The two NASCAR drivers played bumper cars for the race win at Darlington Raceway
On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series took the green in Darlington, South Carolina. The legendary 1.366-mile track brought the drama as the race came to a close.
With just 26 laps to go in the 293 lap event, Joey Logano and William Byron lined up on the front row. Turn two is known to crowd the field and it did just that. Byron washed off the inside and pushed Logano into the outside wall.
Byron took over the race lead and he appeared to be heading to victory. However, with 10 laps to go, Logano was 1 second back with steam under his helmet.
At the same time, Byron’s car was getting tight as the race went on. With 5 laps to go, Logano closed the gap to just 0.5 seconds.
With 2 laps to go, Logano closed the gap to just a car length. He clearly had the better car and he was in a position to claim a race win.
Heading into turn three, Logano lined up the rear bumper of Byron and he shoved him into the corner. Byron chased his car up the banking and into the wall. Logano cruised by to take the race win.
It was the first win of the season for Logano. He continues an 11-year streak of at least 1 win per season.
Darlington Race Results: May 8, 2022 (NASCAR Cup Series)
Joey Logano comments
“I probably wouldn’t have gone straight for the bump and run if it wasn’t for how he got the lead,” Logano stated in the media center after the win.
“He came off of turn two and drove me straight into the wall. At that point, I’m lucky my car’s not broken and I’m a very angry driver.”
“I think anyone in the field would probably agree, if someone is going to be willing to do that to you, then the gloves are off at that point. If I got back there, that’s what I was going to do and what I had to do.”
“That was the way he wanted to race. So, I said, ‘Let’s go.’ “
“If he passed me clean, it wouldn’t have looked like that. But, that was the situation that was there in front of me.”
“Fortunately, I was able to get back there. Obviously, he knew it was coming, he checked up into the corner, pretty early. But, I did what I had to do to win the race. It’s very important to win and to get into playoffs.”
Byron noted that Logano was spooked, got tight and his the wall on his own on lap 26.
“I felt the wall and his car, all at the same time as I was sandwiched into the fence. But, ok. Cool.”
Does this feud continue?
“We’re equal. You put me in the wall first. Like I said, it’s game on. If I punted him out of the way there, to win the race, without him doing something to me. Which he never has in the past.”
“It’s not like he meant to fence me. I don’t think he meant to run me in the wall. The facts are, he did. It kinda took the win out of my hands.”
“At that point, you’re going to have to do what you have to do to get the lead back, in the same manner he got it. That’s how that works.”
Logano was 1 second back with 10 laps to go.
“You got an angry race car driver in there. There’s something to be said for an angry race car driver. There’s a little bit more speed in the tank when you tick me off a little bit.”
Joey Logano reacts to being call a Moran
After the race, William Byron threw out more than one name as he discussed Logano.
Bryon stated, “He’s just an idiot. He does this stuff all the time. I’ve seen it with other guys.”
Click here to view the full comments from William Byron
“I’ve been called a lot of thing,” Logano responded.
“A lot worse than moran too. I witnessed a lot of it too when I got out of the car.”
“But, no. That’s fine. Whatever, call me what you want.”
“If you’re willing to make the move to get the lead by doing that, by running a car into the wall. You opened up the door for retaliation to get a victory.”
“It was only 20 something laps before that. You gotta expect it coming. That’s why he went into the corner low and slow, he knew it was coming.”
“Yeah, you have to do that in that situation. You’re not going to get pushed around. I’m not going to get bullied. That’s how the sport works. Out sport’s worked like this for years.”
Logano added, “If that’s not how he took the lead, I’m not making that move.”
Click here to watch the video of the battle for the NASCAr win at Darlington
Links
Joey Logano | William Byron | Darlington Raceway | NASCAR
