Joey Logano: Youngest Driver Ever to Win in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

On Sunday, June 28, 2009, something happened in NASCAR that had never happened before. No, it wasn't that a race was shortened due to rain. That happens all the time. No, it also wasn't that NASCAR threw a caution for a piece of debris that wasn't even on the race track. Sadly, that too happens all the time. Out of guesses? Alright, the answer is that a teenager won in NASCAR's top series. Yes, that right, a man under the age of 20 went to Victory Lane. That man would be Joey Logano.

Logano came into the Sprint Cup Series well known around racing circles. When he was only 15 years old, according to JoeyLogano.com, driver Mark Martin saw him race and said he was "the real deal". That recognition brought along with it the nickname "Sliced Bread" in reference to being the best thing since...

NASCAR has a rule stating that a driver must be 18 years or older to drive in one of it's top three series. Well, according to FOXSports.com, Logano's birthday is May 24, 1990. The week following his 18th birthday, Joe Gibbs Racing had him drive in the Nationwide Series event at Dover International Speedway. There he drove the #20 car and finished 6th. Then, later in the season he went on to win at Kentucky Speedway and become the youngest driver to win a Nationwide Series race.

Logano drove a few races in the Sprint Cup Series at the end of 2008 but did not fare well, averaging a finish of 27th in his three starts according to NASCAR.com. Nest up in 2009 was the project of a full season in the #20 Home Depot car made famous by two-time champion Tony Stewart who left at the end of 2008 to start his own team. The first eight races of the year did not go so well as, according to NASCAR.com, his best finish was 21st. But, since that point he fell into a groove and has since averaged a finish of 16th leading up to his breakthrough win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after rain shortened the distance of the race and Logano was able to stay out on fuel and hang on for his first career victory.

What's next for the sensational youngster is unknown. What is known, though, is that he will only continue to improve, and that is a scary thought for all the other competitors as they realize that they will have to deal with the bright orange #20 up front for a long time to come.

"Drivers: Joey Logano." NASCAR.com.

"Joey Logano: In-depth Stats." NASCAR.com

"NASCAR - Track Stats." FOXSports.com

"Joey Logano." JoeyLogano.com