10-year-old stays perfect Logano takes first Legends race at Lanier
By Ryan Smith
The Times CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN - Not many drivers can say they are undefeated in racing. After Saturday night, Joey Logano can do just that. The 10-year-old, racing in his first Legends Charger race, won the 20-lap event at Lanier National Speedway. Ashley Wilkins finished second and Zack Lutz was third. A former quarter-midget champion. Logano had competed in Lanier's Bandolero earlier in the season. He received his Legends license May 24. He says he didn't think his debut would go as well as it did. "I felt like I had a little chance." Logano said." My dad told me I was a contender. It feels excellent." Logano was the car to beat early on. He opened up a nine-car length lead in the first seven laps before a caution period. It did seem to affect him because he built another big lead up until a second caution period on lap 10. "It bothered me a little because (the lead) is all blown," Logano said. "Then again, it was kind of good because I could rest my arms." With rejuvenated arms, Logano opened up another big lead to finish well ahead of Wilkins. Logano said there is a big difference between quarter-midgets, Bandeleros and Legends. He had to make the adjustment qutckly and did it well. "With Bandoleros and quartermidgets, you don't come off (on the brakes," he said. "In Legend cars, you use more brakes." Patience paid off for Tony Bennett as he picked up his second Pro Late Model win in a row. He passed Shane Chastain on lap 39 for the lead after the two raced sideby-side for nearly six laps. "I didn't have the best car out there," Bennett said. "It was a little tight, but was good on the restarts." Chastain qualified on the pole but was also fighting an inconsistent car all night. "It was the first time out with a new setup." he said. "I didn't know how it would do. About halfway through it got a little loose. We were loose during qualifying and tightened it up. We should have left it alone
Note: Results unofficial at presstime