivers say race winner Joey Logano jumped the final restart at Michigan

Martin Truex Jr asks about the “no call” and wonders if drivers can do “whatever they want” on restarts now

Sunday’s race was a washout. Instead, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series made a rare Monday afternoon appearance in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Joey Logano dominated the race at Michigan International Speedway on Monday afternoon. He led 163 of the 203 laps around the 2-mile speedway.

At the end of the race, Erik Jones suffered a flat tire. As he spun on the apron and back onto the race track, the caution was thrown.

This setup a NASCAR overtime finish. Joey Logano selected the outside lane as Martin Truex Jr started on the inside lane.

Logano punched the gas, the backend stepped out, he left tire marks and he still put a gap on everyone by the time he got to the flag stand.

Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr setup a final lap charge but came up just short of the win. Joey Logano claimed his second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win of the season.

However, the final restart has some attention. Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr all said that Joey Logano jumped the final restart.

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Kurt Busch on the restart at Michigan International Speedway

Following the final restart, Kurt Busch came home 2nd.

“Logano’s car was tough. I was going to push Truex right through the #22. That was my best shot at it,” Kurt Busch said after the race.

“Logano knew he had to go early and that was his best chance to squirt ahead of the #19. That’s what changed the complexion of the race. That’s what I would have done in his position.”

Martin Truex Jr on Logono’s restart

Martin Truex Jr lost a spot in the final laps of the race. He came home 3rd to Logano.

“I felt like before that, we were going to finish 2nd, no matter what,” Martin Truex Jr told Fox Sports after the race.

“My mind set there was, ‘At least we got a shot at it here.’ Rack ’em up, have a green-white-checkered and see.”

“My 2nd gear was off a little bit all day on those restarts so I was getting jumped.”

“But, then the #22 went like a whole car length before the restart zone. So, I don’t know how you get away with that. I thought we were suppose to go in the box.”

“We had a solid race car. It’s just, man, you gotta be so patient in this racing. It’s really hard.”

“Early in the race, I kept getting runs, going underneath guys and beating them through the corner. But, if you can’t clear them you lose 2-3-4 spots, every time. It’s frustrating at times.”

Martin Truex Jr was later asked again about the final restart by Claire B Lang.

“He just went way early. Before the restart zone and jumped it,” Truex continued.

“I don’t know how we get a no call on that. Or maybe the rules are that you can just do whatever you want on restarts now.”

“That’s the way it goes. They didn’t call it and he wins. But, he had a faster car than we did anyway.”

Joey Logano says he didn’t jump the restart

“Well, I was able to see it right in front of me,” Joey Logano referred to his front row restarting position in the media center after the win.

“I hit it right when I got there. That was a good start though wasn’t it? That was a good one. That one felt good,” Logano says with a smile.

“Fortunately, I had a lot of front row restarts from the lead. I was able to put some notes together of certain cars can and can’t do.”

NASCAR stated that the final restart was reviewed. He did not jump the start in the eyes of the officials.

Michigan International Speedway
Final restart video

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Links

Joey Logano | Kurt Busch | Martin Truex Jr | Michigan International Speedway | NASCAR