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FONTANA, Calif. — Joey Logano will join defending Auto Club 400 race winner Jimmie Johnson near the rear of Sunday’s starting grid.
They are among a small group of drivers who did not turn a single qualifying lap in Friday afternoon’s time trials at 2-mile Auto Club Speedway.
While Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports team chose not to attempt a qualifying lap after going to a backup car, Logano’s Team Penske group was unable to clear inspection in time to get his car on track. It had been fifth fastest in opening practice.
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Five cars in all did not participate in qualifying. Trevor Bayne, Matt DiBenedetto and rookie Gray Gaulding joined Logano and Johnson without a qualifying attempt in the late-afternoon session.
While frustrated with the turn of events, Logano remained optimistic about his chances come race day.
“No sense being mad about it now,” said Logano, driver of the No. 22 AAA Southern California Ford. “You have to look ahead and I think our car is fast. Tires wear out here so as everyone is making laps on their first run tires now, that’s our advantage. The disadvantage is we’re starting form the back.
“But here we go. It’ll be exciting. We’ll be making big moves, I know that.”
Bayne, Logano, DiBenedetto and Gaulding all will lose 15 minutes of practice time because of the qualifying inspection issues. The No. 6 failed LIS twice; the Nos. 22, 23 and 32 all failed LIS the second time through. In addition, David Ragan will be on a 15-minute practice hold Saturday after his No. 38 was found to have missing seals.