NASCAR notebook
With Sprint Cup debut looming, Logano drawing comparisions to Gordon
LOUDON, N.H. — Joey Logano's first NASCAR Sprint Cup start, today at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, is the most anticipated debut since Jeff Gordon arrived in the top stock car series.
The difference is that when Gordon made his first Cup start it was with a whole lot less fanfare than has accompanied the debut of the 18-year-old Logano.
That's because Gordon's first Cup race was the final event of the 1992 season and included a three-way title battle among eventual champion Alan Kulwicki, Bill Elliott and Davey Allison, as well as being the final race for NASCAR icon Richard Petty.
After a quiet start, crashing out in 31st place in his debut at the age of 21, Gordon has certainly lived up to his billing, becoming one of the biggest stars in the sport.
"He's hyped up way more than me and has more talent and experience than me at that age," Gordon said of Logano. "It's pretty impressive what he's been able to accomplish and do. I think he's great for our sport."
After running up to six Cup races this season, Logano will take the huge step next year of replacing two-time champion Tony Stewart — who is heading off to his own team — in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
"It's a little bit soon for him to become a full-time Cup driver," Gordon said. "But you've got to look at the situation and there was really no other option for Gibbs and for him. So he'll get a quick start and I think he'll do very well.
"Just looking at the practice times last week in Richmond, he was impressive right out of the box. These days, you don't have the luxury of testing like you used to. As a rookie, you could go and test a lot of these tracks before you raced at them. And you don't have that anymore.
"So, it's going to be even tougher on him and I think he'll live up to it."
Hornaday wins
Ron Hornaday Jr. took the lead on a restart with 42 laps to go and was out front most of the way en route to a victory Saturday in the Craftsman Truck Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Hornaday raced to his series-high fifth victory of the season, holding off a late charge by points leader Johnny Benson to win his second straight race. Hornaday had the truck to beat all day in the 200-lap race, never faltered on his restarts and cruised to victory even as the race was marred late by cautions.
Hornaday, who has a record 38 career truck victories, told ESPN The Magazine earlier this week that he used a testosterone cream during 2004 and 2005 to treat a medical issue. NASCAR met with him on Friday and found no reason to punish Hornaday for the admission.
