FedEx Racing Express Facts – Homestead-Miami Speedway
Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Ford 400
Date/Time: Nov. 22/3:00 p.m. ET
Distance: 267 laps/400.5 miles
Track Length: 1.5 miles
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 18-20 degrees
2014 Winner: Kevin Harvick
Express Notes:
Phoenix Recap: Denny Hamlin finished eighth in Sunday’s rain-shortened NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, benefiting from a caution just prior to a big rain shower that ended the event at the one-mile track won by Dale Earnhardt Jr. After a more than six hour rain delay, Hamlin started 13th and moved into the top-10 following the team’s first pit stop during the competition caution at lap 40. Following the caution, the race remained under green flag racing conditions as Hamlin continued to race among the top-10. With passing at a premium, the FedEx pit crew kept Hamlin in the hunt, maintaining eighth place during the only green flag pit stop of the race. Hamlin was scheduled to make his second green flag stop on lap 196 while running 10th, but the caution flew as he slowed to enter the pits. At the last second, Hamlin aborted the turn down pit road and stayed out in order to pit during the yellow. The move allowed Hamlin to pick up two spots, returning to the track eighth for the restart. However, the race – scheduled for 312 laps – was red-flagged for rain, and was called after just 219 laps. The finish by Hamlin kept him 10th in the NASCAR standings with one race left in the season.
Homestead Preview: The Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the 2015 season finale at the 1.5-mile south Florida oval with Hamlin behind the wheel of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota. Hamlin is a two-time Miami winner, taking the checkered flag at the track in 2009 and 2013. One year ago, Hamlin advanced to the Championship 4 at Homestead and led just eight laps from the finish, but a two-tire call and untimely cautions proved too much to hold off eventual race winner – and champion – Kevin Harvick. Hamlin finished seventh in the race and third in the final standings. He has six top-10 finishes in 10 career starts at Homestead.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Races: 10
Wins: 2
Top-5: 4
Top-10: 6
Average Start: 27.1
Average Finish: 10.8
Laps Led: 213
Hamlin Conversation — HOMESTEAD:
How would you assess the FedEx Racing Team’s season with one race remaining on Sunday?
“Certainly, we can take a lot of positives out of the season for our #11 FedEx team. We won a couple races, won the All-Star Race, and by and large, were pretty competitive for most of the year. We had some unfortunate things happen in the Chase, and obviously I would like to be going for a title this weekend, but we have run up front for a lot of the year and we can be proud of that. For me, Sunday will be about trying to end the year on a high note and getting a third win at Homestead. It is one of our best tracks as a team and I think we can go there this weekend and challenge for another victory.”
Plains District Along for the Ride in Homestead: The FedEx Ground Plains district will be recognized with its “PLNS” code letters on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota this weekend. The district encompasses Kansas, Missouri, eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.
FedEx Office – Closest to Homestead-Miami Speedway: 18755 S. Dixie Hwy, Ste 57, Miami, FL 33157, (305) 235-2911
#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
