During an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive” on Tuesday, NASCAR driver Joey Logano responded to criticism from Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones regarding a radio outburst he had about teammate Austin Cindric during last weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Logano dismissed Jones’ comments, questioning the former MLB star’s qualifications to weigh in on racing matters. “Has Chipper Jones ever driven a race car at Talladega?” Logano asked, implying that without firsthand experience, Jones’ opinion held little weight in the context of NASCAR competition.
The controversy stemmed from an incident during the race at Talladega when Logano and Cindric found themselves on opposite lanes late in the second stage. Logano was leading the inside lane and was in a tight battle with Bubba Wallace for the stage win. Meanwhile, Cindric was positioned behind Wallace in the outside line. Logano felt that his teammate could have helped him by switching lanes or blocking for him, and his frustration boiled over in radio communications, leading to pointed remarks that caught the attention of fans and even Jones, a longtime racing enthusiast.
Despite the on-air frustrations, Logano revealed that he and Cindric had since cleared the air. “We talked and we moved on,” Logano said, signaling that the teammates are ready to put the incident behind them and focus on the rest of the season. He acknowledged that emotions often run high during races, especially at a track like Talladega, where drafting and teamwork are crucial to success and split-second decisions can determine the outcome of a stage or the entire race.
Logano’s comments emphasized the intensity of competition at NASCAR’s superspeedways and the challenges of racing with teammates in high-pressure situations. While he stood by his original feelings in the moment, his follow-up remarks suggested a willingness to move forward without lingering tension. By questioning Jones’ understanding of the sport from a driver’s perspective, Logano underscored the complexities of racing that might not be fully grasped by those outside the sport, even if they are experienced athletes in their own right.
The exchange highlighted the intersection of sports fandom and professional insight, while reinforcing the emotional stakes involved in top-tier NASCAR racing.
