Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Delaware 400
Date/Time: Oct. 2/2 p.m. ET
Distance: 400 laps/400 miles
Track Length: 1 mile
Track Shape: Oval
2015 Winner: Kevin Harvick
New Hampshire Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 15th in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, unable to make up track position in the final laps the 300-lap event on the flat, one-mile oval, won by Kevin Harvick. Hamlin battled a loose #11 FedEx Freight Toyota throughout the race, and adjustments on pit road never could bring the car to life. Hamlin restarted 18th following a late race caution and with just seven green flag laps remaining, raced his way up to 15th at the checkered flag. The finish dropped Hamlin three spots to seventh in the NASCAR standings following New Hampshire, 16 points behind leader Brad Keselowski.
Dover Preview: The series returns to action at Dover (Del.) International Speedway for the final race in the Round of 16 of the Chase Playoffs. Hamlin has three top-five finishes and seven top-10 results in 21 career starts at Dover, with a best finish of fourth in 2007 and 2010. He has captured three poles at the track (2012, 2013 and 2015), and has started among the top-10 in each of the last five Dover events. Hamlin started second in the fall race at Dover one year ago.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Dover International Speedway
Races: 21
Wins: 0
Top-5: 3
Top-10: 7
Average Start: 11.0
Average Finish: 18.6
Laps Led: 276
Hamlin Conversation — Dover:
What makes Dover a tough cut race for the Chase?
“Dover is always a wildcard. We often see cars get loose off the corner and slide down to the bottom of the track, blocking off the entire back or front of the track. The racetrack itself is tough to get a hold of, the concrete surface is as bumpy as any track we see and it’s hard to get your car to handle exactly the way you want it. Not to mention, I think it’s the most physically demanding track we go to all year.”
SABO Along for the Ride at Dover: For the Delaware 400, at Dover International Speedway, the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota will feature the call letters SABO on the b-post in honor of former Managing Director of Strategic Planning Jeff Sabo, who died Sept. 21. Jeff was co-sponsor of a FedEx Ground team that was awarded the Quality Driven Management (QDM) Silver Cup for its work.
#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