Hamlin Finishes Sixth at Home Track

Returning to Denny Hamlin’s hometown, the #20 Rockwell Automation / JGR Busch Team was determined to provide Hamlin with a car capable of winning in front of his family and friends.  Coming off a runner-up finish in the Nextel Cup race in the spring, Hamlin was hoping to continue to improve on his impressive record at Richmond International Raceway with a solid finish Friday night.

First practice proved to be a struggle.  In between practices, the team changed every major part on the car to the point where they started the second practice 14 minutes late.  It was time well spent as Hamlin quickly jumped to the top of the speed chart with a smooth handling car.  Hamlin would continue to be strong in qualifying as he secured the fourth starting position.

As the green flag dropped, Hamlin lost a position early but quickly came charging back up the field.  Comfortably running in the third position, the #20 car continued to click off lap times as quick as the leader.  Hamlin followed the leaders to pit road during the caution period on lap 25.  Reporting that the car was extremely tight, Crew Chief Dave Rogers called for four tires & some major changes as the #20 car returned to the track behind several cars that did not pit or only chose for two tires during the stop.  Restarting in the 18th position, it only took Hamlin 20 laps to return to the top-five.  

Hamlin continued in the top five until lap 114 when he made a routine pit stop for tires and fuel.  After a host of changes Hamlin once again returned deep in the field behind cars that did not pit.  During his trip through the pack, Hamlin got a little over aggressive, over drove Turn 1 and slid his car into the marbles.  Hamlin regained control of his car but lost all momentum and dropped back to the 30th position.  During the next caution, the team chose to pit with the ideal of stretching their fuel mileage and running to the end.  As the race restarted, Hamlin took his time and was careful not to abuse the tires that would have to last 110 laps.  But the car was too tight to make any major gains, so Crew Chief Dave Rogers called for Hamlin to return to pit road to throw some extreme changes at the machine.  Restarting in the 20th position with 75 laps to go, Hamlin methodically worked his way to the sixth position by the time the checkered flag flew.

“The car was the best it was all night at the end of the race,” commented Hamlin following the race.  “This track tightens up so much as the race goes on and we just weren’t aggressive enough early.  Then I put us behind by overdriving the corner.  It is a shame because we had a car with a chance to win, but at worse should have finished in the top three.  This week, the guys will get a much deserved weekend off and a chance to recharge before Dover.”

This weekend the NASCAR Busch Series will take its first weekend off in 16 weekends.  Be sure to tune in next week as the Busch Series returns to action at “the Monster Mile” in Dover, DE.  The Dover 200 is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on TNT.  If you need to fill your tank of some racing this weekend, tune in to the first race of the “Chase for the Cup” on Sunday, September 17 in New Hampshire International Speedway.  Hamlin will try to improve on his fifth place points position as he the first and only rookie to qualify for the new championship format.