Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Freight Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: GoBowling.com 400
Date/Time: May 7/6:30 p.m. CT
Distance: 267 laps/400.5 miles
Track Length: 1.5 miles
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 14 degrees
2015 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
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.
Talladega Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 31st in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after a being involved in multi-car accident with just 28 laps left in the race won by Brad Keselowski. Hamlin started eighth in the #11 FedEx Express Toyota and the Daytona 500 Champion showed from the drop of the green flag to be one of the early favorites to win, climbing to second after just 20 laps. Hamlin would go on to lead twice for a total of five laps during the 188-lap event on the high-banks. But with 60 laps to go, Hamlin pitted under caution and collided with another car as he entered his pit stall. The FedEx car sustained damage to the right front forcing the team to make additional stops for repairs, dropping Hamlin to the back of the running order. As the laps began to wind down, Hamlin tried to advance his position, but was the victim of a late race accident that unfolded in front of him. The team was forced to take the car to the garage for repairs, where Hamlin would spend the next 18 laps. He was able to return to the race for the final six laps, gaining one position in the process for the 31st place result. The finish dropped Hamlin four spots to 12th in the NASCAR standings, 82 points behind leader Kevin Harvick after 10 of 26 regular season races.
Kansas Preview: The Series heads to Kansas Speedway for Saturday night’s 400-mile event on the fast, 1.5-mile oval. Hamlin is a previous winner at the track, capturing the checkered flag in the spring Kansas race in 2012. In 15 starts there, he has logged four top-fives and five top-10 results, leading 68 laps. He finished second in the most recent trip to Kansas during the Chase last fall.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Kansas Speedway
Races: 15
Wins: 1
Top-5: 4
Top-10: 5
Average Start: 14.6
Average Finish: 15.4
Laps Led: 68
Hamlin Conversation — KANSAS:
What are some of the challenges at Kansas Speedway?
“Our team sort of lost the handle on Kansas after the repave a few years ago. And obviously, any night race is going to change the handling of the cars, putting such an importance on track position. It’ll be interesting to see how the cars react under the lights. Hopefully, we can have a uneventful race after a handful of miscues the past few weeks, and be there at the end to get another win at Kansas.
St. Joseph’s Service Center Along for the Ride at Kansas: The FedEx Freight service center in St. Joseph’s, Kansas, will be recognized with its “SJM” code letters on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota this weekend at Kansas Speedway.
#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
