Hamlin Experiences the
Good, the Bad & the Ugly at Charlotte

It has been no secret; the #20 Team has struggled on 1.5 mile tracks.  Last week, Denny Hamlin scored a 12th place finish at another 1.5 mile track (Kansas Speedway) and was looking to continue to build on that momentum at Charlotte.  Coupled with a special paint scheme designed by 15 year-old, Tim Goff, the #20 team was ready to score their first top-10 of the year on a 1.5 mile track.

The Good – When the #20 car unrolled it struggled in the first practice.  The team made several shock and spring changes and car picked up speed in the second practice.  Convinced they had a good race car, the team was still unsure how it would qualify.  Rolling off 36th, Hamlin immediately showed the strength of the #20 car as it quickly jumped up to 2nd on the board.  By the time qualifying finished, Hamlin would start 7th.

“My team gave me a great car this weekend,” commented Hamlin following his lap.  “We were a little loose off of turn two on lap one, but on lap two, this car was perfect.  I am really excited about this race tonight.”

As the race started, Hamlin settled into the seventh position continued to make laps as a long green flag run ensued.  Reporting that the car was just a little tight, Hamlin was still able to maintain his position.  The first caution of the night flew on lap 29 when the 48 car of Jimmie Johnson hit the wall.  Hamlin followed the leaders to pit road for four tires and some minor air pressure adjustment.  Several cars choosing to take two tires, Hamlin returned to the track in the 11th position.

The Bad - It was under this stop that teams first noticed the right rear tires were beginning to blister, which was concerning because it was happening in less than a half a fuel run.  Teams ran up & down pit road and found out almost all the teams were suffering from the same condition.  Reminding Hamlin to take it easy, the field restarted the race.  As Hamlin began to work his way to back to front, he ducked under the 58 car of Reagan Smith.  The two cars drove into turn one side by side and the track conditions forced took the air of the spoiler of the #58 car forcing him to spin and make minor contact with the #20 car.  Hamlin was able to get his car back under control but had to head to pit road to make repairs.  The team made several stops to in an effort to repair the fender so it did not rub and cut a tire.

The Ugly – With the fender finally correct, Hamlin began his assault back to the front.  Having worked his way up to the 27th position, Hamlin was passing the #58 car when Smith became loose again this time making major contact with the #20 machine and sent it spinning into the wall.  This time the damage was so severe the car was forced to return to the garage for repairs.  The #20 team was able to fix the car and return to the track 31 laps down to the leader.  Hamlin would go on to finish the race 30th but still maintain his position of 5th in the NASCAR Busch Series Points Standings.

“Other than Talladega, we really have not wrecked a lot of cars,” said Hamlin after the race.  “This is a new situation for us.  We will just take our lumps and head to Memphis ready to get back on track.”