Joey Logano criticizes NASCAR over penalty that made him park on pit road

NASCAR forced Joey Logano to park on pit road and miss the entire session of final practice Saturday due to a penalty infraction.

Joey Logano criticized NASCAR after being forced to serve a penalty that made him park at the end of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s pit road and sit out an entire practice session on Saturday.

Logano was issued a 50-minute penalty Friday after his No. 22 Team Penske Ford failed pre-qualifying technical inspection four times. The penalty required Logano drive his car to the end of pit road at the start of final practice and park, then remain seated inside with his helmet on and his engine off for the duration of the session.

“I had time for a lot of thoughts in there, mainly that it’s a joke,” Logano told reporters afterward, via NBC Sports. “I don’t know why it has to be out on pit road. I mean, a penalty is a penalty. That’s fine, but there’s no reason to sit out there. I think it’s dumb, but that’s coming from a guy that just sat in a car for an hour sweating. That may not be the best thing to say, but it’s true.”

NASCAR routinely deducts teams practice time for various violations, usually in 15 or 30 minute increments. Several drivers were parked alongside Logano serving such penalties Saturday. But Logano is the first driver this season to miss an entire session, and while acknowledges his team deserved a penalty he took exception with how NASCAR carried out its enforcement.

“I just think it makes our sport look dumb,” Logano said. “I do. Like I said, it’s kind of a joke. I don’t get it, personally. I think we can accomplish the same thing in a more professional manner.”