Hamlin Cruises to 12th Top-Five Finish in Season Finale

 Although the team headed to Homestead FL a little short of their goals of winning a Busch Series Championship, they were still mathematically eligible for 2nd place finish in the driver’s standings.  Bringing a new car with the newest, latest and greatest aerodynamic package that will be used in the 2007 season, the #20 Rockwell Automation team had a solid showing in the season finale.

With the car easily posting a speed in the top-ten in both Busch Series practices, Hamlin wrestled the car around the unique mile-and-half track for qualifying lap only good enough for the 7th starting position.  Having wrapped up the season award for the most Busch Poles, Hamlin felt a little short without this one.

“Before qualifying, we took the picture for the Busch Banquet with me and the Busch Pole Award,” commented Hamlin after his lap.  “It really made me want to win this pole.  I just was a little too loose to stick it on the stop.  In my late model days I won a lot of poles, so it is extremely rewarding to win this award.”

As the field took the green, Hamlin immediately went on the move.  Shooting up to the fifth position, he quickly settled in and began to feel out his car.  Reporting that the car was a little loose all the way through the corners, Hamlin had to wait until lap 46 to make his first stop.  With a major adjustment of air pressure and trackbar, Hamlin returned to the track in the 7th position.  Shortly after the stop, tire engineer Jamie Turski noticed the right rear tire was leaking air and would be blamed for the cause of the loose condition.

Forced to stay on the track and protect track position, Hamlin was now forced to struggle with an over adjusted tight race car until the next stop.  With a long green flag run in progress, Hamlin remained on the track until the leaders began green flag pit stops.  Surrendering the 7th spot, Hamlin ducked on pit road for four tires & fuel.  The team delivered a 14 second stop and returned him to the track in the 14th position.  Hamlin did not remain there long as the other leaders began making stops and he was recording the fastest laps on the track.  By the time all stops were made, Hamlin was running in the 4th position and gaining on everyone on the track.  The field would be slowed again at lap 167 for a caution and Hamlin would make his final stop of the evening.

The #20 Team once again gave Hamlin a great stop and he returned to the track in the 3rd position.  The final 15 laps would see some furious racing between Hamlin, Matt Kennseth, Carl Edwards and Paul Menard.  At the end, Hamlin would finish 4th.  With the #2 car of Clint Bowyer finishing in the 11th position, Hamlin would settle for 4th place in the NASCAR Busch Series Points Championship only 16 points behind 3rd.

“It was a great season,” said Hamlin following the race.  “We were able to get our car competitive each and every week.  Last year we only had one top-five all season and this year we probably gave away four race wins.  It was fun to win poles and jump in a front running car for every race.  Although I am ready for a break, I can’t wait to jump in this car at Daytona next year.”

With the Busch Series Season concluded, the teams will be off until February 17th when they tackle the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.  For those that can’t wait, be sure to tune in to TNT on December 8th for the Busch Series Banquet in Orlando, Florida.