Denny Hamlin Express Notes - Talladega
EXPRESS NOTES:
Frustrations Continue for Denny Hamlin and FedEx Racing at Kansas: The “break” the #11 FedEx Racing team was looking for to gain a second-wind in the Chase was hampered by rain delays and a late-race wreck at Kansas Speedway. Once again Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing team had arguably one of the best cars on the track and, once again, they left the track frustrated. Denny Hamlin started the LifeLock 400 from the third spot on the grid after qualifying fifth before two cars ahead of him were forced to the back for the start. Battling a tight car early, Denny Hamlin managed to run in the top-ten before rain delayed the race for the first time. It was the highest Denny Hamlin would run, before being caught deep in the field when the caution flew for the second time as the rain showers continued. Denny Hamlin restarted 27th three hours later when the track dried and gained several spots before his momentum was halted when Jamie McMurray and Paul Menard combined to put Denny Hamlin in the wall, ultimately ending his day with a 29th place finish. Denny Hamlin remains in twelfth place in the Chase standings through three of ten races.
Denny Hamlin at Talladega Superspeedway: This will be Denny Hamlin’s fourth start at Talladega Superspeedway in a Nextel Cup car. Denny Hamlin led 48 laps during the Aaron’s 499 earlier this year before late cautions and restarts hurt the #11 FedEx team’s chances of finishing in the top-five. Despite having a great car all day long, Denny Hamlin finished 21st. Denny Hamlin also ran strong during the fall race in last year’s Chase for the Nextel Cup, but was forced down pit road several times to make repairs after being caught up in two wrecks, ultimately finishing 21st. Denny Hamlin has led laps in all three of his Cup starts at Talladega for a total of 50 laps.
Talladega Superspeedway Chassis JGR 158 and JGR 188: The #11 FedEx team will unload chassis 158 for NASCAR’s COT debut at Talladega Superspeedway. Chassis 158 has yet to make a NNCS start, but has served as the back up for six COT races this season. Chassis 188, a new machine from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable, will serve as the backup.
COT Testing at Talladega: Denny Hamlin was fastest during single car runs in both sessions on day one of testing at Talladega in September. The #11 FedEx Chevrolet was one of three cars car to reach 189 mph (50.517 seconds) in the morning session, and one of two cars (Paul Menard) to top 188 mph (50.843 seconds) during the afternoon runs.
QUOTES:
Denny Hamlin on Racing the COT at Talladega Superspeedway: “I think everyone is a little anxious, and maybe a little nervous, to see how the COT handles at Talladega. The main concern will be bump drafting. When we tested the COT during the Goodyear tire test at Daytona, bump drafting would lift up the car in front of you and I’d have to everything in my power to keep the car straight. This might not be the case at Talladega because it has a lot more grip [than Daytona] now with the newer surface, but our vision front to back isn’t as good in these cars as it is in the current car, so it will take us a few laps to get a feel for it. The only other major difference is you feel a lot of wind buffering in this car, just with the huge hole it punches in the air, but handling for the most part is the same.”
Denny Hamlin on Talladega Superspeedway: “I’ve started in the top-five several times at this track, but at the end of the day we seem to end up in the twenties. We’re hoping for a change of fortune, not only here at Talladega, but in the Chase as well. It’s no secret that superspeedway racing isn’t my biggest strength, so I’ll continue to take what the track gives me and not try to force anything. Practice will continue to be extremely important for us here as I continue to improve my superspeedway racing.”
Denny Hamlin on being 12th in the Chase standings: “It’s definitely time for us to be a little more aggressive and take some chances because of the spot we’re in. Leading laps like we’ve done here before will be important, and staying up front will hopefully keep us out of any trouble taking place behind us. We have to stay focused on what we need to do to run top-fives in the remaining races, and not worry about what the other eleven guys are doing. As we saw in Kansas, if you can keep your car clean from any damage and stay out of trouble, it can end up being a decent day.”
