“Me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye!” Joey Logano is Mad at NASCAR Over All-Star Race Gimmick that cost him $1 million payday

Team Penske Racing veteran Joey Logano has shared his frustration over North Wilkesboro All-Star race loss to Christopher Bell.

“Me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye!” Joey Logano is Mad at NASCAR Over All-Star Race Gimmick that cost him $1 million payday

Joey Logano (Via IMAGO)

The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano came into this weekend’s race at the iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway with one goal. Secure a consecutive All-Star race win and go back to Team Penske Racing shop with the $1 million cheque. But Joe Gibbs Racing star man Christopher Bell had other plans.

The No:20 Toyota Camry secured the win over the No:22 Ford, despite only leading 28 laps compared to the latter’s 139 laps, taking advantage of promoters’ caution. It was a gimmick that was introduced for this weekend, with the aim of having an unexpected non-natural caution to make racing more entertaining.

The caution was called by Marcus Smith, when Joey Logano was comfortably leading the race and the pit-stops that came due to yellow flag, changed the whole race. The veteran is mad at the moment owing to losing the race, in a car that deserved the win, due to a manufactured caution. Him being someone who always hated such NASCAR gimmicks makes it more frustrating.

I’m [mad] right now. Just dang it, we had the fastest car. The Shell-Pennzoil Mustang was so fast. You get to… I’m trying to choose my words correctly on the caution situation. Obviously, I got bit by it, so I am the one frustrated, obviously….

Joey Logano said via RACER.

The veteran asserted that he hated the caution gimmicks, as it ruins the naturality of the race for the sake of entertainment. He then admitted that he and NASCAR’s Smith isn’t at the situation where they are seeing eye to eye due to the incident and revealed that he will have a discussion with Smith on the situation in the coming days.

I’m all about no gimmicks with the caution. I am all about that. I’m a little… me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, OK? I’ve got to have a word with him.

Joey Logano added.

Christopher Bell only has good things to say about the race

In the meantime, Christopher Bell, the day is really special, and he has n-complaints about the race other than it just being an exhibition race despite the potential. He was able to help JGR win its first million dollars race since Kyle Busch brought home the bacon back in 2017, an eight-year long drought.

Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell celebrating All-Star race win (Via @CBellRacing/X)

Talking about his performance and the race, he branded it as an amazing event with competition from almost all of the front runners. The two-wide and three-wide battles at the from for the lead made it a money well spent event for the fans that showed up on the track. The race win is the cherry at the top for him.

Man, that was an amazing race. There were so many guys up there racing for the lead. We saw two-wide, three-wide for the lead. It’s just a pleasure to race here, and especially whenever you get to drive this Mobil 1 Toyota Camry.

Joey Logano said.

The difference in attitude towards the race from Joey Logano and Christopher Bell is mostly the product of the race result. The Ford driver is justified in being angry, as he lost his advantage in a non-natural caution. But to NASCAR points, the format was already announced, and everyone knew it was coming. It just that it hurts more to be Logano than anyone else at the track after the race.

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