Talking after Logano scored his second Cup championship in 5 years, Wolfe – who himself had beforehand received the title with Brad Keselowski in 2012 – mentioned their confidence multiplied in current weeks, giving worthwhile momentum to be the quickest when it mattered within the collection finale.
Simply as in 2018, when he received his first title, Logano received within the spherical of eight at his first try and went on to win the finale, which was at Homestead then, quite than Phoenix.
“When these playoffs began this season, Joey was on his A-game, and he was targeted and decided that we have been going to win this championship,” mentioned Wolfe. “And that is the way in which he would discuss as he would come into the store and when he was across the guys and the time we might spend collectively.
“There was little question in his thoughts that we have been the favorite and we have been going to get it achieved.”
Wolfe went on to elucidate that the two-day check held at Homestead in late September – which provided uncommon operating exterior of a race weekend for the Subsequent-Gen vehicles that have been new to the collection this yr – was a pivotal second.
Logano topped the velocity charts there, having run a test-high 324 laps throughout the 2 days. He then received the Vegas spherical – one other 1.5-mile observe – simply over three weeks later, which certified him for the ultimate 4 drivers eligible for the title.
“All through the playoffs I really feel like we had the velocity,” mentioned Wolfe. “I really feel just like the Homestead check was a great turning level for us as we would have liked to seek out a bit bit. I felt wish to the Chevrolets, for certain, and the Toyotas.
“So when you could have these alternatives, you actually should ensure you’re ready to get essentially the most out of them. And that is the place I really feel like having an amazing group of men on this staff and inside Team Penske, we’re capable of profit from that. It is clearly made the distinction for us.”
Champion Joey Logano, Workforce Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang and staff proprietor Roger Penske
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
Wolfe added there have been “very restricted alternatives to check and observe, with a 20-minute observe session and really restricted modifications [at each race weekend], so it makes it actually onerous to attempt to advance and get higher.
“I believe he was fairly motivated after that check there, and we went on to run actually robust after which win Vegas, and that sort of gave him that final little bit of confidence, I assume, to know that we have been going to have the ability to come right here to Phoenix and get the job achieved.”
Wolfe instructed that computerized qualification to the championship 4 on the first try allowed his staff to give attention to the Phoenix finale right away.
“It began proper after the win in Vegas,” he mentioned of Phoenix preparations. “Everyone knows that is sort of the way it works with this method. Not that we needed to throw away these races [at Homestead and Martinsville], however I began specializing in Phoenix proper after that win that subsequent Monday, and ensuring we did not miss something.
“How a lot of a bonus is that? I do not know. I do not know which you can quantify it. However I would wish to really feel like I used to be ready as I might be coming into this weekend.
“And with loads of nice help from our team-mates and stuff coming right here this weekend, we have been capable of unload very quick after which undergo loads of issues we needed to attempt to discover a bit bit extra.”
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