Joey Logano to Penske Racing in 2013

Joey Logano, current driver of the No.20 Home Depot Toyota is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and headed to Penske Racing in 2013.

This was officially announced today with a press release from Penske Racing which you can read below.

Logano was faced with a choice when JGR signed Kenseth, it was unknown what car Kenseth would drive initially, it all depended on if Logano was to return or not. If Logano would of returned, it would of been only a part-time ride as their fourth driver in the #20 in the NSCS due to Joe Gibbs not having full time sponsorship for a fourth car. Joe Gibbs also said he wanted Logano to regroup for a season.

Kenseth would of taken another number but regardless, Kenseth was taking over the sponsorship with Home Depot.

Logano has been with JGR since he first started racing, the 22 year old old will move to Penske Racing to drive the No.22 Ford next season with full sponsorship from Shell/Pennzoil.

Logano is the fourth driver in two years to drive the car. He takes over the car after A.J Allmendinger was fired earlier this season.

Sam Hornish Jr. has been driving the car since Allmendinger’s dismissal. There has been no announcement on what Hornish Jr. will do next season, but we do know Penske is adamant about Hornish racing at the Cup level at least part time. Alliance Trucking, Hornish’s sponsor in the Nationwide Series already said they would sponsor him part-time in the NSCS in 2013.

Logano has won two career wins in the NSCS and hopes to make it many more. He currently stands 18th in Cup points and has an outside chance of securing the second wild-card berth to the Chase for the Sprint Cup in this weekend’s regular-season finale at Richmond International Raceway.

Penske Racing Official announcement:

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 4, 2012) – Penske Racing announced today that Joey Logano will join the team in 2013. He will drive the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Logano, 22, a two-time Sprint Cup Series winner who is currently competing in his fourth full season, will begin a multi-year agreement with Penske Racing.

“I am very excited to join Penske Racing and begin the next phase of my career,” said Logano. “I am looking forward to the opportunity as it will be an honor to drive for Roger Penske and race for wins and championships. I am also proud to represent Shell-Pennzoil as they are a respected global brand that does a great job of activating in the sport on and off the track.”

In addition to his pair of victories, four poles and 16 top-five finishes in his young Cup Series career, Logano has also produced 15 wins and 19 poles in five seasons competing part time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

“Joey Logano is a very talented driver who has already achieved a lot of success at a young age,” said Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing. “Joey is a great fit for our organization and we look forward to building on his success as he takes his place behind the wheel of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford.”

With an impressive track record of winning from an early age, Logano has established himself as one of NASCAR’s fastest rising stars. He started racing quarter midgets at the age of six and won his first championship just one year later. After rising up quickly through the racing ranks, Logano became the youngest winner in Nationwide Series history when he won at Kentucky Speedway at the age of 18 in 2008. Just one year later he won at New Hampshire to become the youngest winner ever in Cup Series competition. Logano went on to be named 2009 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year, setting the stage for a bright future in the sport.

“We welcome Joey Logano to the Shell-Pennzoil team, and we know he will do a great job representing our brands and Penske Racing in 2013 and beyond,” said Lisa Davis, president, Shell Lubricants Americas. “Joey is clearly a special talent on the race track, and we look forward to working with him off the track as well.”

Logano will join Brad Keselowski, a three-time race winner and championship contender in 2012, and the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford team to form a potent combination for Penske Racing in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 362 major race wins – including 15 Indianapolis 500 victories – 423 pole positions and 23 National Championships. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

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