After a controversial incident at Richmond Raceway, NASCAR driver Joey Logano faced a substantial $50,000 fine for a breach of conduct involving a burnout on pit road. Logano has paid the hefty fine and spoken candidly about his actions and the emotional context behind them.
The incident unfolded in the aftermath of a contentious race where Austin Dillon’s maneuvers wrecked both Logano and Denny Hamlin, propelling Dillon to a victory. Logano’s response was to perform a burnout, an action that, while expressing his agitation, breached NASCAR’s conduct protocols on pit road.
Whilst speaking to the media ahead of the race in Michigan, Logano acknowledged his misstep, stating to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, as quoted by Yard Barker:
“I mean let’s face it what I did was probably not right. I had complete control of my vehicle, I was never going to hit somebody. That’s never gone through my mind that I should run somebody over with a vehicle. I don’t just see red and think I’m going to hit somebody. I was very frustrated at the moment, I think there’s, you know put some things into perspective a little bit, from the in-car camera I’m rolling down pit road, they pointed me to the left, to go to, you guys know the top-10 cars and big story cars, and obviously I was a storyline.
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“And there was no way for me to get there. I stopped, got aggravated, somebody put their hand in the car, I dumped the clutch. Like I said, never going to put someone in trouble and hurt somebody with that, and I understand the optics of it and if you’re on the other end of it, know that I’m not going to hit somebody. So, I understand the penalty. I wired 50 grand over to their bank at PNC and off it went. I’m not a robot, I’m a human.”
Logano likened the scenario to witnessing robbers celebrate with stolen possessions openly.
“The best comparison I can think of that can help people relate. It’s like your house got broken into and they took all your stuff, and about a minute and a half later you saw them all dancing in your yard with all your stuff. What would you do, right? You kinda gotta put a little bit of it into perspective. I obviously was not going to do anything to hurt anybody, but obviously, I’m not a robot and I was emotional about it, and rightfully so. But still doesn’t mean I should have done what I did. Like I said, wired it over to their bank and off we go.”
Despite the ordeal, Logano confirmed he would not be appealing the fine. His primary focus remains on advancing through the racing season.