RACE INFO:
Event: Kobalt Tools 400
Date/Time: March 9/12 p.m. PT
2013 winner: Matt Kenseth
2013 polesitter: Brad Keselowski
Distance: 267 laps/400.5 miles
Track Length: 1.5 miles
Banking: 20 degrees
Track Shape: D-Shaped Oval
EXPRESS NOTES:
Phoenix Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 19th in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, battling a loose #11 FedEx Office Toyota throughout the 312-lap event won by Kevin Harvick. Hamlin was unable to make up spots on a handful of late-race restarts, with his car working better on longer runs, despite multiple changes to the chassis on pit road called by crew chief Darian Grubb. Harvick crossed the finish line 0.489 seconds ahead of runner-up Dale Earnhardt Jr., followed by Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Jeff Gordon. Hamlin — the 2012 spring Phoenix winner — started 12th and moved into the top-10 before a competition caution on Lap 35. Following the ensuing restart and green flag pit stop on Lap 110, Hamlin fought the car’s handling for the remainder of the event. The finish dropped Hamlin to eighth in points following Phoenix, just 22 markers behind leader Earnhardt Jr. after two of 26 regular season races.
Las Vegas Preview: The Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s 400-mile event on the 1.5-mile oval. Hamlin is making his ninth career Cup Series start at Las Vegas this weekend, owning four top-10 finishes in eight previous trips to the track. Hamlin started a career-best sixth in the event at Las Vegas one year ago, and ran among the leaders for the majority of the race, but a late pit road speeding penalty relegated the FedEx team to a 15th-place finish. Hamlin led three laps in the event won by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Matt Kenseth.
Race Series Date Start Finish Laps (Led)
Kobalt Tools 400 Sprint Cup March 10, 2013 6 15 267/267 3
Kobalt Tools 400 Sprint Cup March 11, 2012 17 20 267/267
Kobalt Tools 400 Sprint Cup March 6, 2011 17 7 267/267
Shelby American Sprint Cup Feb. 28, 2010 27 19 267/267
Shelby 427 Sprint Cup March 1, 2009 34 22 284/285
UAW-Dodge 400 Sprint Cup March 2, 2008 25 9 267/267
UAW-DiamlerChrysler 400 Nextel Cup March 11, 2007 17 3 267/267
UAW-DiamlerChrysler 400 Nextel Cup March 12, 2006 16 10 270/270
Averages/Totals 20.1 13.1 99.9% 3
FedEx Office – Closest to Las Vegas Motor Speedway: 2288 S. Nellis Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89104, (702) 431-5076
Ontario Along for the Ride at Las Vegas: The FedEx Ground Ontario district will be recognized for outstanding service quality with its district code “ONTO” on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Ontario district, part of FedEx Ground’s North American operations based out of the Toronto hub, comprises the Ontario province as well as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
HAMLIN CONVERSATION – LAS VEGAS:
What do you anticipate with the new rules package for the first intermediate race track on schedule?
“I think you’ll see a lot more of what we got a glimpse of at Phoenix last weekend. Teams are still adjusting to the rules and Las Vegas will give everyone a good idea of where their intermediate program is. Obviously, it will help to get four hours of testing in on Thursday to adjust anything we need to for the race weekend. We learn every time we get on the track with these cars and this weekend will be another learning experience. Las Vegas is a fast track, and hopefully we’ll have a fast FedEx Camry to match.”
2014 FEDEX RACING – TEAM ROSTER
Crew Chief: Darian Grubb – Floyd, Va. Front Tire Changer: Dustin Necaise – Gulfport, Miss.
Car Chief: Wesley Sherrill – Robbinsville, N.C. Front Tire Carrier: Brandon Pegram – Statesville, N.C.
Engineer: Mike Wheeler – Southold, N.Y. Rear Tire Changer: Mike Hicks – Salisbury, N.C.
Engineer: Ross Kippenbrock – Indianapolis, Ind. Rear Tire Carrier: Heath Cherry – Belmont, N.C.
Shocks: Drew Bible – Coldwater, Mich. Jackman: Nate Bolling – Swanton, Ohio
Tire Specialist: Kerry Ferris – Perry, N.Y. Gas Man: Caleb Hurd – Pulaski, Va.
Mechanic: Nick Fuller – Casa Grande, Ariz. Pit Crew Coordinator: Paul Alepa – Vienna, Va.
Mechanic: John Furino – Long Island, N.Y. JGR Athletic Director: Michael Lepp – Charlotte, N.C.
Spotter: Chris Lambert – Kannapolis, N.C. Hauler Driver: Jerry Hess – Lancaster, Pa.
Hauler Driver: Frank Hodel – Blythe, Calif.
