RACE INFO:
Event: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks
Date/Time: June 2/1 p.m. ET
2012 winner: Jimmie Johnson
2012 polesitter: Mark Martin
Distance: 400 laps/400 miles
Track Length: 1 mile
Banking: 24 degrees
Track Shape: Oval
EXPRESS NOTES:
Special Scheme for FedEx 400: The Series heads to the one-mile Dover International Speedway for Sunday’s FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks. Hamlin will drive a special #11 FedEx Freight/Autism Speaks Toyota in the 400-lap event at the ‘Monster Mile,’ showcasing the famous puzzle piece pattern of the organization. Also, the first 11,000 fans at the gate on Sunday morning will receive a special FedEx Racing gift. Hamlin started on the pole, led 39 laps and finished eighth in the Sprint Cup Series’ most-recent visit to Dover last September. Hamlin has 14 career starts at the concrete track, and has posted five top-10 finishes.
Charlotte Recap: Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Office Toyota finished fourth in last Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway behind race winner Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch. Starting from the pole after setting a new track record of 195.624 mph in qualifying, Hamlin led the first six laps before being overtaken by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Matt Kenseth as his car began to tighten up in the afternoon sun. As day turned to night, his #11 Toyota began to get loose and from then on it was up to Darian Grubb and his FedEx Office pit crew to keep making the right adjustments. There were 11 caution periods and the race was red-flagged twice, once for a multi-car accident, the other after a cable from an overhead camera broke and fell on the track surface, causing minor damage to the #11 FedEx Toyota’s right roof rail and right roof flap. Hamlin ran in the top five most of the race but had fallen to ninth after his last green flag stop with 37 laps to go. On lap 384 of 400 the final caution came out for debris and Hamlin pitted from seventh to take two tires, picking up three spots on pit road. Hamlin’s fourth-place finished moved him up three spots to 24th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings, 53 points out of 20th position after 12 of 26 regular season races.
Race Series Date Start Finish Laps Led
AAA 400 Sprint Cup Sept. 30, 2012 1 8 400/400 39
FedEx 400 Sprint Cup June 3, 2011 10 18 400/400 2
AAA 400 Sprint Cup Oct. 2, 2011 11 18 400/400
FedEx 400 Sprint Cup May 15, 2011 26 16 400/400
AAA 400 Sprint Cup Sept. 26, 2010 4 9 400/400
Autism Speaks 400 Sprint Cup May 16, 2010 14 4 400/400
AAA 400 Sprint Cup Sept. 27, 2009 13 22 398/400
Autism Speaks 400 Sprint Cup May 31, 2009 16 36 232/400
Camping World RV 400 Sprint Cup Sept. 21, 2008 3 38 362/400
Autism Speaks 400 Sprint Cup June 1, 2008 33 43 16/400
Dodge Dealers 400 Nextel Cup Sept. 23, 2007 3 38 308/400 61
Autism Speaks 400 Nextel Cup June 4, 2007 29 4 400/400
Dover 400 Nextel Cup Sept. 24, 2006 23 9 400/400
Neighborhood Excellence Nextel Cup June 4, 2006 7 11 400/400
Averages/Totals 13.8 19.6 87.8% 102
FedEx Office – Closest to Dover International Speedway: 132 Elkton Road, Newark, DE 19711, (302) 368-5080
Lima, Ohio Along for the Ride in Dover: The FedEx Freight service center in Lima, Ohio will be recognized for outstanding performance with its ‘LMA’ code letters on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Freight/Autism Speaks Toyota this weekend at Dover International Speedway.
2013 FedEx Racing Press Kit – Available for Download: Please visit www.fedexracing.com/presskit for the 2013 FedEx Racing press materials, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Darian Grubb and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights, program statistics and the 2013 crew roster.
FEDEX RACING CONVERSATION — DENNY HAMLIN:
What did you find at Dover last fall that can be applied to Sunday’s FedEx 400?
“Obviously, Dover hasn’t been one of our strongest tracks over the years. Last fall, Darian (Grubb) brought such a strong car that it made me a lot more comfortable at that track. It was a big confidence boost for our team to qualify on the pole and run up front all day. We were a top-three car — Kyle had everyone covered — but a little fuel mileage late didn’t let us finish where we deserved. Hopefully we’ll have just as strong of a car this weekend to be up front again. Our team is gaining a little momentum, and we’re close to contending for wins with some great tracks coming up for us, and hopefully we can make some noise in Sunday’s FedEx 400.”
* Driver: Mark Martin
+ Driver: Brian Vickers
$ Drivers: Denny Hamlin/Brian Vickers
2013 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 – Southold, 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.
