Joey Logano eyes Cup Series gain after replacing Hailie Deegan in Xfinity: "More is going to be better"

Joey Logano seized the opportunity to replace Hailie Deegan in the NASCAR Xfinity race in Chicago, aiming to get valuable laps on a street course under his belt in a bid to improve his race craft.

Logano's substitute appearance had created plenty of buzz on social media, yet the two-time Cup champion remained focused on trying to extract the most from the AM Racing Ford. Although a 15th-place qualifying position left many unimpressed, he drove to an 8th-place finish, marking the best result of the season for the #15 Ford team.

Joey Logano delved into how he got the opportunity to replace Hailie Deegan and why he grabbed the chance to gain more street course experience. The Team Penske driver cited Shane van Gisbergen's expertise at such tracks, suggesting that van Gisbergen's experience gave him an edge over his competitors.

"There is no doubt that running on a street course more is going to be better. I think the best example of that is Shane um right when you look at you know the experience he had on Street Courses it showed up immediately in a car he never drove before here," Logano said in a press conference. (via Peter Stratt).

Logano explained that driving an Xfinity car around the track would help him get comfortable with the walls, and understand the nuances of the course, which would better prepare him for his upcoming Cup race.

"So it tells me it doesn't matter what kind of car you're driving it he's able to gain that experience and so you know for me when this opportunity showed up I was like well yeah I'll drive it, I'll do it!" he added

Ultimately, both Joey Logano and AM Racing benefited from the driver swap, with the team achieving its best result of the season at Chicago. However, Hailie Deegan's future in the Xfinity series appears uncertain.

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Joey Logano provides his opinion on more NASCAR street races in the future

The #22 Team Penske driver explained how NASCAR benefits from bringing races to the streets in a bid to attract attention. He highlighted that diehard fans are willing to travel to any venue for a race, but a street course event can bring NASCAR closer to casual viewers, sparking their interest and potentially engaging them more deeply with the sport.

Here's what Joey Logano said in the press conference ahead of the Chicago Street race weekend:

"If you’re a diehard NASCAR fan, you’re going to go to a race, right? You’re going to travel. You’re going to do the whole experience. You’re going to go wherever your favorite track may be that you want to see the cars at and do the whole night. Whereas here, if you’re not a NASCAR fan, well, guess what? We’re in your face. You’re here. Like, you’re going to like it. We’re going to make you like it, at least. At least you're gonna have to see it. " [at 2:00]

Joey Logano mentioned that the next-gen cars roaring through the streets of a city will attract a wider audience, sparking curiosity about the stock car racing series. The second edition of the Chicago Street race is scheduled for this Sunday, July 7, at 4:30 PM ET. The #22 Penske driver lines up 32nd on the grid.