Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Freight Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Food City 500
Date/Time: April 7/2:00 p.m. ET
Distance: 500 laps/266.5 miles
Track Length: 0.533 miles
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 24-28 degrees
2018 Winner: Kyle Busch
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.
Texas Recap: Denny Hamlin notched his second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season at Texas Motor Speedway after overcoming two penalties in the #11 FedEx Camry during the 334-lap race. Hamlin took the lead for the final time with just 12 laps remaining, following a pit stop for a splash of fuel that sealed the victory for the FedEx team. However, Hamlin’s race up to that point was anything but easy, as he suffered two pit road penalties, one for speeding and one for an uncontrolled tire that would send the #11 to the back of the field each time. But, Hamlin had a fast Toyota Camry and the penalties allowed him to show the rest of the field just how good the FedEx car was. Hamlin started the race sixth and maintained his position near the front throughout the early part of the race. But during the team’s first stop, Hamlin was caught speeding while exiting pit road, sending the FedEx car to the rear of the field, eventually crossing the line 19th at the conclusion of Stage 1. Stage 2 saw the #11 put on a show as Hamlin methodically pick off cars as the laps clicked. With nothing to lose, crew chief Chris Gabehart changed up the team’s strategy during a late-stage caution, calling Hamlin to pit road for fuel only. The gamble paid off and Hamlin restarted from the lead with 12 laps to go in the segment. Hamlin was able to hold off the cars with fresher tires to take the stage win. The Stage 2 win was short-lived when the team suffered an uncontrolled tire penalty, sending Hamlin to the back of the pack for the second time. Gabehart changed up the strategy again, pitting Hamlin off sequence with fresh tires for the first stop, and fuel only for the final two pit stops that allowed Hamlin to get his third career Texas Motor Speedway victory. Following the win, Hamlin maintains the second spot in the championship standings.
Bristol Preview: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series now heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the 500-lap race on Sunday, April 7. Hamlin will be looking for his second career win at “Thunder Valley” having won in 2012, along with seven career top-five finishes and 12 career top-10 finishes. Denny and team will be looking for their third win of the season, potentially moving into the lead in the Cup standings.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Bristol Motor Speedway
Races: 26
Wins: 1 (2012)
Poles: 3 (2013, 2014, 2015)
Top-5: 7
Top-10: 12
Laps Led: 611
Avg. Start: 14.4
Avg. Finish 15.3
Hamlin Conversation:
How was your team able to win today’s race, despite the two penalties?
“We had a really fast FedEx Camry today, just really fast. I told the team over the radio when I was making my way through the pack after the penalties, this really stinks because we’re probably not going to win with the fastest car. It was fun passing all those cars, it really was. It was great, we had such a fast car and that’s how we were able to make up time there at the end.”
What is your team mostly looking forward to this weekend at Bristol?
“Bristol is always a fan favorite, and it would be such an awesome place to return to Victory Lane. We’re proud of our performance at Texas, but now our team is back to work with all our focus on the challenge at Bristol.”
FedEx Freight Memphis Service Center Along for the Ride at Bristol Motor Speedway: For the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, FedEx Freight recognizes the company’s Memphis, Tenn., service center by featuring the call letters MEM on the FedEx Freight #11. The Memphis service center, opened in 1982, has approximately 340 team members who are always committed to making every FedEx experience outstanding.
