FedEx Racing Express Facts – Pocono Raceway
Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Date/Time: June 7/1 p.m. ET
Distance: 160 laps/400 miles
Track Length: 2.5 miles
Track Shape: Triangle
Banking: 14/8/6 degrees
2014 Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Express Notes:
Dover Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 21st in Sunday’s FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover (Del.) International Speedway after late-race contact from behind while running sixth sent the #11 FedEx Cares Toyota spinning on the backstretch. Hamlin restarted fifth with 17 laps to go and had four fresh tires to try to battle for the race win. However, Clint Bowyer tapped Hamlin from behind four laps later in Turn 2, sending him towards the inside wall before being collected by Kurt Busch, causing extensive damage and time in the pits for repairs. Hamlin started on the pole in the special #11 paint scheme, and he led four times for a total of 118 laps in the 400-lap event won by Jimmie Johnson. It was the most laps Hamlin has led in a race since pacing 193 circuits en route to victory lane at New Hampshire in September 2012. Johnson held off Kevin Harvick at the checkered flag, followed by Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola. Hamlin climbed one spot to 14th in the NASCAR standings following Dover, now 171 points behind leader Harvick after 13 of 26 regular season races.
Pocono Preview: The Series is heading to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway for Sunday’s 400-mile event at the 2.5-mile, three-turn track. Arguably Hamlin’s best track on the circuit, the 34-year-old owns four victories and 12 top-10 finishes in 18 starts at Pocono. He swept the races at the track as a rookie in 2006 and won back-to-back Pocono events in August 2009 and June 2010. He has led 667 laps at the track and owns a Sprint Cup Series best driver rating of 108.3 at Pocono. Hamlin finished fourth one year ago at Pocono in the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Pocono Raceway
Races: 18
Wins: 4
Top-5: 9
Top-10: 12
Average Start: 6.6
Average Finish: 11.9
Laps Led: 667
Hamlin Conversation — POCONO:
What is the team’s mindset heading into Pocono, one of your best tracks?
“Obviously, I think we have performed better and better each week this year. We didn’t necessarily get the finishes at Charlotte or Dover to match where we ran throughout the races, but I’m encouraged that the cars are better and we have shown speed each of these last few weeks. Pocono is definitely a place that I circle on the calendar each year and feel that we have a chance of winning. I just acclimated well to the track when I got into the Sprint Cup Series, and we have had some strong runs throughout the years there. Hopefully, we can strike the balance of a good FedEx Camry through all three turns and compete for the win on Sunday.”
New York Metro Along for the Ride in Pocono: The FedEx Ground New York Metro district will be recognized with its “NYME” code letters on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota this weekend at Pocono Raceway.
FedEx Office – Closest to Pocono Raceway: 940 Schecter Drive, Ste 1, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702, (570) 819-0813
Press Kit: Download the 2015 FedEx Racing press materials at www.fedexracing.com/presskit, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Dave Rogers and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights, statistics and the 2015 crew roster.
#11 FedEx Racing – 2015 Crew Roster
Crew Chief – Dave Rogers
Car Chief – Joe Fiorelli
Engineers – Chris Gabehart, Kenny Oates
Shock Specialist – Ron Denton
Tire Specialist – Jamie Turski
Mechanics – Joey Forgette, Jerad Hewitt, Jason Clements
Spotter – Chris Lambert
Front Tire Changer: Dustin Necaise
Front Tire Carrier: Brandon Pegram
Rear Tire Changer: Mike Hicks
Rear Tire Carrier: Heath Cherry
Jack Man: Nate Bolling
Gas Man: Caleb Hurd
Pit Crew Coordinator: Paul Alepa
Athletic Director: Mike Lepp
Transportation – Kyle Bazzell, Bob Hannigan