Track Smack: Search is on for the 'next big thing' (cont'd)

3. Joey Logano was having a trying rookie season before his rain-shortened victory at New Hampshire. Will that win create unrealistic expectations?

Mark Aumann: I think "unrealistic expectations" were placed on Joey long before last weekend. We're asking an amazing amount from a 19-year-old kid.

Raygan Swan: You know, I don't think so at all. Joey is very humble and he admitted he didn't have the car to beat and that he was happy to be more lucky than good that day. He knows that he still is in the learning process, as does his boss, Joe Gibbs. Maybe for the uninformed, it could create unreal expectations, but not the team surrounding Joey.

David Caraviello: I would think not. Joey's getting the benefit of something few drivers seem to get these days on the Sprint Cup tour -- patience. The Gibbs folks know he's young, he hasn't been able to test this year, and that his development is going to take time. None of that should change because he gambled his way into a rainy victory at New Hampshire.

Star power

It may still be a year or so away, but Joe Menzer says Joey Logano has plenty of time. And loads of talent. And obviously that winning smile.

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Mark Aumann: There are some folks who handed him multiple championships before he even made it to a touring series. The whole "Sliced Bread" moniker is a testament to that. There's a rush in this business to find the "next big thing." I just hope Joey gets the chance to progress at his own pace. The past is littered with shattered careers of guys who were the "next big thing." One that comes to mind is Casey Atwood. At 20, Atwood had a full-time Cup ride. By 22, he was "washed up." Yeah, he's still out there but he'll never live up to the hype.

Raygan Swan: Right David, and Home Depot seems to have patience with him as well. The start of the season was a bit scary, but look how much he has improved since Martinsville. Gibbs knows that, and he appreciates Joey's ability to overcome problems on the track and battle back.

David Caraviello: What it might change, though, is his profile. The kid has a great smile and a very likeable personality. For someone who won a lot of races growing up, he's still rather humble. That's the kind of thing people like to see, and now that he's a race winner his popularity may rise as a result.

Raygan Swan: Joe Menzer had a great column to that point, David. Joey will be the sport's most popular driver at some point in his career, sooner than later. He is a great role model for his age.

David Caraviello: But let's be honest here. Absolutely no disrespect intended to Joey, because a win on the Sprint Cup tour is a win on the Sprint Cup tour, no matter how you cut it. But that was as much Greg Zipadelli's win as anyone else. Getting back on the lead lap, improving the car after the spinout, staying out because of the threat of rain -- those were all crew chief strategy calls.

Raygan Swan: Good point David, but actually it was Tony Stewart's win -- the one that got away last year due to weather, as Tony said after Sunday's race. But seriously, Zippy made some great calls and the team worked hard as well.

Mark Aumann: I know the Gibbs folks would have liked to have given Joey a year of seasoning, especially when NASCAR banned testing. But we'll have to see. The talent's certainly there.

Raygan Swan: Then again, Joey the driver needs credit as well for putting himself in a position to be there at the end as well

David Caraviello: Yes, Raygan, no question. Joey was the guy behind the wheel, and he won the race. But that No. 20 team has been a little below the radar this year, and I think people might have forgotten just how good a crew chief Greg Zipadelli is. We're talking maybe top 10 all-time material.

Mark Aumann: Uh, I think the NASCAR rule book ought to get most of the credit for that one.

Raygan Swan: So what, Mark, you don't think Logano will be around in a couple seasons or what?

Mark Aumann: If not for the free pass rule -- twice -- Joey Logano's not even in this week's discussion.

David Caraviello: But Mark, that free pass has been around for so long now, that kind of thing isn't uncommon. I saw Jimmie Johnson get a third at Darlington earlier this year after falling a lap down. Other guys have won races from a lap down. That's not new.

Raygan Swan: I wish Joe was on today, he'd be singing Joey's praises! He is the president of his fan club these days!

Mark Aumann: When you look at drivers who won a race before they turned 25, it's an incredibly short list. And only a few ever went on to be what could be classified as a "star." For every Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch, there are dozens of guys who were busts.

Raygan Swan: Few of them had Joey's background. He's been racing since he was like 6 and has multiple championships in grassroots programs.

Mark Aumann: That pretty much describes every young driver in the garage area. They all have great pedigrees. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here.

Raygan Swan: Not like Logano's.

Mark Aumann: Brad Coleman won the 24 Hours of Daytona as a teenager. Landon Cassill was a multiple champion. Eric McClure? Top-notch open-wheel driver.

Raygan Swan: Mark, I'm sorry, but those pale in comparison to Logano. Otherwise, Coleman wouldn't be Logano's backup driver in the Nationwide Series. And Cassill couldn't even secure a Truck ride.

David Caraviello: Yeah, I think we're reaching a little bit there, Mark. Cup drivers weren't raving about Eric McClure when the guy was in middle school like Mark Martin was about Joey Logano.

Mark Aumann: Well, we'll have to disagree. I'm not buying bread today.

David Caraviello: Mark, maybe you can find a loaf that's unsliced!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writers.