Team Penske issues statement in wake of Matt Kenseth penalty

In the wake of Matt Kenseth’s two-race suspension Tuesday for intentionally wrecking its driver, Joey Logano, Team Penske released a statement Tuesday.

The team said:

“While the events that transpired at Martinsville Speedway were certainly disappointing for both of our teams, Team Penske remains focused on and working towards winning this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and the following race at Phoenix International Raceway in hopes of getting both Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski into the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”

Logano was leading with 45 laps remaining in the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 when his No. 22 Ford was sent into the Turn 1 wall by Kenseth’s No. 20 Toyota. Logano, who has a series-high six victories, is ranked last (28 points behind Kevin Harvick, who occupies the current cutoff spot) among the eight remaining drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, with two races remaining in the final round.

His teammate, Brad Keselowski, who was involved in a wreck with Kenseth on an earlier restart, is ranked sixth in points, 24 points behind Harvick.

Jeff Gordon, who won Martinsville, and three other drivers will advance to the Nov. 22 championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The final slots will be filled via wins at Texas Motor Speedway or Phoenix International Raceway or by the points standings.