With change to 96, there's no rain on Logano's parade

LOUDON, N.H. -- As rain rudely assaulted New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Friday, a handful of numeric decals and a bill of sale made all the difference for Sprint Cup newcomer Joey Logano.

About 45 seconds after NASCAR announced that, for the second consecutive Friday, Sprint Cup qualifying was canceled, a writer in the media center hollered at a NASCAR official, "Is Logano in?"

Breath of fresh air

Though just 18, don't expect Joey Logano to lose his head. How can you tell? By listening to him, writes Dave Rodman.

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Logano, 18, will make his Sprint Cup debut Sunday in the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff opener, the Sylvania 300, because Hall of Fame Racing's No. 96 Toyota satisfies the rule book's parameters for a rainout lineup; whereas last weekend at Richmond International Raceway, the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 02 Toyota that was entered for Logano did not.

"It's nice to be in the 96 now and I can at least be in the race," Logano said. "If we would have come back here with the 02 then we would have been going home again. Thank goodness we're not and finally we can get it in here."

Hall of Fame originally entered the veteran Ken Schrader in its car for New Hampshire and JGR entered the 02 for Logano, but on Wednesday, JGR dropped the 02 and HOF put Logano in the 96. Thus Logano, who swept both Camping World East division races here last year including the the June event from the pole, will make his third start at the "Magic Mile" from 40th.

After turning only the 38th-best lap in practice earlier Friday, before the rain came, Logano wasn't sure what to feel after the rainout announcement was made.

"I'm not sure that it's a relief -- it is what it is, you know -- I'm in," Logano said. "I don't think it relieves any pressure from me -- it's what we got. It's kind of good. We'll put everything back in race trim and change a lot of stuff for [Saturday]."

There are two practices scheduled Saturday for Cup cars, the first for 45 minutes with a 65-minute final practice. Logano said he was taking things a step at a time.

"I'm waiting for [the race] to get started," Logano said. "Done with? Not yet. I think I'm looking forward to [Saturday] and we have some things that we're going to try and hopefully get this thing a lot better. That's what I'm really looking forward to right now and after that we'll think about Sunday."

Sunday's event is one of six Cup races this season that are planned for Logano, who will be a 2009 rookie next season when he takes over JGR teammate Tony Stewart's No. 20 Toyota. (Continued)