Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Federated Auto Parts 400
Date/Time: Sept. 10/7:30 p.m. ET
Distance: 400 laps/300 miles
Track Length: 0.75-mile
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 14 degrees
2015 Winner: Matt Kenseth
Darlington Recap: Denny Hamlin finished fourth in Sunday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, capturing his seventh-straight top-10 of the season and his ninth top-10 finish in 11 starts at the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval. Hamlin started seventh in the #11 Sport Clips Toyota, and ran among the leaders throughout the 367-lap race at the “Lady in Black.” His car was ideal during the long runs and was able to make up spots as the race wore on, leading twice for a total of 13 laps. A series of short stints late in the race prohibited Hamlin from challenging for the win, taking the checkered flag fourth behind winner Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson.
Richmond Preview: The Series heads to Richmond International Raceway for Saturday night’s regular season finale at the three-quarter-mile short track. Hamlin, a Chesterfield, Va., native, has won twice in 20 starts at RIR, including back-to-back fall races in 2009 and 2010. The Chase field will be set following Saturday’s 400-lap event, as 16 drivers will vie for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Richmond International Raceway
Races: 20
Wins: 2
Top-5: 7
Top-10: 11
Average Start: 10.6
Average Finish: 10.6
Laps Led: 1,405
Hamlin Conversation — RICHMOND:
What is the goal heading into Richmond this weekend?
“Obviously, we have had a good stretch here lately with our FedEx team, running up front for the last couple months. We’d like to have another win or two, and winning is our only goal this weekend at Richmond. It’s great to go back and race in front of my hometown fans, and hopefully we can get up front, lead some laps and challenge for the win. I like where our #11 team is right now, and I think we can sustain that heading into the Chase playoffs.”
Great Plains Along for the Ride at Richmond: The FedEx Ground Great Plains district will be recognized for its performance in Service Quality Index metrics – a primary FedEx measurement of customer satisfaction – with its district code “GPLS” on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota. The Great Plains district revolves around its hub in St. Paul, Minn., serving stations and customers in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Dakotas.
#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
Transportation – Frank Hodel
