Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Freight Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: STP 500
Date/Time: Sunday, March 24/2:00 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 500 Laps/263 Miles
Track Shape: Oval
Track Length: .526 miles
Banking: 12 degrees
2018 Winner: Clint Bowyer
Express Notes:
Press Kit: Download the 2019 FedEx Racing press materials at www.fedexracing.com/presskit, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Chris Gabehart and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights and statistics.
Fontana Recap: Denny Hamlin overcame multiple challenges to earn a seventh-place finish at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Sunday, leading laps and scoring stage points in the 400-mile race. Denny started the 200-lap event sixth, and took the lead twice within the first 12 laps. He also led for multiple laps late in the first stage. The later stages of the race dealt the #11 team a couple of setbacks, including a caution flag that flew right after the team pitted under green, putting Denny a lap down, and a speeding penalty that sent him to the back of the pack for a Stage 3 restart. Each time, the team battled back, with a fast FedEx Express Toyota propelling the team back into the top 10. Sunday’s performance allowed Denny to maintain his fourth-place position in the championship standings after five races.
Martinsville Preview: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads next to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Sunday, March 24, for 500 laps of short-track racing. After 26 starts at the track, Hamlin has a career-best five victories as well as career bests with 13 top-five finishes as well as 19 top-10 finishes. Hamlin and team will be looking to echo his previous strong performances at Martinsville as the #11 will be looking for its second victory of the 2019 season.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Martinsville Speedway
Races: 26
Wins: 5 (career best)
Poles: 3 (tied for career best)
Top-5: 13 (career best)
Top-10: 19 (career best)
Laps Led: 1,536
Avg. Start: 9.2
Avg. Finish: 9.8
Hamlin Conversation:
The FedEx #11 looked fast at Fontana. While your team still collected a top-10 finish, what do you think prevented your team from taking the checkered flag?
“Our FedEx Toyota was fast, and I thought I was as good or better than everyone else, but we struggled on the long run and had the speeding penalty. And, for the third time this season, we pitted right when the caution came out. But, we bounced back and still got a top-10 finish, so I’m proud of our effort.”
Having had so much previous success at Martinsville, does that give you extra excitement or motivation heading into race weekend?
“I treat every race the same and I know our team is always working hard to give the FedEx Toyota the best chance to take the checkered flag. I’m proud of my accomplishments at Martinsville, but every race is different and we will need to be fully focused and be at our best if we are going to have a shot at winning this weekend.”
FedEx Ground Plain District Along for the Ride at Martinsville: The FedEx Ground Plains district will be recognized for outstanding service and quality with its district code “GPLS” on the B-post of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.
