Logano out of the #20..before he gets in?

UPDATE Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs reiterated on Saturday that Joey Logano will drive the No. 20 Toyota in 2009. "Everything he's done up to now he's done exceptionally well," Gibbs said. "When you get to this level, everybody is really good."

But how long will it take the 18-year-old to catch up?

Logano has failed to finish on the lead lap in the three Cup races he's run this season (Editor's Note: i.e. he may really be a wanker), which has left the rookie with an average showing of 37th. In last Sunday's Dickie's 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, he was unable to maintain minimum speed on the racetrack. But NASCAR still allowed Logano to compete. Fox Sports

"We threatened him within an inch of his life — just finish the race," Gibbs joked. "It's just going to take time."

Logano has performed like a wanker since making his Cup debut. Nothing special here

11/08/08 Let's start the ESPN blog with a bang and throw out the latest rumor going around the Cup garage area. Will plans to have rookie Joey Logano replace Tony Stewart next season in the #20 Toyota change? Speculation is Joe Gibbs Racing officials are trying to work out a deal to get #1-Martin Truex Jr. from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to drive the #20 car next year. If JGR can't get Truex, they might make a run at #2-Kurt Busch, who wants out of his deal with Penske Racing.

A quick warning: Rumors are rampant these days in NASCAR because of the difficult economic times. So here's another rumor: JGR president J.D. Gibbs is expected to arrive at Phoenix today and possibly address this issue to deny all of it. The Logano/Truex gossip started because of DEI's tenuous situation right now on sponsorship, and growing concerns that the 18-year-old Logano might not be ready to race Cup full-time next year. But Home Depot, primary sponsor for the #20 Camry, already has invested tons of money in a marketing campaign for Logano.

DEI picked up the 2009 option on Truex's contract in August, but another rumor floating through the garage is that Bass Pro Shops, the primary sponsor of Truex's car at DEI, may join Stewart-Haas Racing next year as the second sponsor for #39-Ryan Newman. DEI has discussed merger possibilities with Chip Ganassi Racing and Petty Enterprises. Will any of this actually happen? Probably not, but it shows how crazy things are these days on the speculation about the future for NASCAR teams and drivers. ESPN blog