Returning to Darlington Raceway as the defending champion of the Diamond Hills Plywood 200, Denny Hamlin and his #20 Rockwell Automation crew carried a sense of confidence as they prepared to tackle the oldest track on the NASCAR circuit.  Bringing the same car as Hamlin drove to the pole position and race win just one year ago, Hamlin looked to tame the track “too tough to tame”

Hamlin’s car was strong in practice, running easily in the top five on the speed chart.  Hamlin backed up the lap in qualifying by running a lap of 166.99 mph almost one mph faster than the next car.  Securing his second pole position of the year, Hamlin reported to the team that “the car is pretty good tonight.”

As the sun set, the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 began.  Hamlin quickly jumped out to the lead.  Hamlin would lead the first 17 laps until turning the lead over to last year’s runnerup, Matt Kennseth.  Reporting that the car was a little tight, the leaders made their first pit stop on lap 22.  The #20 team had a great stop returning the car to the track in first position.  As the race restarted, Hamlin would lead until lap 32 then turning the lead over to the #37 car of Greg Biffle.  Hamlin content to run in second patiently rode out the next couple periods of caution.  On lap 47, the leaders chose to remain on the track as the second half of the field pitted for tires at track where new tires provide the car with extra speed.

“We only had 10 green flag laps on our tires,” said Crew Chief Dave Rogers.  “We did not want to give up the valuable track position of being up front.  If the leaders would have come, so would have we, but it still early to use up our second set of tires.  We have 16 cars between us and the cars with fresh tires, so we should be able to run away from them for a while.”

As the race started, the action was heavy as cars with fresh tires began racing the cars with old tires.  It would only take five laps for two cars to try to occupy the same piece of real estate and the caution flag would fly.  This time the leaders would need to pit for fuel and tires.  The crew turned around another great stop returning Hamlin to the track first, but in the 20^th position.

“I knew I was going to have to tiptoe my way through the traffic,” commented Hamlin after the race.  “I am not great a math, but I figured if I could pass one car a lap, then I would be in the lead in about 20 laps.  We still had not gone halfway so there was a lot of racing left.”

Hamlin jumped a little more aggressive than planned.  Passing four cars in the first two laps he quickly climbed up to 16^th.  After a quick caution period on lap 65, Hamlin began his assault on the front.  Once in the top ten, Hamlin made quick work of cars and moved from the 10^th position up to 3^rd in just seven laps.  Ten laps later, Hamlin once again claimed the top spot, only 19 green flag laps following his restart in 20^th.  From that time on, Hamlin would lead the final 50 circuits and never be challenged for the lead again.  Although forced to ride through five caution periods and restarts, Hamlin would easily pull away from the competition and took the checkered flag easily.  Hamlin, a native Virginian, then flew a Virginia Tech flag during his victory lap.

“This was a fun car to drive,” commented Hamlin after the race.  “Our car was great right off the truck and it only got better.  I really didn’t have to drive too hard tonight.  When other cars really wanted to lead I let them and just try to save my car for the rest of the race.  We should have won a race or two already, but it felt good to bring this one home.  I would like to dedicate this win to all those affected by the tragedy at Virginia Tech.  If they will let me, I would love to donate this trophy to the school.”