Hamlin’s season marked by setbacks
Now I’m pretty sure that after his rookie-of-the-year season last year – in which he won two races – Denny Hamlin knew he had enjoyed a terrific campaign.
But he also knew that racing can be a very fickle sport. One year, your luck is good, the next it isn’t. One year, you’re on top, and the next, you’re down.
I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about the “sophomore slump,” in which a first-year driver captures plenty of attention because he does far better than expected – and then he doesn’t do nearly as well in his second season.
I’m not sure we can say Denny Hamlin has had a slump this year, but he certainly hasn’t been able to match his rookie-season performance.
He did make the Chase For The Nextel Cup, but he’s 12th in the point standings and has been eliminated from championship contention, largely because he’s had four finishes outside the top 20.
Denny Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, started the year well enough with six top-five finishes in 13 races. And he won at New Hampshire in July.
The week after that, however, he got into a wreck with teammate Tony Stewart at Daytona. Bad blood flowed, and things didn’t calm down until Gibbs stepped in.
Denny Hamlin has also had some other less-than-flattering moments. He openly criticized his pit crew and got into a verbal exchange with veteran Kyle Petty.
Another second-year driver, Clint Bowyer – whom Denny Hamlin beat for rookie honors – has been this year’s Cinderella story. He certainly hasn’t had a “sophomore slump.”
Now, all you Denny Hamlin fans should not take any of this as a slam on your favorite driver. If nothing else, the driver from Chesterfield, Va., won a race and made the Chase – which can’t be said for a few, well-known veterans.
It’s only to point out that a driver’s fortunes in racing can change yearly, and they have for nearly all of them.
It just happens that this year, it was Denny Hamlin’s turn to take some lumps.
Hey, things can always get better in 2008.
