FedEx Racing Express Facts – Kansas Speedway
Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Express Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Hollywood Casino 400
Date/Time: Oct. 18/1:15 p.m. CT
Distance: 267 laps/400.5 miles
Track Length: 1.5 miles
Track Shape: Quad-Oval
Banking: 14 degrees
2014 Winner: Joey Logano
Express Notes:
Charlotte Recap: Denny Hamlin finished fourth in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, running near the front of the field throughout the 334-lap rain-postponed event won by Joey Logano and putting the FedEx Racing Team in solid position after the first event of the Chase playoff Contender Round. Hamlin restarted third following the race’s final caution on Lap 246 and maintained that spot at the checkered flag behind Logano, runner-up Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr., recording his fifth top-five finish in the last seven races. Rain Saturday pushed the scheduled night race to Sunday afternoon, forcing teams to adjust for the changing track conditions. Hamlin started fifth in the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, and stayed inside the top-10 in the early going. Varying strategies shuffled the running order at different points in the race, and track position was vital on the high-banked, 1.5-mile oval as passing was at a premium. A series of mid-race cautions involving fellow Chase competitors bunched the field, but Hamlin was able to avoid trouble and stay up front for the final long green flag run to end the race. The finish moved Hamlin into fourth in the standings after the first of three Contender Round races, currently 11 points ahead of the Chase cutline. The Series returns to action next Sunday, Oct. 18, at Kansas Speedway.
Kansas Preview: The Series heads to Kansas Speedway for Sunday’s second race of the Contender Round on the 1.5-mile track. Hamlin is making his 15th-career Cup Series start at Kansas this weekend, looking for his second win at the facility. He won the spring 2012 event at the track, leading 32 laps en route to victory lane. He has posted four top-10 finishes in 14 events, and finished 41st in the race at the track earlier this year.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Kansas Speedway
Races: 14
Wins: 1
Top-5: 3
Top-10: 4
Average Start: 15.3
Average Finish: 16.4
Laps Led: 68
Hamlin Conversation — KANSAS:
How important is Sunday’s race at Kansas to further solidify the team’s standing in the Chase?
This weekend is a very big test for our FedEx team. We have not run as well at Kansas since they repaved it a few years ago, so we are really going to lean on Matt (Kenseth) to help get our organization dialed in for the race. With so much uncertainty at Talladega next week, it’s important that we put together a solid race on Sunday to put ourselves in position to advance to the next round of the Chase.”
Norfolk, Virginia Ramp Along for the Ride at Kansas: The FedEx Express ramp in Norfolk, Virginia will be recognized with its “ORFR” code letters on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota this weekend at Kansas Speedway.
FedEx Office – Closest to Kansas Speedway: 13450 W. 87th St. Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66215, (913) 894-2010
#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
