Logano shines in Nationwide Series, struggles in Sprint Cup

Almost everyone is hesitant to question the judgment of Joe Gibbs. His record is proven -- three Super Bowl rings as coach of the Washington Redskins and three Sprint Cup titles.

Yet, despite his credentials, some wonder if Joe Gibbs Racing isn't rushing the spotlight upon Joey Logano.

"It's a difficult thing, but Joe Gibbs is the right guy to make that decision," ESPN racing analyst Andy Petree said. "Whatever he decides to do with [Logano] is the right thing.

"That being said, anybody who starts the Cup Series without any experience will find it tough. It's going to take some patience on the team's part."

Logano, 18, will spend much of this NASCAR season racing in the Cup and Nationwide series. It's a daunting task for a young driver learning to cope with great expectations.

"We are very confident that Joey can handle the pressure," Joe Gibbs said shortly before the season began. "He's an extraordinary talent."

So far, Logano mostly has spun his wheels in the Sprint Cup series. He has struggled to keep the No. 20 Toyota among the top 36 and assure himself a spot in the field every weekend.

Logano, though, has been far more consistent in the Nationwide Series. He has two career victories and 19 top-10 finishes in only 27 career starts -- the only 18-year-old driver to accomplish that feat.

"He's better than advertised," said Kyle Busch, who earned 10 of JGR's 15 Nationwide victories in 2008. "I don't think there's any doubt he can be a championship driver."

Logano established himself early, winning the Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway in only his third start. He won four poles and earned five top fives and 14 top 10s.

Logano, who finished third in wild finish at Talladega on Saturday, will seek his second win of the season on Friday in the Lipton Tea 250 at Richmond International Raceway. It'll be his second Nationwide start at RIR, where last September he finished seventh after capturing the second of four poles.

"To push David [Ragan] to his first win was very cool," said Logano, who survived contact with Michael Waltrip to help his former Legends Cup rival win his first NASCAR event.

It was an impressive run for Logano, considering he crossed the finish line behind four Chase for the Cup qualifiers -- winner Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer, Greg Biffle and defending Lipton Tea 250 champion Denny Hamlin.

"To be racing against guys I watched when I was growing up is pretty cool," Logano said. "I feel like I'm a little more comfortable in the Nationwide because I've got that half a year under by belt from last year.

"I feel like I know what I want. I feel like I'm capable of winning each week."

Logano has four top fives this season, including a win at Nashville. He finished fourth in Phoenix after pushing eventual winner Greg Biffle for much of the race.

"Everything is clicking really good," said Logano, who made his first Nationwide start in Dover last year, only a week after his 18th birthday. "We've had a lot of good runs."

Still, Logano has no chance of winning the series title, in part, because he'll compete in only 22 Nationwide events. He shares the No. 20 Toyota with two JGR teammates, including Hamlin.

"I don't have a chance at the championship, but our focus will be on the owners championship," said Logano, fifth in the Nationwide standings. "Hopefully, we can get those top-5 finishes and get the ownership trophy.

"If you are going to contend you have to run every race. Right now, I'm kind of focusing on the Cup car to see if I can make that work."