FedEx Racing Express Facts – Phoenix International Raceway

Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing

Race Info:
Race: Can-Am 500
Date/Time: Nov. 13/12:30 p.m. MT
Distance: 312 laps/312 miles
Track Length: 1 mile
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 9-11 degrees
2015 Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Texas Recap: Denny Hamlin finished ninth in Sunday’s rain-shortened, rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, unable to gain much needed track position throughout the 293-lap event won by Carl Edwards. Hamlin lined up 12th for the final restart and made his way up to 11th before the yellow waved for rain with 43 laps remaining. During the caution, two cars ahead of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota came to pit road moving him up to ninth before NASCAR was forced to declare the race final due to the rain-soaked track. Hamlin started 17th and clawed his way into the top-15, settling into 12th for most of the race that was delayed nearly six hours by rain showers that passed over the track prior to the scheduled start. Hamlin and his FedEx pit crew made every effort to minimize their time spent on pit road, but in almost every instance, the pit sequence of surrounding cars hampered Hamlin’s exit, costing him valuable track position for the restarts. The finish dropped Hamlin to sixth in the Chase standings, just two points behind the fourth and final transfer spot heading into the final Round of 8 race.

Phoenix Preview: The Series heads to Phoenix International Raceway for Sunday’s 312-lap event on the flat, one-mile desert oval. Hamlin has 10 top-five finishes in 22 career races at the track, including a victory in the spring 2012 event and a third-place result earlier this year. Hamlin has an 11.0 average finish at PIR and has led 441 laps around the track. Hamlin started on the pole and finished fifth in the Chase race at Phoenix in 2014 en route to a berth in the Championship 4, as he looks to transfer into a shot at the Sprint Cup title again this weekend.

Hamlin Statistics:

Track: Phoenix International Raceway

Races: 22

Wins: 1

Top-5: 10

Top-10: 12

Average Start: 11.6

Average Finish: 11.0

Laps Led: 441

Hamlin Conversation — PHOENIX:

What will you have to do at Phoenix to get above the cut line and into the ‘Championship 4?’

“Anytime I’ve been below (the cut line) in an elimination race, I’ve found a way to get in on the final in the elimination round so I like our chances. (Phoenix) is a pressure race and I like pressure. “Phoenix was a good track for us in the spring. I look to go back there and have another great run and go out there and try to win.”

Tractor Settlement Re-Engineering Team Along for the Ride at Phoenix: The No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota’s b-posts will carry the letters “TSRT” this week in recognition of the FedEx Ground Tractor Settlement Re-Engineering Team. Collaboration among employees in the Pittsburgh FedEx Ground headquarters and those working in the field was key to the success of the team, which increased resources provided by tractor contracted service providers not only during the company’s holiday peak season, but throughout the year.

#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