RACE INFO:
Event: Pure Michigan 400
Date/Time: August 18/1 p.m. ET
2012 winner: Greg Biffle
2012 polesitter: Mark Martin
Distance: 200 laps/400 miles
Track Length: 2 miles
Banking: 18 degrees
Track Shape: Oval
EXPRESS NOTES:
Watkins Glen Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 19th in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, avoiding a pair of late race wrecks to score a top-20 finish in the 90-lap event won by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch. Hamlin started 20th in the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota and was unable to make up ground in the early going, battling a loose race car throughout the 2.45-mile, 11-turn road course. Crew chief Darian Grubb brought Hamlin to pit road for changes during the race’s second caution, and then again on Lap 31 for fuel only to get inside the team’s window for just one more stop. The second half of the race was caution-filled, and Hamlin used the opportunity to come to pit road for fresh tires and chassis changes. While the majority of lead-lap cars stayed out, Hamlin was able to make it up to 19th for the checkered flag. Busch led the final 29 laps en route to victory lane, followed by Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Carl Edwards and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Michigan Preview: The Series now heads back to Michigan International Speedway for the second 400-mile of the season in the Irish Hills. Hamlin finished 30th at the two-mile track in June. The FedEx Racing Team has two victories at Michigan, winning back-to-back spring events in 2010 and 2011 at the track. Hamlin has led 149 career laps at Michigan and has seven top-10 finishes in 15 career starts.
Race Series Date Start Finish Laps (Led)
Quicken Loans 400 Sprint Cup June 16, 2013 11 30 199/200
Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup Aug. 19, 2012 21 11 201/201 1
Quicken Loans 400 Sprint Cup June 17, 2012 11 34 132/200
Pure Michigan 400 Sprint Cup Aug. 21, 2011 4 35 188/200
Heluva Good! 400 Sprint Cup June 19, 2011 10 1 200/200 8
Carfax 400 Sprint Cup Aug. 15, 2010 33 2 200/200 12
Heluva Good! 400 Sprint Cup June 13, 2010 7 1 200/200 123
Carfax 400 Sprint Cup Aug. 16, 2009 16 10 200/200 2
Life Lock 400 Sprint Cup June 14, 2009 14 3 200/200 1
3M Performance 400 Sprint Cup Aug. 17, 2008 37 39 194/200
Lifelock 400 Sprint Cup June 15, 2008 5 14 203/203 1
3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup Aug. 21, 2007 8 5 203/203
Citizens Bank 400 Nextel Cup June 17, 2007 7 14 199/200 1
GFS Marketplace 400 Nextel Cup Aug. 20, 2006 9 9 200/200
3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup June 18, 2006 21 12 129/200
Averages/Totals 14.3 14.7 96.9% 149
FedEx Office – Closest to Michigan International Speedway: 2800 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, (734) 665-2400
Chicago Heights, Ill. Along for the Ride in Michigan: The FedEx Freight service center in Chicago Heights, Ill., will be recognized for outstanding performance with its ‘CGT’ code letters on the b-posts of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The facility has more than 500 team members who work diligently to make every FedEx experience outstanding for customers throughout Southeast Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
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:
How has Michigan changed the past few races after the repave?
“Michigan is certainly a track that has gone through a lot of changes after the repave. It’s very fast and has a lot of grip, and that has made it difficult to get a tire that we can run and pass with. We have had a couple wins at Michigan, but haven’t seemed to get the handle on it like we would like to since they repaved it. Earlier this year, we were just so loose entering the corner that we couldn’t make any speed. I’m confident that the guys have worked hard to get a good setup in the car heading back to the track this weekend.”
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.
