NBC Sports
Magic happens in Martinsville. In a CRAZY first race in the Round of 8 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, three decisive drivers came out STRONG for optimal positioning: Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, and Joey Logano.
There were 11 lead changes among six drivers throughout the duration of the race. Joey and Brad Keselowski battled it out in early, with the #22 car going full Thunderdome by the end of the race.
In the final lap, Joey managed to outmaneuver Martin Truex Jr in Turn 4 with an AGGRESSIVE shove on the short track. Way more than a little love tap. The move was full throttle BDE, with Joey getting the checkered flag.
WHAT A FINISH!#NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/YNEMDjARG3
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 28, 2018
Some NASCAR fans are ticked by the move, calling it dirty. I imagine these have to be the same people who get mad at big hits in hockey.
https://twitter.com/taranicolee5617/status/1056683432766521344
https://twitter.com/amandafrommn88/status/1056683316886286339
Typical dick move by @joeylogano #NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs Can't wait for payback @MartinTruex_Jr 💥 pic.twitter.com/M5V9dWhHXq
— Tracy (@TracySmithMyers) October 28, 2018
Hey @joeylogano remember this. Hope to see a repeat visit! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vU1G3np0AN
— 🇺🇦 Mr Croft 🇺🇦 (@pcroft) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/chad_battle/status/1056679244443594752
Others, including myself, consider it a great move, showing of the ferocity of Joey’s driving.
I see everyone crying, but that was a good clean pass by @joeylogano … standard short track stuff. He didn't wreck him. … And Truex fans would have loved it if the roles were reversed. #NASCARPlayoffs #nascar
— Matt Myftiu (@MattMyftiu) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/LonghornFan1979/status/1056681922104037376
Yes the 78 races clean but when it’s the last turn on the last lap for a chance to win the championship a slight nudge is expected. 22 barley hit him then 78 tries to spin him on the front stretch. 78 again gets aggressive after the race, just like the Roval #NASCARPlayoffs
— Lucas DeBella (@LucasDeBella1) October 28, 2018
There is never going to be a consensus on if it's just racing or a dirty move. There are too many factors to take into account: likability of the driver, who they were racing, what happened to the other driver, etc. We don't have to like it. It is what it is. #NASCARPlayoffs
— Jill Holland (@jillmarieee2) October 28, 2018
This is certainly going to make things interesting on the road to Homestead. Joey Logano is racing for a championship, his negative opinions on cargo shorts be damned.
Love or hate the move, @JoeyLogano's headed to @HomesteadMiami to race for a championship for the third time in his career. #NASCARPlayoffs #TeamJL pic.twitter.com/RKVOcTqVIW
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 28, 2018