Joey Logano        Driver, No. 51 stock car          USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series    Age 16

"If you're not focused, you're probably in the wall."

Joe Gibbs Racing development driver, Joey Logano, has grown up in racing and now grown taller too. Just 16 years-old and considered a savvy veteran, not long ago the slender Logano looked like the child he really is. This year Logano is still slender but his stature has sprouted several inches and his voice has deepened as he edges toward adulthood.

Logano has been competing with skilled adults much of his adolescence so the seat time he logs in USAR is a huge plus. NASCAR has a steadfast minimum age rule set at 18 and no matter how proficient he becomes he has to wait more than a year before he can advance. In the mean time he has packed a lot of good racing sense in his young mind and that could lead to a promising future.

That's an emotional leap that counts enormously on the competitive motorsports road that leads to top series like NASCAR Craftsman trucks, Busch or NEXTEL Cup. Many seek that journey, few arrive. Time seems to have benefited Logano, but as in all prospective futures only time will tell.

Time:Late Season 2006
Place: USA International Speedway, Lakeland, Fla.
Event: Hooters Pro Cup race

Dwight asked Joey Logano:

You're in your second season in HPCS. What's that feel like to you?
"Actually I think we got a lot better year than we did last year. We signed with Joe Gibbs Racing and I think this year will be better. We'll see what happens."

Where do you feel you are on the learning curve?
"I'm going to be learning for the rest of my life. I think everyone still learns. I'm trying to take in all I can right now. That way it will help me along."

How does Joe Gibbs equipment help you?
"It's really a competitive series. We tried different stuff over the winter running out of the Busch shop, so we've learned a lot. We're going to try some new things."

Do you think motorsports champions have common traits and skills? If so, can you identify a few?
"I don't know. I think it's a desire to win, really. I feel like I have plenty of that. I'd say I'm one of the most competitive people out there whether it's playing checkers or on the racetrack for sure. I'd say it's being competitive and the desire to win. That's the biggest thing to make a champion out of you.

How much have you grown since you've been with Joe Gibbs?
"Ha. Probably a foot, for crying out loud. We were talking about that the other day at the shop. I think it's two or three inches at least."

How is your year going?
"The year as far as Pro Cup is not where I need it to be this year. We've had a lot of bad luck. We've had good cars. Early on in the season we had cars that could win almost every race. Lately we got stuck with one of our cars that we wrecked big and we're trying to get it fixed."

Focus is important. Is there a secret to keeping focused?
"Focus is one of the biggest things out here. You have to run many laps and if you're not focused you're probably in the wall. Focus is one of the biggest things. You've got on you're A game. That's got to be the only game you got. You've just got to go out there and put the hammer down and stay focused the whole race and you'll do pretty good."

Can focusing be learned?
"I don't know. I think you've either got it or you don't. I don't think there is a certain way to keep focused or not."

Do race car drivers ever stop learning?
"No. I haven't. I don't know if anyone else has. I know every time I hit the racetrack, I learn something new whether it's about the track or the car or racing. I think the day you stop learning is the day you're pretty much done."

What's the difference between you and the average driver on roads and highways?
"Awesome. I'm not real sure. I'd say I might be a little more calm on the highway. Some people always want to go out there that don't get to go 150 mph and they want to do it in the highway which is kind of dumb in my eyes. I'd say that's one of the biggest things is that I can get it out of my system and not go 150 mph down the highway. I'd say that's probably one of the biggest things."