RACE INFO:
Event: Ford 400
Date/Time: Nov. 18/3 p.m. ET
2011 winner: Tony Stewart
2011 polesitter: Carl Edwards
Distance: 367 laps/400.5 miles
Track Length: 1.5 miles
Banking: 18-20 degrees
Track Shape: Oval
EXPRESS NOTES:
FedEx Team Volunteers in New Jersey: Denny Hamlin and some crew members from the #11 team spent Wednesday morning as volunteers alongside FedEx employees at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to help the ongoing relief efforts following Superstorm Sandy. Hamlin helped unload trucks full of food and other supplies donated by FedEx, and helped make a $20,000 contribution to the organization from FedEx. After unloading the trucks, Hamlin and the group organized goods already in the food bank’s warehouse, preparing them to be delivered. They then loaded a truck full of Thanksgiving turkeys, and delivered them to a local food shelter in the area. In total, FedEx has pledged more than $1.5 million in donations in affected areas following the storm, and has helped deliver more than three million pounds of supplies to date. Additionally, FedEx will donate $1 for every “Pack & Ship” transaction at FedEx Office from Nov. 26 – Dec. 2, up to another $50,000, for meals and groceries to food banks in New York and New Jersey.
Phoenix Recap: Denny Hamlin finished second in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, climbing two spots to fifth in the Chase standings with one race remaining in the 2012 season. Hamlin survived a flurry of late-race restarts, climbing from fourth to second in the ‘green-white-checkered’ finish to take the checkered flag 0.580 seconds behind winner Kevin Harvick. Hamlin started third in the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota and stayed in the top-seven throughout the 319-lap event on the one-mile desert oval. Hamlin — who won the race at Phoenix in February — led twice for 46 laps on Sunday, and recorded his 17th top-10 finish of the season. Hamlin climbed two spots to fifth in the Chase standings following Phoenix, 62 points behind leader Brad Keselowski after nine of 10 playoff races.
Homestead Preview: The Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the final event of the 2012 season. Hamlin is making his eighth-career start at the 1.5-mile South Florida oval, and owns four top-10 finishes in seven career events. The 31-year-old Virginia native was victorious from the 38th starting position in the November 2009 race at the track, leading 71 of 267 laps en route to victory lane. He scored back to back third-place results at Homestead in his 2006 rookie season and again in 2007. Hamlin finished ninth at Homestead one year ago.
Race Series Date Start Finish Laps (Led)
Ford 400 Sprint Cup Nov. 20, 2011 10 9 267/267
Ford 400 Sprint Cup Nov. 21, 2010 37 14 267/267
Ford 400 Sprint Cup Nov. 22, 2009 38 1 267/267 71
Ford 400 Sprint Cup Nov. 16, 2008 25 13 267/267
Ford 400 Nextel Cup Nov. 18, 2007 32 3 267/267 19
Ford 400 Nextel Cup Nov. 19, 2006 33 3 268/268
Ford 400 Nextel Cup Nov. 20, 2005 42 33 263/267___ 1_____
Averages/Totals 31.0 10.9 91
FedEx Office – Closest to Homestead-Miami Speedway: 18755 S. Dixie Hwy, Ste 57, Miami, FL 33157, (305) 235-2911
New York and New Jersey Along for the Ride at Homestead: The FedEx Express ramp in New York City and the Newark, New Jersey FedEx hub will each get special attention this weekend with their JFK and EWR code letters on the b-posts of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota. The team members at these locations will be recognized for their efforts leading up to and following Superstorm Sandy.
HAMLIN CONVERSATION — Homestead-Miami Speedway:
How was your experience in New Jersey volunteering at the Community FoodBank with your team?
“It was a great opportunity to come up to the area affected by the storm and play a small role in helping the community get back on its feet. The people have really rallied together to help the ongoing relief efforts, volunteering their team even though they might not have power or hot water themselves. FedEx has the planes and trucks to get supplies into areas following disasters, and to come up here and see it firsthand, it really puts things in perspective. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I’m glad we were able to pitch in.”
2012 FEDEX RACING – TEAM ROSTER
Crew Chief: Darian Grubb – Floyd, Va. Front Tire Changer: Dustin Necaise – Gulfport, Miss.
Car Chief: Chris “Spider” Gillin – Smithtown, N.Y. Front Tire Carrier: Brandon Pegram – Statesville, N.C.
Engineer: Mike Wheeler – Southholt, N.Y. Rear Tire Changer: Mike Hicks – Salisbury, N.C.
Engineer: Ross Kippenbrock – Indianapolis, Ind. Rear Tire Carrier: Heath Cherry – Belmont, N.C.
Shocks: Drew Bible – Coldwater, Mich. Jackman: Nate Bolling – Swanton, Ohio
Tire Specialist: Kerry Ferris – Perry, N.Y. Gas Man: Scott Wood – Liberty, S.C.
Mechanic: Nick Fuller – Casa Grande, Ariz. Pit Crew Coordinator: Paul Alepa – Vienna, Va.
Mechanic: John Furino – Long Island, N.Y. JGR Athletic Director: Michael Lepp – Charlotte, N.C.
Spotter: Chris Lambert – Kannapolis, N.C. Hauler Driver: Jerry Hess – Lancaster, Pa.
Hauler Driver: Frank Hodel – Blythe, Calif.
