Joey Logano faced significant adversity during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway after a right front tire failure sent him into the wall during practice, but a strategic move involving a tire purchase from Rick Ware Racing became a talking point in the paddock. The Joey Logano tire deal at Richmond, which saw Team Penske pay to acquire tires from another team, spurred reaction from driver Denny Hamlin, highlighting both the fairness and controversy around such arrangements.
Logano’s Early Troubles and Strategic Tire Purchase
During practice before the Richmond race, Joey Logano experienced a flat right front tire that led to an encounter with the outside wall in Turn 4. Teams in the Cup Series were allocated eight sets of tires for the race, a critical resource for performance and strategy at a track known for tire wear. However, Logano’s practice misfortune meant the No. 22 car was already at a disadvantage.
Rather than compete with one fewer set of tires, Team Penske pursued an alternative. The team arranged to buy a set from Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 team, ensuring Logano remained on equal footing with his competitors. This exchange raised eyebrows in the garage and prompted commentary from fellow drivers and insiders.
Denny Hamlin’s Take on the Tire Transaction
Reacting on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin provided a detailed perspective on the situation and what it signified for NASCAR’s approach to resource management and fairness. Hamlin questioned the implementation and possible loopholes surrounding the transfer of tires between teams:
“I don’t have an opinion on that, one way or the other. My question is… did the 51 just run a set short? … I wonder how much Penske paid them for that. They obviously paid them, [and] Rick Ware obviously took it,”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver and Podcaster
Hamlin pointed out a rule requiring teams to make a qualifying attempt if they transfer tires, which mitigates the risk of manipulated tire advantages. He reflected on how similar practices in other series allowed teams starting at the back to gain unfair advantages by saving tires for later in the race. In today’s Cup Series, teams no longer start on their qualifying tires, reducing such advantage.
“So, it sounds like the 22 wanted the same set of tires as everyone else, so he had to buy the tires off the 51 and then the 51 — sorry, here’s a check and you’re going to be one set short. Do I have a problem with it? I don’t know. As long as there’s someone in the field to sell it. Certainly, the issue they had in practice didn’t appear it was their fault. It was bad luck, they ran over something. Should they have been penalized by having one less set of tires? I don’t think so. It’s probably the most fair way to do it.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver and Podcaster
Hamlin’s analysis acknowledged the randomness of Logano’s tire issue in practice, suggesting the solution—buying a set from another team—was likely the fairest possible outcome. He underscored that the practice mishap seemed to stem from unavoidable circumstances, not any overt error on the part of Team Penske.
Logano’s Gritty Comeback at Richmond
Despite being forced to start at the rear of the field, Joey Logano mounted a strong recovery throughout the race at Richmond. The defending series champion steadily worked his way up, ultimately finishing in fourth place after a series of setbacks that tested the resilience and preparation of his team as the playoffs approach.
“We had a really fast Mustang,”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Logano elaborated that although his car showcased impressive speed, repeated tire issues—including a flat during the race—created ongoing challenges. Still, his ability to climb into the top five spotlighted both his driving skill and the team’s determination.
“We had a flat tire in practice and then another flat tire in the race and both of them were punctures. It’s not like we were being too aggressive or anything like that, it’s just running over crap on the racetrack. Not our weekend.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Logano stressed that both incidents were the result of punctures rather than driving mistakes, attributing them to objects on the track. Despite this run of bad luck, his persistence allowed him to salvage a strong result, reinforcing his and Team Penske’s readiness as the postseason draws near.
Implications for NASCAR’s Tire Policy and Future Races
The incident involving the Joey Logano tire deal at Richmond draws attention to the intricacies of NASCAR’s tire allocation rules, as well as the unwritten code among teams regarding fairness and competitive balance. By opting for a transaction that permitted a full complement of tires despite practice misfortune, Team Penske set a precedent for how such challenges might be managed in future Cup Series events.
Denny Hamlin’s conflicted reaction mirrors broader debates within the sport about sportsmanship and resource distribution. As NASCAR continues to evolve, episodes like this one at Richmond will likely influence how officials, teams, and drivers interpret the gray areas within the rulebook. The next few races will reveal if this approach stands as the new standard when unexpected setbacks strike in the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.
