Charlotte, NC – According to a report from the Charlotte Observer on Monday, Joey Logano will join Penske Racing to drive the No. 22 car in the Sprint Cup Series, beginning in 2013.
The report indicated that an official announcement of Logano's signing with Penske could come as early as Tuesday. Logano is in the final year of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing. He has been driving the No. 20 car for JGR in Sprint Cup as well as competing in several Nationwide Series races for the team.
JGR has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, with the expected announcement of Matt Kenseth as driver of the No. 20 for next year. Kenseth, the 2003 champion in NASCAR's premier series, has been driving for Roush Fenway Racing since his 2000 rookie-of-the-year season. He began this season by winning his second Daytona 500.
Sam Hornish Jr. has been driving the No. 22 for Penske on an interim basis since A.J. Allmendinger was placed on suspension by NASCAR the first weekend in July for violating its substance abuse policy. Allmendinger was later released from the team after he failed his second drug test and therefore had his NASCAR suspension status elevated from temporary to indefinite.
While Kenseth has already clinched a spot in this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, Logano is one of several drivers attempting to qualify for the 10-race playoffs as a wild card. Logano claimed his second career win in the series in June at Pocono. He is currently 18th in the point standings.
The regular season concludes on Saturday at Richmond.
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