Denny Hamlin News
Monday, May 24, 2010
Gibbs meets with Hamlin, Busch after race: The angry Kyle Busch was back. The driver who always seems to run up front, yet can also come unglued at any moment, had parked his mangled car within inches of Denny Hamlin's hauler. The All-Star race was still going on late Saturday night, but car owner Joe Gibbs knew he had to act immediately to avoid a potentially season-altering crisis after Busch had just declared on the radio that, "I swear to God, I am going to kill (him)." Gibbs hustled to catch up to Busch, who climbed out of his ruined car, punched the air and stormed into Hamlin's trailer. Hamlin was still on the track, but Busch was waiting to confront him for his move with eight laps left that caused Busch to hit the wall and end his chances of winning $1 million. Gibbs relied heavily on his people skills. "I think in pro sports, if you've been on the sidelines or you've been in racing you're going to have people get mad about things," Gibbs said. "It's spur of the moment type things. I think what was much more meaningful is we met in there." Not before forming a plan. Gibbs joined Busch in Hamlin's hauler. After Busch's brother, Kurt, won the race and Hamlin finished fourth, Hamlin was told to park his car at the edge of the garage. He was met by several team members, and escorted to the suddenly crowded hauler. Gibbs had ordered the incident - in which Hamlin tried to block his teammate's attempt to pass him for the lead in the closing laps - cued up on their video monitor. At first, Busch had no use for watching TV. "It was the old Kyle for a little while," Hamlin said, referring to the hothead reputation Busch has been trying to shed of late. "Then the new Kyle came and met with us." With Gibbs mediating, Hamlin and Busch watched the video and told their sides. "Kyle brought up a great point. What should we expect when we come to this race?" Hamlin said. "Do we need to have a meeting beforehand and say, 'OK, we don't share the same jerseys today, is it every man for himself?' My feeling was, 10 laps to go, I'm afraid so, we're not teammates. I think we both have an understanding of that and it's good from here on forward. Gibbs, too, insisted the meeting ended peacefully and with the issue behind them. (AP)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Hamlin's No. 11 crew wins Sprint Pit Crew Challenge: Denny Hamlin's seven-member team changed four tires, put in gas and pushed the car 40 yards in 23.132 seconds to edge defending champion Jeff Burton's crew and collect $70,650 winning the NASCAR's Pit Crew Challenge. Hamlin's crew chief Mike Ford said they'd take the first pit stall for Saturday's All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a perk for winning this single-elimination competition. The No. 11 team beat Dale Earnhardt's crew in the semifinals, ending Hendrick Motorsports' best showing in the event. The Burton team routed Ryan Newman's crew to reach its second straight final. Hamlin's team includes gas man Scott Woods; catch-can man John Eicher; front tire changer Mike Hicks and carrier Brandon Pegram; rear tire changer Jon Sherman and carrier Heath Cherry; and jack man Nate Bolling. Driver Kyle Busch's front tire changer Nick Odell and carrier Brad Donaghy headlined the individual awards timed in the opening rounds with an event-record 13.903 seconds. Other winners, who collected $10,000 for each competition, were rear tire changer Dustin Necaise and carrier Matt Kreuter (14.322 seconds) of Clint Bowyer's No. 33 team; Bolling of Hamlin's crew (5.573 seconds); and gas man Brad Pickens and catch-can man Travis Gordon of Mark Martin's No. 5 car (10.518 seconds).
The competition included the top 24 crews in the Sprint Cup standings, with the top eight getting a bye into the second round. Teams faced each other in head-to-head stops. There were eight identically marked cars, four on each side of the arena floor. Teams simultaneously changed tires on two cars, filled the gas tank with water on another and a jack man lifted both sides of the fourth car. The jack men then ran to the teams' regular cars, lined up side-by-side at the corner of the arena floor, and pushed them to the finish as teammates joined to help after their tasks. Teams received time penalties for loose lug nuts, spilled gas and other infractions, and that led to an early upset. A 3-second penalty for a loose lug nut knocked top-seeded Busch's No. 18 team out in the second round and allowed the No. 71 team of driver Bobby Labonte, which has been strapped for funding much of the season, to advance. The No. 71 crew was beaten in the quarterfinals by Earnhardt's team. Jeff Gordon's team was ousted in the quarterfinals by Newman's crew, thanks to a loose lug nut. Newman's crew also beat Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 team, which has never won the event.(ESPN)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
FedEx to continue No. 11 sponsorship: FedEx, which announced Monday it has dropped its 20-year sponsorship of the Orange Bowl, does not have plans to do the same with Joe Gibbs Racing and driver Denny Hamlin, according to a FedEx executive. Although no formal announcement has been made of an extension with JGR beyond 2010, FedEx Sports Marketing Manager Katherine Flee indicated Monday night that Hamlin and JGR are in good shape for next year and beyond. "While we have recently decided to end our relationship with the Bowl Championship Series and the Orange Bowl, FedEx remains committed to its long-term relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing and our sponsorship of Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 car," Flee said in an e-mail. "We are looking forward to running for our fifth-consecutive Chase for the championship [this year]." Joe Gibbs Racing is planning on FedEx continuing as the Hamlin sponsor.(Scene Daily)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Hamlin uncertain if he'll run entire race: Denny Hamlin, who had surgery nine days ago to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, said he is uncertain if he can drive the entire race Saturday after experiencing significant pain and discomfort in practice Friday. "I don't know how far I can go," Hamlin said. "It aches quite a bit and the range of motion is a problem. If I had to do it today there is no way I could do it." he said. Casey Mears will replace Hamlin if Hamlin has to get out of the No. 11 Toyota. A driver must start the race to earn the points for that event. "There's a lot of fluid build-up on the knee right now," Hamlin said. "The doctors are going to insert a needle in the morning and drain all the fluid. They also are going to take the stitches out, so I might have a little more mobility." Hamlin said he hopes to make a decision early in the race about whether to get out of the car. "If we do it, we need to do it early," Hamlin said. "I'll start thinking about it at 50 or 60 laps. My goal is to know what I'm going to do before Lap 100. There's no reason to abort it if I make it that far. It hurts worse when I stop than when I'm going."(ESPN.com)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Hamlin expects to compete at Phoenix: How long Denny Hamlin stays in his race car during this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway will be left up to him, according to the physician's assistant that is overseeing Hamlin's rehabilitation from recent knee surgery. "I'm optimistic that he's going to be able to run at the very least some laps," Bill Heisel of OrthoCarolina said Wednesday. "I anticipate that he will have some soreness and he will have some swelling. It's just a matter of seeing how many laps he's able to run." Heisel, a physician's assistant who helped with the surgery and is overseeing Hamlin's rehab, is scheduled to be in Phoenix on race day to assist Hamlin and the team, and to address any issues that might arise. Hamlin was scheduled to work with the team Wednesday to practice getting into and out of his car.(Scene Daily)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Hamlin rehabilitation on schedule: Denny Hamlin's rehabilitation of his left knee, which underwent surgery a week ago to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, remains on schedule and should allow him to compete in Saturday night's Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway. "It's painful, as anyone who has had this surgery or any similar surgery can tell you, but I am working hard to get back my full range of motion and get back to where I need to be," Hamlin said in a news release. Dr. Patrick Connor of OrthoCarolina in Charlotte performed the surgery last Wednesday. Dr. Bill Heisel, who assisted in the procedure, told ESPN.com the knee should be "pretty normal" by the time Hamlin got to Phoenix. Heisel added that Hamlin shouldn't be restricted from using his left leg to clutch or brake as long as there was no abnormal swelling. Casey Mears is on standby in case Hamlin has to come out of the car. Hamlin, who is 15th in points after his win at Martinsville before the Easter break, is expected at the very least to start the race in order to collect full points for the finish.(ESPN.com)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Hamlin underwent successful knee surgery Wednesday morning: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced Denny Hamlin, driver of the FedEx Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, had successful surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee this morning. The surgery was performed by Dr. Patrick Connor with OrthoCarolina. Hamlin injured the knee in January prior to the start of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. He is expected to make a full recovery and will be in Phoenix as scheduled for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on April 10. JGR will have driver Casey Mears on standby should Hamlin experience any complications while driving in the race and need to be replaced in the car. "Denny had his surgery this morning and everything went well," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. "He will start rehab immediately and now we can concentrate on getting his knee back to the full strength. The doctors tell us it will improve with each passing week and that he cannot damage it by driving. We expect him to be in the car in Phoenix, but we're fortunate to have Casey Mears standing by in case he would need to come out of the car for any reason."(JGR)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Hamlin knee surgery not to affect on track performance doctors say: Surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Denny Hamlin's left knee will not limit the Sprint Cup driver behind the wheel for the next race, according to one of the doctors that will perform the operation on Wednesday. "I anticipate by the time he gets to Phoenix he'll have a pretty normal knee for all intents and purposes," said Dr. Bill Heisel, who will assist Dr. Patrick Connor of OrthoCarolina in Charlotte, N.C. Heisel said the winner of Monday's race at Martinsville Speedway may be in some pain or discomfort for a few weeks after the surgery, but added that range of motion to use the brake or clutch won't be impacted. "He's going to feel something, even at Phoenix," Heisel said. "The big thing is to control the swelling to get the motion going. Straight ahead he should be pretty good. Obviously, what you don't want him to do is wreck the car. But I anticipate he's going to be able to clutch and brake pretty quickly." Heisel said the procedure will involve making tunnels through Hamlin's shin bone and thigh bone to pass the tendons from a cadaver into place and lock each end with a screw. He said physical therapy will begin immediately to improve mobility and strengthen the quadriceps, and that Hamlin will have to wear a brace for a while when not in the car. "He'll be back running in three months," Heisel said. Surgery was delayed until Wednesday after Sunday's race was rained out.(ESPN.com)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mears to sub for Hamlin if needed: Casey Mears was selected Saturday to sub for Denny Hamlin while he recovers from ACL surgery. It's a deal that came together in just a few days, but one Mears knows could relaunch a fledgling Cup career after going 1-for-6 in making races with underfunded Keyed-Up Motorsports – a deal that ended with a DNQ Friday. "It's just an opportunity I couldn't pass up," he said. "It's one of those deals where I could just be sitting on the pit box if Denny feels pretty good, but if he doesn't it's just a great opportunity to possibly get in a good car." It's also a chance to pair with an organization that would one day like to expand to four teams. "You see him in passing, and it's hi, hello, but I've never really spoken with those guys," he said. "So it's an opportunity for me to just kind of get to know those guys a little bit, and you never know what the future holds." Hamlin had high praise for Mears in his press conference Saturday morning, calling him "the best option to get a good finish" of all the drivers available in case he falters. If Hamlin's pain is overwhelming, the plan would be to run to the first caution, then have Mears take over for as many races as possible until his recovery's complete. "I think it means a lot to think your peers think of you that way," he claimed. "I think that hopefully if I can get in there, I can do a good job for them, and keep them in the running for where they want to be." In the meantime, Mears' relationship with Keyed-Up is expected to continue once his subbing is complete. He claims owner Raymond Key will run in the interim, although no driver has been selected to sub for him in the No. 90 Chevy as of yet. "I still want to run with those guys some more," he said. "Hopefully, I can get through this year and get something going rolling positive for 2011."(Frontstretch.com)
Hamlin to undergo knee surgery Monday: Denny Hamlin will have reconstructive surgery on his left knee Monday, sources close to the driver and Joe Gibbs Racing told ESPN.com. Hamlin, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in December playing pickup basketball, planned to wait until the end of the 2010 season to repair it. But growing fear of long term damage forced his hand, sources said. Sources said Hamlin plans to start every race and doesn't expect to miss any competition, but plans to have a driver on standby for several races just in case. Sources are uncertain at this time whom that driver would be. Per NASCAR rules, the driver that takes the green flag in the car earns the championship points for that race, even if he gets out prematurely. Hamlin's ability to drive the No. 11 Toyota is more about his pain tolerance than anything else, sources said. Strength-wise he should be fine. If he can handle the pain, he can race, the sources said. Hamlin, widely considered the biggest threat to upend Jimmie Johnson's championship stranglehold, has begun slowly in 2010. He is 19th in the point standings and has yet to earn a top-10 finish in the season's first five events.(ESPN)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hamlin partners with March of Dimes: FedEx Racing driver Denny Hamlin will drive a special No. 11 FedEx Office/March for Babies Toyota in the "SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600" at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, April 10, 2010 in effort to rev up the revenue for the March of Dimes and give every baby a healthy start in life. "This is the third year in a row that I raced the March for Babies car at the Phoenix Raceway," said Hamlin. "Last year we placed sixth and I'm hoping this year we'll win! I want to do everything I can to help raise awareness for the amazing work the March of Dimes does so that more babies are born healthy." The No. 11 FedEx Office/March for Babies® Toyota was unveiled today during a ceremony at Joe Gibbs Racing Inc. in Huntersville, N.C. Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs were on hand to reveal the special paint scheme for the Phoenix Cup race. During the race, Hamlin also will wear a helmet designed by Morgan, Preston and Chase Copeland. The triplets are the children of FedEx Office employee Alan Copeland and were born seven weeks premature in 2005. Today, their dad says, Morgan, Preston and Chase are healthy, active four-year-olds thanks to the March of Dimes-funded treatments and the medical care they received.(JGR)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Physical therapy on hold for Denny Hamlin: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin said he still hasn’t been able to start physical therapy because he cannot bend his left knee enough to go cycling or swimming. Hamlin tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee playing basketball on Jan. 22. He won’t have surgery until after the 2010 NASCAR season. He said he has 80 percent of the strength in his leg. “Rehab will help a ton,” Hamlin said Thursday during NASCAR Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. “Swimming and cycling are the two best. I can’t yet because I’m not as mobile as what I’d like. I can get 90 degrees and I can get my leg almost horizontal. That range of motion should be twice that. “Until I get my range of motion back, that’s when I’ll start that [rehab].” (Scene Daily)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Gibbs doesn't expect Hamlin to be bothered by injury: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin shouldn’t have too much trouble driving a race car despite a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, according to JGR President J.D. Gibbs and doctors familiar with ACL injuries. Hamlin, 29, uses his left foot to brake as well as to control the clutch in his Mo. 11 Toyota. “In essence, it’s not that big a deal given what drivers normally have to do in the car,” said ESPN analyst Dr. Jerry Punch, a former emergency-room physician. “No two people are the same in terms of how much instability they have when they tear an ACL. Typically, somebody that is Denny’s age, young and in great physical shape, can rehab that knee without having it operated on.” The ACL keeps the lower part of the leg from moving forward when a person stops running. Starting and stopping quickly would make the knee feel unstable. It doesn’t have to do with rotation or side-to-side movement, Punch said, and the pedals could be adjusted to make it more comfortable. Reconstructive ACL surgery requires six to 10 weeks of immobility, and that’s why Hamlin plans to wait until after the season is over, Punch said. He could have arthroscopic surgery to clean out the injured area and that would require only 10 days of being off his feet, but Gibbs said that no surgery is planned.(Scene Daily)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Hamlin suffers torn ACL: Denny Hamlin, widely considered Jimmie Johnson's top threat in 2010, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Friday playing pickup basketball. Hamlin said he still expects to compete, but surgery isn't an option at this time since the Sprint Cup season begins in two weeks. He plans to have surgery to repair the knee after the 2010 season. A team spokesman said the injury should not affect Hamlin's ability to drive the car. "I planted my foot to make a move toward the basket, and my knee just shot directly out to the left," Hamlin said. On Dec. 16, Hamlin had surgery on his right knee to repair the meniscus.(ESPN.com)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Hamlin pushes back knee surgery.. to play basketball: Denny Hamlin had minor knee surgery planned for the end of this season, but delayed the procedure after booking a suite with a basketball court inside of it for his stay in Las Vegas. Since arriving Tuesday evening, Hamlin said he and his friends have gotten in at least three games a day on the court. His surgery will be Dec. 16. "I moved my surgery back because I had this reserved for the last two months," he said. "It was scheduled for last week, and I thought there would be no point in it. I moved my surgery back to accommodate my hotel room in Vegas, so I'm trying to get all the ball in that I can since I'm going to be out for a month."(Associated Press)
Friday, November 27, 2009
No. 11 Crew wins Pit Road Precision Award at HMS: In Sunday's (Nov. 22) season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Denny Hamlin's No. 11 crew won the Tissot competition. The effort by the No. 11 FedEx crew played a key role in Hamlin's fourth race victory of the season. Hamlin's No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing crew consists of: Jonathan Sherman (front-tire changer), Brandon Pegram (front-tire carrier), Mike Hicks (rear-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Nate Bolling (jackman), Scott Wood (gasman), John Eicher (catch can) and Bobby "Spike" Christenson (windshield). The team's crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coach is Paul Alepa. The athletic director for Joe Gibbs Racing is Michael Lepp. The Tissot Pit Road Precision Award went to the team which spent the least amount of time on pit road and finished on the lead lap in each of the 36 Sprint Cup point races. The winning team earned $5,000 and a Tissot watch for each race.(Tissot)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hamlin to have knee surgery: Denny Hamlin will have arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday to repair some minor damage to his right knee, he said Friday. Hamlin was originally scheduled to have the surgery during an off week this summer but elected to postpone it until after the season. "There's tears in there," he said. "[The surgery is to] basically scope it out. I just have problems with it when I get out of the car, it really is stiff and the joints really hurt, so it's something that needs to be done for the long run."(SceneDaily)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Hamlin worried his voice isn't being heard: Denny Hamlin contends his voice is not being heard by NASCAR. Hamlin was among those not pleased that officials enforced stricter guidelines on aggressive driving at Talladega. When told that NASCAR's recent follow-up meetings to its town hall sessions included a couple of veteran drivers among the smaller groups, Hamlin said he'd like to be included in future sessions. He also wondered if his voice would matter. "I don't know why they don't (include) all drivers, to be honest with you," Hamlin said. "Why they didn't ask my opinion, I don't know. Over the last few years I've earned my place in this sport, and I deserve my voice to be heard just as much as anyone. For them to just pick the guys that have been in the sport over 10 years, maybe pick the guys that are going to be here the next 15." (The Virginian-Pilot)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Hamlin: We're definitely done: "We're definitely done as far as the championship is concerned," said Denny Hamlin. "We're going to keep fighting to stay in the top 10. "We were looking for maybe a championship two weeks ago, and that's what's bad about this point system. It's 10 weeks only, and the first (26) just don't even matter anymore." (Gaston Gazette)
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
FedEx Racing takes part in American Red Cross event in Philadelphia: FedEx Racing, sponsor of Denny Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota, will join the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania this week, welcoming Philadelphia-area students on Thursday for the Race to Prepare, an event that stresses disaster preparedness through the building of a disaster kit and preparedness education. As part of the company's commitment to supporting disaster preparedness and relief efforts around the world, and in celebration of the long-term relationship with the organization, FedEx will be making a donation to the local American Red Cross chapter.(FedEx Racing PR)
Monday, Sept. 21, 2009
Hamlin runs over Mears' crew member: Clint Pittman, rear tire changer on the No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevy of Casey Mears, was clipped by Denny Hamlin during pit stops on Lap 69. Pittman injured his foot and was replaced by Shane Church, who practices with the backup crew at Richard Childress Racing. Mears restarted 27th following the accident and remained outside the top 25 until a call to stay out on Lap 193 by crew chief Todd Berrier. Mears restarted sixth and finished 13th, his third top 15 finish in the last six races. Pittman will see an orthopedic doctor on Monday. Doctors at the track infield care center suspected a small fracture to the top of his foot, according to RCR pit crew coordinator Matt Clark.(FOXSports.com)
Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009
Hamlin reacts to Reutimann's comments: David Reutimann said Wednesday he was not ready to forgive Denny Hamlin for the accident at Pocono Raceway that essentially ended his championship hopes. That, apparently was news to Hamlin. "I was surprised," Hamlin said Friday at Watkins Glen International. "We actually talked that night and he seemed fine. He didn't say that he was angry or anything. I've been in that situation before where you're battling for a Chase spot. It's not always about one race. There's a lot of races that lead up to it. I'm apologetic about it for sure. It's something that I didn't mean to do, but you can't put the blame all on me if he doesn't make the Chase."(ESPN.com/AP)
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009
Reutimann still upset with Hamlin after wreck: David Reutimann doesn't buy the explanation Denny Hamlin gave for the wreck in Monday's Sprint Cup race at Pocono that may also have wrecked his chances of making the Chase. Reutimann said he never brake-checked Hamlin, as the eventual race winner claimed occurred prior to the accident on Lap 174 that not only took out Reutimann but also Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Marcos Ambrose. He said Hamlin basically ran over him in an effort to get position. "I was just trying to get away from him," Reutimann said on Wednesday. "In the end, if you push a guy sideways enough he's not going to be able to bring it back. I didn't hear [his] explanation, but I can tell you it's pretty inaccurate. I was in the throttle all the time to the point I was hung out so far I kind of had to do something." Reutimann went on to say he was as "mad as heck" at Hamlin, even though the two have exchanged text messages in which Hamlin apologized. "If a guy says he's sorry I tend to believe it," Reutimann said.(ESPN.com)
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009
No. 11 Crew chief Mike Ford named Wypall Crew Chief of the Race: Mike Ford, crew chief for the No. 11 FedEx Toyota driven by Denny Hamlin, has been named the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race after Sunday's Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. After waiting through the rain delay on Sunday and fighting emotions all weekend, Hamlin and his No. 11 team started the race on Monday with great optimism. Despite fighting an ill-handling race car throughout practice on Saturday, Hamlin and Ford knew they had made the right changes for a good shot at the win. A strong car kept Hamlin at the front of the field for most of the day, and after the last round of pit stops under caution with 20 to go, he found himself just outside the top five on the last restart. At that point, Hamlin knew he had the car to win and with encouragement from his crew chief over the radio, found the speed to take the lead with just nine laps to go. In addition to the $1,000 check, the winning crew chief will receive signage to announce the win on their pit box the following week. The crew chief with the most weekly wins will be honored as the Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Year and will be presented a $20,000 check at the season's end.(Wypall)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
No. 11 FedEx crew wins Tissot Pit Road Precision Award: Denny Hamlin’s crew took top honors in the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award during Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway. Hamlin’s No. 11 crew became the 13th Tissot winner in the 19 Cup races contested in 2009. The pit crew win was the result of Hamlin’s FedEx Toyota Camry spending the least amount of time on pit road – 194.055 seconds. The quick work helped Hamlin and the Joe Gibbs Racing team to a fifth-place finish in the 267-lap, 400-mile race. Hamlin’s over-the-wall crew consists of: Jonathan Sherman (front-tire changer), Brandon Pegram (front-tire carrier), Mike Hicks (rear-tire changer), Heath Cherry (rear-tire carrier), Nate Bolling (jackman), Scott Wood (gasman), John Eicher (catch can) and Bobby “Spike” Christenson (windshield). The team’s crew chief is Mike Ford and the pit crew coach is Paul Alepa. The athletic director for Joe Gibbs Racing is Michael Lepp. The no. 11 team will collect $5,000 for the pit road win. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision Award wins at the completion of the 36-race Sprint Cup schedule will receive a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the crew and driver. The crews for Jeff Gordon and Greg Biffle lead in the Tissot standings with three wins each. Tony Stewart’s and Jimmie Johnson’s crews are tied for third with two wins each.(Tissot)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Hamlin visits DC-area Salvation Army: Denny Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs visited Washington D.C. on Thursday to deliver a custom designed Disaster Response Unit to the D.C-area Salvation Army. The vehicle, used in disaster situations to provide food and water to as many as 2,500 people per day, is one of 12 that FedEx has donated to cities both inside the U.S. and around the world. FedEx, a long time partner of the Salvation Army, is uniquely qualified to aide in disaster situations delivering goods and services to affected areas.(FedEx Racing)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Hamlin doesn't feel the extra 100 miles: The drivers of today are almost all fitness freaks. They work out. They have strength trainers. Few are prone to admit that the Coca-Cola 600 takes them to the limits of endurance. "To be honest, I don't feel the difference in length, the extra 100 miles, in the car over running 500 miles," said Denny Hamlin. "You are so focused, and especially at a place like Lowe's, where you're running high speeds and the laps go by quickly, you don't sense it. The only time it hits me during this race is when we reach the halfway point and it seems like we've already run a lot of laps." (Gaston Gazette)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hamlin Crew Chief: Nothing but frustration at Richmond: Hamlin, who led a race-high 148 laps, entered pit road with the lead on lap 274. Car owner Joe Gibbs said two lug nuts fell off the right front tire, costing Hamlin time. Hamlin exited pit road eighth and got stuck in traffic the rest of the race. His team later changed two tires instead of four for track position, but the plan backfired and Hamlin fell to 14th at the finish. “You don’t take anything out of it,” Hamlin’s crew chief Mike Ford said of the finish, “other than frustration.” (Carroll County Times)
September 13, 2006
Hamlin first ROTY contender to make The Chase: Denny Hamlin finished 15th in the September 9 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway to clinch a spot in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Hamlin is the first Raybestos Rookie to qualify for the Chase. He is fifth in the Nextel Cup Series championship standings, 20 points behind leader Matt Kenseth. Hamlin led the Richmond race once for 19 laps, the only Raybestos Rookie to lead a lap in the event. (PR)
August 3, 2006
Hamlin Sweeps at Pocono: Denny Hamlin was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the July 23 Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. Hamlin scored his second win of the 2006 season in the race, crossing the finish line 1.510 seconds ahead of second-place Kurt Busch. He grabbed top rookie honors for the 11th time in 20 races. (PR)
June 11, 2006:
Hamlin wins first career points race: No one can say Denny Hamlin didn't earn his first Nextel Cup Series victory. His victory in Sunday's Pocono 500 at Pocono Raceway was accomplished as much by how he performed on the track as off of it. Hamlin, the pole-winner, led 49 of the first 50 laps and his No. 11 Chevrolet by far the fastest on the track when he cut a right-rear tire on Lap 52, which sent him spinning into the infield grass. He managed to stay off the wall, rolled over some dips in the grass before finally straightening out on the pit road access road. After extensive repairs, Hamlin still remained on the lead lap and worked his way back to the front, the final time taking the lead with 23 of 200 laps remaining. He then held off Kurt Busch by 1.328 seconds for the win. (Charlotte Observer - Results - Points)
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Born: 11/18/1980