DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Joey Logano is proof that youngsters still do listen to their elders.

After matching his career best finish of ninth Saturday night at Darlington Raceway -- arguably the toughest track on the circuit -- the 18-year-old gave partial credit to a past champion and new-found mentor, Cale Yarborough.

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Before Joey Logano tried to tame the Lady for the first time, he was showed the ropes by Cale Yarborough.

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The 70-year-old Yarborough chauffeured Logano around the track in a two-seater stock car last month all the while giving the Joe Gibbs Racing rookie pointers for his Darlington debut.

"Going with Cale helped a little bit," said Logano, who became the first rookie to lead at Darlington since Kasey Kahne in 2004. "The last few laps I was thinking about what he was telling me and I actually tried it. He was trying to say back up the corners and get back to the gas before you get to the fence in [Turns] 3 and 4 and try to drive the car with the throttle. I started doing it at the end because my car was getting tight and it seemed to help a little bit. I guess Cale knows what he is talking about."

That Yarborough does, as the three-time Cup champion has five Southern 500 victories.

But Darlington, the track dubbed Too Tough to Tame, typically is unkind to rookies regardless if Logano took a ride with Yarborough or not. And making laps in a rental car, as Logano did in March with teammate Denny Hamlin, seemingly won't make or break your run on a track that tests your mental ability just as much as your physical ability.

It's a fast 1.366-mile oval where up against the wall is the fastest way around the track.

"This place will freaking kill you, believe me," Logano said. "You're running right up by the fence all day and you're like, 'Aaahhhh,' every time you go through the corner and you're like, 'Oh, I about hit the fence.' It's close but it's fun. It's grueling and I'm glad it's over."

Understandably, the Logano said the night was filled with ups and downs. He started the race in the fifth spot but was too loose early and went backward. Crew chief Greg Zipadelli made moderate changes throughout the night and the pit crew operated flawlessly.

“

First time here in a Cup car at Darlington, and this kid just did a great job. It was fun watching the 20 car up there.

”

TONY STEWART

"His qualifying effort was huge. I think this is big for Joe Gibbs Racing, I think it's huge for Joey," Zipadelli said.

On Lap 278, Logano won the race off pit road and lead the field for 19 laps.

"I led laps in the Southern 500," he said. "I was stoked about that."

Watching proudly behind him was his predecessor and two-time Cup champion in the 20 car, Tony Stewart.

"This kid did an awesome job [Saturday night]," said Stewart, who finished third. "First time here in a Cup car at Darlington, and this kid just did a great job. It was fun watching the 20 car up there. When he was leading the race I was smiling because I knew those guys have been waiting for this for a couple weeks now. It was just a matter of time before Joey got going."

He's been "going" since notching his first top-10 finish at Talladega. After four dismal finishes all 30th or worse, Logano began to see improvements in Phoenix.

"Realistically, the way I look at it, this is our first top-10," Logano explained. "Talladega doesn't mean anything to me. It's a top-10, yeah, but it's Talladega. [Darlington] is a hard-earned top-10. No luck played into it."

Sitting next to Stewart during post-race interviews inside the Darlington media center, Logano was pleased to take the praise.

"To have Smoke happy with the way I ran his old car is a very big compliment," he said. "They are hard to get; this is a tough series, believe me."