NASCAR’s Joey Logano has been named as the celebrity driver of this year’s Cat Car for Kids in the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body at Riverside International Speedway on July 21. Logano, nicknamed “Sliced Bread” – as in the best thing since…, is best-known as driver of the No. 20 Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, a seat he’s held since 2009 when he won the Rookie of the Year title in NASCAR’s premier series. He also competes part-time on NASCAR’s Nationwide Series driving the No. 20 Toyota. Both cars are fielded for Logano by Joe Gibbs Racing. He is currently 13th in Sprint Cup Series point standings after seven events; he has one Sprint Cup Series win on his resume along with 10 Nationwide Series victories. Logano is the youngest driver to ever win in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide series.
“We’re thrilled to have a driver of Joey’s calibre joining us this year,” said Riverside track manager Paul McLean. “It is especially meaningful when you consider their busy schedules and that they take the time to compete in events like ours.”
Dan MacLeod, Regional Manager, Used Equipment & Rentals at Atlantic Tractors, sponsor of the Cat Car for Kids for Logano, is equally thrilled to be involved with the event for the fourth straight year.
“Atlantic Cat’s relationship with the IWK 250 and Cat Car for Kids program started in 2008 when we proudly became an annual sponsor of the impressive event,” said MacLeod. “Riverside International Speedway presents itself as the ideal venue for supporting the many teams, drivers and crews that bring an unparalleled level of racing excitement to fans throughout our region. Atlantic Cat is particularly proud to be part of an event that makes a difference in the lives of sick children and their families who will benefit the most from the race.”
Logano, who will be 22 in May, is coming to Riverside with one thing on his mind: winning.
“I am competitive in everything I do, whether it is fooseball or driving cars,” said Logano. “I expect the competition will be tough with the regional racers but I can promise you if I have a shot for the win at the end of the race, I will go for it.”
Logano is hoping his expertise at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he has a Nationwide Series win, will help him adjust to Riverside, which was built as a scale-model of the famous Tennessee track.
“I expect the competition will be tough but I’m hoping my experience at Bristol will help me adapt quickly,” said the Connecticut native. “I will be the one guy in a car he’s never driven on a track he’s never seen. People will expect us to run up front. I think they would be disappointed if we don’t.”
Logano’s trip to Riverside will be his first to Nova Scotia and third race in Canada, where he has competed in Montreal’s Nationwide Series events.
“Canada has great racing and amazing fans,” said Logano, now a resident of Huntersville, North Carolina. “I am really looking forward to the IWK 250.”
Logano joins an impressive list of NASCAR celebrity drivers who have entered the IWK 250, including Aric Almirola, Marcos Ambrose, Ricky Craven, David Reutimann, and Regan Smith – the only celebrity driver who has managed to take the prestigious IWK 250 crown from the local drivers (2008).
The Cat Car for Kids program sponsored by Atlantic Cat provides an integral link in the event to the facility it is named for – and especially to the patients and their families when a few days before the race, both Logano and the race car will make an appearance at the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax, where those in attendance will be invited to sign the car as co-sponsors with Atlantic Cat.
Since 2007 the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body has raised awareness – and more than $100,000 – for the IWK Children’s Health Centre.
The 2012 edition of the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body is set for July 21 at Riverside International Speedway as the culmination of a two-day special event that will open July 20 with the Napa Sportsman Series. Tickets and event details will be announced as the event draws closer.
From Riverside Int’l Speedway
Discussion about this post