Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano reconcile over Talladega accident

The once bitter feud between Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano that seemed precariously close to reigniting a week ago has been resolved, Kenseth said Friday at Kansas Speedway.

Kenseth accused Logano of pushing him below the out of bounds line with fewer than 10 laps remaining in last Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway. That caused Kenseth to fall back in the pack where he was then swept into a wreck involving Danica Patrick, an accident that saw Kenseth flip on his roof and ride an inside retaining wall. Logano was also caught in the aftermath, sustaining significant damage.

After both Kenseth and Logano were evaluated and released from the infield medical center the two drivers exchanged words, with Kenseth gesturing at Logano. Kenseth told reporters Logano was responsible for shoving him down the track and in reference to their heated rivalry said, “I thought we were done with that, but maybe we aren’t.”

But Logano reached out to Kenseth Monday and any animosity that may have rekindled following Talladega has vanished.

“We had a good talk,” Kenseth said. “I’m glad we communicated a little bit and I think it’s behind both of us and hopefully we can just move forward.”

Logano and Kenseth have had a contentious relationship beginning with an incident last fall in which Logano bumped Kenseth out of the lead during the Chase for the Sprint Cup race at Kansas. It was a victory Kenseth needed to remain playoff-eligible.

Kenseth retaliated by deliberately wrecking race-leader Logano two weeks later at Martinsville Speedway. Kenseth was nine laps down at the time. NASCAR issued Kenseth an unprecedented two-race suspension, while Logano was effectively eliminated from the Chase.