Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Freight Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Good Sam 500
Date/Time: March 13/12:30 p.m. MT
Distance: 312 laps/312 miles
Track Length: 1 mile
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 9-11 degrees
2015 Winner: Kevin Harvick
Express Notes:
Press Kit: Download the 2016 FedEx Racing press materials at www.fedexracing.com/presskit, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Mike Wheeler and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights, statistics and the 2016 crew roster.
Las Vegas Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 19th in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, battling a tight #11 FedEx Office Toyota throughout the 267-lap event won by Brad Keselowski. Hamlin lined up 14th for the final restart, but drivers with fresher tires were able to overtake Hamlin by the finish, as the ill-handling #11 machine struggled to turn through the center of the corner. Hamlin started ninth and stayed among the top-20 throughout the 400-mile race on a blustery day in the desert. The race was delayed at the start due to rain, and high winds played a factor in the handling and visibility of the drivers. Crew Chief Mike Wheeler elected for two tires on the team’s first stop on Lap 30, and Hamlin inherited the lead — and led 10 laps — before slipping back in the running order. A host of changes during stops tried to bring the car to life, but all proved futile at the end. The finish dropped Hamlin four spots to eighth in the NASCAR standings following Las Vegas.
Phoenix Preview: The Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway for Sunday’s 312-lap event on the flat, one-mile oval. Hamlin has one victory (Spring 2012) and 11 top-10 finishes in 21 starts at PIR, leading a total of 441 laps in his career at the track. He started 25th and finished 23rd in the race one year ago, but bounced back for an eighth-place run in the Chase race at the track last November.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Phoenix International Raceway
Races: 21
Wins: 1
Top-5: 9
Top-10: 11
Average Start: 12.0
Average Finish: 11.4
Laps Led: 441
Hamlin Conversation — PHOENIX:
What will you look for at Phoenix to size up the team’s short track program against the competition?
“We have had some success at Phoenix, but a lot of it came before the repave and reconfiguration. It’s still one-mile and relatively flat, which has been a strong suit for our FedEx team over the years. It’s important to get a good starting spot at Phoenix and maintain track position. As the first short track race on the schedule, I’m eager to see how we stack up. We have some work to do on our intermediate program, but Phoenix is a welcome sight for our #11 team.”
Service Centers Along for the Ride in Phoenix: For the Good Sam 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, FedEx Freight recognizes the company’s Phoenix-area service centers by featuring the North Phoenix call letters NPX on the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota.
#11 FedEx Racing – 2016 Crew Roster
Crew Chief – Mike “Wheels” Wheeler
Car Chief – Leo Thorsen
Engineers – Matt Beckman, Sam McAuley
Shock Specialist – Drew Bible
Tire Specialist – Kerry Ferris
Mechanics – Troy Welty, John Furino, Sean Kerlin
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 – Frank Hodel, David Ott
