NASCAR Cup Series

Team Penske announced today a multi-year extension with sponsor Shell/Pennzoil, driver Joey Logano and crew chief Todd Gordon through the 2022 season and beyond. Car owner Roger Penske and Logano were part of a press conference announcing the extensions. Below are excerpts from that event.

JIM CAMPBELL, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT OF PERFORMANCE VEHICLES AND MOTORSPORTS (CHEVROLET), ALONG WITH CHEVROLET TEAM OWNERS, RICHARD CHILDRESS, CHIP GANASSI, AND RICK HENDRICK, met with members of the media to discuss the start of the 2017 season, along with many other topics. Full Transcript:

Jeremy Bullins, crew chief for Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, spoke with Ford Performance regarding the teams decision to move to a backup car for the 500 after damage to the 21 in last night’s Duel.

Current and former Roush Fenway Racing drivers Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed, Greg Biffle and David Ragan all share a unique bond; each driver scored historic first wins at the famed Daytona International Speedway.

Three-time Daytona 500 winner and four-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champ Jeff Gordon will lead the field to the start of Sunday’s Daytona 500 behind the wheel of the new 2017 Camaro ZL1 pace car.

Team Penske announced today that the organization has reached an agreement with 26-year-old Joey Logano to drive for the team through the 2022 season and beyond. The multi-year extension ensures that the 2015 Daytona 500 Champion and 17-time Monster Energy Series NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) winner will continue to be an integral part of the Team Penske organization.

DJ Kennington of St. Thomas, Ontario will realize a lifelong dream this Sunday and for the first time since 1988 a Canadian will race in the Daytona 500. In a car fielded by Gaunt Brothers Racing with support from Kennington’s long time sponsor Castrol Canada and Lordco Auto Parts, DJ Kennington will start the 59th running of the Daytona 500 from the 30th position.

Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin won the Can-Am Duel races on Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway, as the starting grid for Sunday’s 59th annual DAYTONA 500 was established by the two 150-mile qualifying events.

Corey LaJoie made the most of his Monster Energy NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway, securing a spot in the Daytona 500 in his No. 83 BK Racing Toyota.

Sorry, but this column is arriving a day later than my usual Thursday date. Of course, it has something to do with the race that gives me the data to mess around with did not take place until Thursday. It is not my fault.