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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014 SPORTS Logano holds on for Sprint Cup win FORT WORTH: With a significant lead and the laps winding down, Joey Logano kept thinking about getting to the white flag. Less than a half-lap from finally seeing that wave at Texas on Monday, a caution changed every- thing - though only for a few extra laps. “My heart dropped. I got really angry instantly,” said Logano, who was in the third turn on the 333rd of 334 scheduled laps when the caution hap- AUGUSTA: Masters champion Craig Stadler (left) and his son, Kevin Stadler, who is playing in his first Masters, pened. “You’ve got to go out there and share a laugh while holding a joint father-son press conference. — AP win at that point, figure out how to do it.” Logano still got the victory, just in a more exciting fashion. He passed Jeff Father and son gearing Gordon on the last of 340 laps after a green-white-checkered finish in the Sprint Cup series version of overtime. up for historic Masters When Kurt Busch slammed into the wall, spewing debris on the track, AUGUSTA: Kevin Stadler might be playing in the Masters for the Kevin won four times on the second-tier Nationwide Tour Logano’s 2.2-second lead over team- first time, but he’s already showing his old man a thing or two. and appears poised for a breakout at the highest level. He has mate Brad Keselowski was gone and Such as the best way to get to the Augusta National media center. made the cut in 10 of 11 events this year, is 14th in the FedEx he didn’t get to take the white flag Craig Stadler went through the main door for a joint news con- Cup, and has already eclipsed his career high for earnings in a that would have guaranteed no extra ference with his son Monday, which is actually the long way to go. season with nearly $1.7 million. laps. On the ensuing pit stop, Gordon Kevin, meanwhile, slipped in through a back entrance, like most “He’s become just a wonderfully consistent player and has took only two tires and exited first. players who turn up for interviews at the building alongside the his own identity and everything else, which he should,” Craig Both Team Penske drivers took four first fairway. said. “He’s worked hard for it and he’s earned it. Good for him, tires, and Logano got a splash of fuel. “How’d you come in?” Craig asked his son, looking a bit sur- and I’m just going to kind of stand on the sidelines and watch, But Keselowski missed a chance to prised when he turned to see Kevin standing behind him. which is all I want to do, and just be supportive and root him become this season’s first two-time “Through the door,” Kevin replied dryly, very much the child pok- on and hope more Phoenixes happen in the future. A lot winner when he was penalized for ing fun at his dad. All kidding aside, the Stadlers are gearing up for more.” speeding on pit road and finished a historic week at Augusta National. For the first time, a father and In fact, the proud father wouldn’t be at all surprised if Kevin 15th. son will play in the same Masters - Craig, who says he’ll probably made a serious run at the green jacket on his very first try. The “I was just trying to get a little too be teeing it up for the 38th and final time, and Kevin, making his younger Stadler is quite accurate with his irons, which should much on pit road,” Keselowski said. debut in the opening major of the season. come in handy with all the dips and bumps on those tricky “If and when I do ... bow out, I can’t think of a better way to do Augusta greens. “We’re in it for wins. We’re not in it for it than playing with your son in the same tournament,” the elder “That’s why I actually love his game for this golf course,” second. Second or 15th is the same for Stadler said. “It’s awesome.” Sixty-year-old Craig won the Masters Craig said. “You do have to hit the ball high with the irons a lit- us.” The 23-year-old Logano got his in 1982, beating Dan Pohl in a playoff, and has been back every tle bit. And as far as I’m concerned, and he might disagree, but fourth career victory, and Jeff Gordon FORT WORTH: Joey Logano shoots off pistols celebrating winning the NASCAR year since. Kevin, now 34, used to come each year as a child to I think he’s just a wonderful iron player. I think that’s definitely took over the series point lead from Sprint Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway. — AP cheer on his dad Now, he’s got a spot of his own after winning at the strength of his game, and having your iron game down Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had an early Phoenix two months ago for his first PGA Tour victory. here makes this course so much easier.” crash. shot across the track and slammed sure the 11/2-mile high-banked track “It’s going to be really, really fun to be on the inside of the Even after getting just a taste of their practice round, father “He crossed over and got into the into the wall in a fiery crash. Debris was ready for racing after being post- ropes,” Kevin said. “I feel like I know this place pretty well but I’ve and son managed to trade some good-natured jabs. “I back of me pretty good,” Gordon said and mud from that damaged poned Sunday by rain. There were jet never, ever played it. So it’s going to be a blast.” bogeyed 1 and birdied 2 and he parred them both,” Craig said. of the last lap with Logano. “At that Johnson’s windshield and front left dryers on the track during those laps, Kevin, whose parents are divorced, has conceded the relation- “I was tied after two, so I was happy.” “That birdie I made on 2 point, I was just thinking, ‘I just want to side. “It was kind of surreal what hap- and the high-pressure air from those ship with his father isn’t as close as it once was, and there were doesn’t count, huh?” Kevin countered. finish.’ Looked out my mirror, those pened,” said Johnson, who later had a affected the hood and roof flaps on times Monday when he seemed hesitant to turn this into a totally “You didn’t make that putt,” Craig said. “Did you?” “Of course guys were racing hard behind me. A right rear tire issue and finished 25th. several cars. Keselowski made four feel-good story. But the pair went out for a practice round - which I did,” Kevin said, drawing laughter from the room. Craig, who great, great second-place finish for Earnhardt tweeted: “That wasn’t fun. trips down pit road after his hood was cut short after only two holes when heavy rain brought a halt hasn’t made the cut at Augusta since 2007 or been a serious me.” Sorry 2 the fans of the 88 team. Feel popped up and his crew made to play - and they’re planning to play together again Tuesday, contender in more than two decades, is certainly appreciative Here are five other things that hap- bad for my guys and the 48 team repairs. “It was one of those freak when the forecast called for much-improved conditions. And if of the chance to end his Masters career with his son at his side. pened in the rain-delayed race at also. Made a mistake there that was deals,” Keselowski said. Gordon said they’re paired together in the first two rounds, that would be just “Thanks to Kev here, I got back to the press room for the first Texas: costly for every1.” The last time one of the jet dryers “about blew all fine with Kevin. “I wouldn’t have any issues with that,” he said, smil- time in about 20 years,” the elder Stadler quipped. “I’m so Earnhardt finished 43rd was the 2007 of us over.” NASCAR put all the cars in ing. Besides, the younger Stadler is making a name for himself, proud of the way he’s played the last three, four years. He’s 7 WINNERS FOR 7 RACES: Logano fall race at Phoenix - a span of 222 their original starting spots. “I’m not after a lifetime of being compared with his father (right down to been close a zillion times and finally got it done, so it’s a very became the seventh different winner races. sure what’s more odd, if that hap- their matching physiques, with both listed as 5-foot-10, 250 special week.” Already, it seems, the Masters is smoothing out pened or NASCAR allowed those guys pounds by the PGA Tour). some of the bumps in their relationship. — AP in as many Sprint Cup races this sea- son, when new rules for the champi- HARVICK’S BLOWN ENGINE: to repair that thing,” Gordon said. onship Chase put an increased Kevin Harvick has finished 36th or “Had a piece of concrete fly through emphasis on winning. Team Penske worse in four of the five races since my car once at Martinsville.