Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Express Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: GEICO 500
Date/Time: April 28/2:00 p.m. ET
Distance: 188 laps/500.8 miles
Track Length: 2.66 miles
Track Shape: Tri-oval
Banking: 33 degrees
2018 Winner: Joey Logano
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.
Richmond Recap: Denny Hamlin overcame a pre-race penalty and a difficult-handling car April 13 at Richmond Raceway to earn his fourth straight top-five finish. Hamlin started the race in 30th after his 18th-place qualifying position was disallowed due to pre-race inspection infractions. But once the green flag flew, he went to work in the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota and never looked back. Despite having a tight-handling car, he gradually climbed his way through the field thanks to solid adjustments ordered by crew chief Chris Gabehart and a fast-working pit crew. He finished Stage 1 in 20th and Stage 2 in 14th. The FedEx Camry was handling its best in Stage 3, when Hamlin eventually climbed into the top five. He finished the race in fifth for his sixth top-five result of the season.
Talladega Preview: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be heading to Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 29, for 500 miles of action around the Alabama tri-oval. Hamlin will be looking for his second career victory at Talladega, after capturing the checkered flag in 2014. Hamlin and the #11 FedEx team will look to earn their third win of the season and get back into the top two in the Cup Series standings.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Races: 26
Wins: 1 (2014)
Poles: 0
Top-5: 6
Top-10: 10
Laps Led: 302
Avg. Start: 17.0
Avg. Finish 17.6
Hamlin Conversation:
Your team faced some adversity in Richmond. How do you feel our team responded in order to secure the top-five finish?
“We had our work cut out for us. We started in the back, and our car was tough to handle in traffic. But, we made our FedEx Toyota better as the night went on, and our pit crew brought their A-game and gained us some extra spots on pit road. It was a great comeback for our entire team.”
What are your thoughts as the Cup Series heads from your hometown to a superspeedway at Talladega?
“I’m really proud of the effort our team displayed in Richmond, and it felt great to make such a comeback in front of my hometown crowd. We’re excited to build off that momentum and energy and are ready to take on our next challenge at Talladega.”
FedEx Express Regional Sort Operations in Los Angeles Along for the Ride at Talladega Superspeedway: FedEx Express recognizes the employees at the Company’s Regional Sort Operations in Los Angeles, Calif., for supporting charitable causes and local community needs by featuring the letters LAXR on the B-post of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota at the GEICO 500.
