With the Nextel Cup and Craftsman Truck Series taking the weekend off, the NASCAR Busch Series headed to Nashville, TN as the premier racing event. For Denny Hamlin, the first time that he would see the 1.3 mile concrete track would be for the practice on Friday. In an effort to get Hamlin more seat time, Joe Gibbs Racing partnered with Shaver Motorsports and entered Hamlin in the ARCA Race at Nashville the same weekend.

The extra seat time proved worth it as Hamlin’s cars sat in the top five on the speed charts in both Busch Series practices. They would tweak the setup just a tick and Hamlin would secure the fifth starting position; his best ever in the Busch Series.

With a threat of rain in the afternoon, the race began under sunny and warm conditions. Hamlin quickly grabbed a position and settled into the 4^th position. By the time the first caution of the day flew on lap 30, Hamlin was reporting that the car was tight, especially in the center of the corner. He followed the leaders down pit road and received four tires & removed a round of wedge. Returning to the track in the fifth position, Hamlin learned that the changes were not enough. As the laps continued to count off, Hamlin began to lose positions. By the time the next caution flew, it was lap 102 and Hamlin was running in the ninth position.

Heading to pit road with the leaders, Crew Chief Trip Bruce threw major changes at the car. Making a major air pressure, taking wedge out and removing a right rear spring rubber, the #20 car returned to the track in the 10^th position. The changes took affect and although the car was a little free now, Hamlin reported it was much better. During the next 20 laps, Hamlin began to work his way to the front. Running the sixth position, Hamlin chose to stay on the track as a couple of the leaders went to pit road.

“We knew we couldn’t make it to the end of the race on fuel if we pitted,” commented Hamlin following the race. “We figured it would be better to protect the track position and wait until we could go to the end on fuel before making our final stop. The car was the best that it was all day, so why mess with it?”

As soon as the green flag waived, Hamlin made quick work of the leader passing him going into turn one. By the next circuit, Hamlin led his first lap in the Busch Series. He continued to lead the next 16 circuits until the eventual race winner, Reed Sorenson, passed him. Running in 2^nd when the final caution flew, Hamlin and the leaders made their final pit stop of the day. Bolting on four tires and fuel, the team fell behind a couple drivers who did not pit and returned to the track in the 7^th position. As the race restarted, the tires on the car brought back the tight condition that hindered Hamlin in the early laps. Without the benefit of another caution before the end of the race, Hamlin dropped back to the 12 ^th position before a late surge allowed him to finish in the 9^th position, one lap down to the leader.