Logano closing second Cup season on a hot streak

Joey Logano, member of the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup. That might sound a little premature, and just a season ago, probably a little far-fetched. After all, just last season, Logano was an 18-year-old rookie who took over one of the most successful rides from one of the most successful drivers -- the No. 20 and Tony Stewart.

But now, especially after the past five races, the thought of Logano in next season's Chase sounds about right -- if not likely. Logano's past five finishes have all been in the top 10, and neatly better than the last. The finishes in order: 7-6-5-4-3. His stats during the streak impress: an average finish of 5.0, a Driver Rating of 103.0, an Average Running Position of 9.9, a Pass Differential (passes minus times passed) of plus- 66, 44 Fastest Laps Run, 39 Laps Led and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 78.5.

Compare those numbers to those prior to the streak, and the improvement is startling. Here are his season stats after the event at Fontana, the last time Logano finished outside the top 10: an average finish of 18.0, a Driver Rating of 77.5, an Average Running Position of 17.7, 14 Laps Led and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 47.3.

Logano has vaulted from 20th in the point standings prior to the streak to his current position of 16th. Only 17 points behind Ryan Newman, the 20-year-old has a legitimate shot at cracking the top 15 in the final points.

Can Logano continue the streak? His maturation is such that last year's 24th-place finish at Homestead might not provide much insight. In that race, Logano had a Driver Rating of 64.0, an Average Running Position of 21.6 and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of just 10.1.

Possibly his Nationwide Series runs at Homestead could be more indicative of how he'll run this Sunday. Logano's two Nationwide starts at Homestead have both resulted in top-10 finishes, and he has a combined Driver Rating of 109.8 and an Average Running Position of 6.4.