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Joey Logano on penalty to sit out final practice: ‘It’s a total joke’

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Among the cars held during final Cup practice.

LOUDON, New Hampshire — Joey Logano, who became the first Cup driver to sit out an entire practice session this season because of a penalty, ripped NASCAR for the discipline.

NASCAR docked Logano 50 minutes - the entire length of Saturday’s final Cup practice session - because his car failed to get through qualifying inspection Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Logano’s team failed to get through in four attempts.

Logano was forced to sit in his car with his helmet on and strapped in on pit road for the entire 50-minute practice session. He could not have his engine on. He could not have a phone with him.

“I had time for a lot of thoughts in there, mainly that it’s a joke,’' Logano said after the practice session of the penalty. “I don’t know why it has to be out on pit road. I mean, a penalty is a penalty. That’s fine, but there’s no reason to sit out there. I think it’s dumb, but that’s coming from a guy that just sat in a car for an hour sweating. That may not be the best thing to say, but it’s true.’'

Asked if there are other ways to enforce such a penalty, Logano said: “I just think it makes our sport look dumb. I do. Like I said, it’s kind of a joke. I don’t get it, personally. I think we can accomplish the same thing in a more professional manner.’'

Logano said of the conditions in the car: “You sit in there and bake a little bit, but I turned my helmet fan on and I was fine. I just sat there and watched cars go by.’'

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