Déjà Vu Strikes #20 Team at Kansas

 Coming off what would probably be considered his worst race of the season last week at Dover International Raceway, Denny Hamlin and the #20 Team headed to Kansas Speedway looking to rebound.  Returning to the location of his first start in the Nextel Cup Series, Hamlin would be driving a new car designed specifically for mile-and-a-half tracks.

Strong in both practices, Hamlin backed up his times with a qualifying lap of 172.90 mph which would be good enough for the third starting position.  As the field took the green flag, Hamlin easily distanced himself from the rest of the field.  Cruising along in the third position and posting times as fast as the leaders, a lapped car went spinning off of turn four.  As Hamlin began to slow down for the caution, he got too high in the corner and spun his machine making heavy contact to his Rockwell Automation Chevrolet.  The crew would spend the next 26 laps repairing the machine before returning Hamlin to the track.  Hamlin returned to the track in the 42nd position and would spend the remaining 150 laps gaining a couple positions before finishing 33rd, 26 laps down from race winner Kevin Harvick.

“I think you can chalk this one up to driver error,” commented Hamlin following the race.  “It really is not like me to make a stupid mistake like this.  I take a lot of pride in taking care of my cars and returning them to the team in one piece.  I found some grip up top and was making good lap times, but just got a little too high and drove into the marbles which spun me out.  I just want to thank the crew for giving me a great car.”

The Busch Series will have this weekend off and then return for a Friday night race in the NASCAR’s backyard, Charlotte, NC.  The Dollar General 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. on October 13.  The race will be broadcast on TNT.