Toyota NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) Denny Hamlin Post-Race Notes & Quotes
Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway
500 miles, 200 laps
Sunday, February 21, 2016
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finishing Position: 1st
How did you decide to make your move for the win?
“I don’t remember it honestly. I mean, I just remember pulling up in front of the 4 (Kevin Harvick) and him giving me a push and not letting off when he was pushing and ultimately that was the push to the victory for us. I know we got to the outside of the 18 (Kyle Busch), the 78 (Martin Truex Jr.) and then the 20 (Matt Kenseth) came up to block high and I saw that the middle was going to be the only way I could get around both of them and we cleared the 20 and drag raced with the 78. This is a total team effort from Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota, Martin Truex and those guys – all of our cars up front at the end. I said with two to go that we have to get the team victory no matter what it takes and I essentially was trying to go up there and block the 4 to keep him from getting to those guys, but he gave me such a strong push I just went with it and we ended up with a victory.”
Were you trying to go high for the win?
“The last thing I wanted to do was wreck off turn four with my Toyota teammates and none of us win. We had talked about a plan overnight to just work together, work together and I’ve never seen it executed so flawlessly as what we did today.”
How does this compare to your other career wins?
“This is the best. I mean, it’s just the best. It’s the biggest race of my life. The Daytona 500 is – as a kid what you – this is the pinnacle of our sport and I’m just proud to be here.”
What does this say about Joe Gibbs Racing with the strong Camrys today?
“This is a team victory. My teammates did an amazing job all day working together – all the Toyotas. This is a proud moment for everyone at Toyota, FedEx. I don’t know where that came from. I don’t know what happened. I can’t even figure out what I did, but it all just came together. This wouldn’t’ be possible if this wasn’t Toyotas sticking together all race long. We were able to get up, capture our track position. I’ve got to thank my sponsors because this is the Daytona 500. I’ve got to thank FedEx – 11 strong years, it’s been amazing – Coca-Cola, Toyota. This is amazing for Toyota. The Jordan Brand, Greenbrier, Sun Energy 1 – Kenny Habul and those guys – and Sport Clips. This is – so happy to get this victory for Joe Gibbs Racing.”
