Gibbs wowed by Logano's win

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- We caught up with NASCAR car owner Joe Gibbs before today's LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway and asked for his reaction to Joey Logano's milestone triumph Saturday night in a Nationwide Series event at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky.

The 18-year-old Logano, the 2007 Busch East Series champion from Middletown, Conn., became the youngest winner in Nationwide Series history after he recorded the first series triumph of his career in just his third start.

``I was so concerned the first part of the year with Joey, even though we knew all the talent and everything that he had,'' Gibbs said. ``I was worried about all the pressure that had been put on him. You kind of watch him and the family and his support and everything he has. He's handled everything so well and we're just thrilled that we could get off to that kind of start with him.

``I think he's mature beyond his years, it's obvious that he has a lot of talent,'' Gibbs added. ``I'm really happy for him and obviously thrilled for us. We just couldn't be happier with our start there.''

Asked if Logano's start exceeded his expectations, Gibbs replied, ``I don't think anybody would have thought he would have [had the start he's had]. It's extremely hard, we know how hard it is up here. I tell everybody that even though we have obviously been on a roll this year _ in the Nationwide Series we probably spent six years and won just three races. It's extremely hard to compete over there and get it done and we've had good drivers.

``It's been a struggle for us, but this year we seemed to have hit it and I'm really proud of our crew chiefs and everybody over there. We're really happy for Joey.''

Gibbs indicated that Logano's strong start could put him on a fast-track to a Cup ride later this year.

``Whether we are going to be able to do it or not, we want to make sure his stuff is the right way,'' Gibbs said. ``Our biggest concern with Joey is that we knew the talent and we're committed for the long haul and we're just going to take our time. Also, I think he tested 32 times for us in different cars getting ready for this year. He's been in a Cup car a bunch and so every time he gets in there he's extremely smooth and seems to handle himself real well.

``If we could get him in something _ we wold like to at the end of this year.''

New Hampshire, perhaps?

``I don't know,'' Gibbs said. ``It would probably be somewhere that he felt comfortable and we felt like it was the right place. Like I said, it has a lot to do with the cars and who we could put with him and all that as a crew chief and everything.''