Joey Logano walks back critical comments about Christopher Bell from All-Star Race

Joey Logano was filled with frustration towards Christopher Bell after Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. But after having a day to review the tape, Logano has walked back his criticism of the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

After the race, a “pi--ed off” Logano accused Bell of running him into the wall to take the lead in the closing laps of the race. He added he would have spun Bell out had he gotten back to his bumper. Upon further review, it “wasn’t as bad as I thought it was,” Logano said Monday.

Joey Logano reviews closing laps of All-Star Race

“When I went back and re-watched it, I was like, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was,” Logano told Dustin Long of NBC Sports. “If he did that [move Logano up the track] the first time he got to me, I’d be like, ‘Dude, why would you do that?’ But he made solid attempts to pass me. I ran him all up and down the racetrack. So, I opened the door. Like, at that point, I opened the door [to more aggressive racing]. I had to do that to try to maintain the lead. But it also to me, it was like, OK, well, if you’re willing to do that, you should be able to move that person up the racetrack. Then I should have been able to get back at him.

“I set the tone that we’re going to race like assholes. It’s OK that he did that to me. But in the moment, you’re just pi--ed, right? You’re just like, ‘He ran me up the track.’ Then, when I watched it, I was like, ‘Nah, it’s probably warranted.’ So, I shouldn’t have said that [after the race]. You’re mad. It is what it is. He knocked me up and then moved me up. Would I have done the same? Probably. Especially after someone ran me all over the racetrack like I did, I probably would have done the same. I’m a really bad loser. I’m a sore loser. I can’t help it. It is who I am, but I think that’s also what makes us winners.”

Joey Logano misses out on going back-to-back at North Wilkesboro

Perhaps more frustrating in the moment was that he was the dominant car for much of the night. He led a race-high 139-of-250 laps; the Promoter’s Caution changed everything. Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith ordered Michael Waltrip to throw the yellow flag at Lap 216. That brought the field down pit road one final time.

That is, most of the field. Logano and Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney were among the drivers who stayed out. Logano blocked Bell as long as he could on old tires. Bell cleared him with nine laps to go.

“Yeah, I’m all about no gimmicks with the caution,” Logano said of the Promoter’s Caution. “I am all about that. I’m a little — me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, OK? I’ve got to have a word with him.”