FORMIDABLE FUTURE; Joey Logano impresses in his big-time debut.

Byline: AL PEARCE

Just in case you have not heard of Joey Logano, no less a NASCAR authority than longtime star Mark Martin said he is "mature beyond his years.'' He also said Logano "has talent like you won't believe'' and called him "the next real deal in this sport, a great driver you're going to hear a lot about.''

High praise, indeed, especially since it came six years ago-when Logano was 12.

Logano, who turned 18 in May, began racing go-karts at age six in his hometown of Middletown, Connecticut. He advanced through karts, quarter-midgets and Legend and Bandolero cars, winning multiple races and champion-ships at every stop. In 2007, he won five races, rookie-of-the-year honors and the championship of NASCAR's lower-level East Series. He signed with Joe Gibbs Racing early that year.

Logano's maturity, talent and potential are why most of NASCAR Nation watched his debut in the Nationwide Series at Dover International Speedway with great interest. It is hard to remember anyone-never mind an 18-year-old-arriving with so much hype, hoopla and hope.

Logano disappointed only himself at Dover. He qualified ninth in a JGR Toyota, moved toward the front early and overcame a forgivable pit mistake to finish behind current or past Cup drivers Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, David Stremme, David Reutimann and Greg Biffle. Logano fell from sixth to 28th after the slight contact on ...