Pit-Sure Perfect Win For Hamlin
Lenox Industrial Tools 300
7/1/2007
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin should have no complaints with his crew this week. After weeks of frustration and poor luck, crew chief Mike Ford's two-tire call on the final pit stop of the day set Hamlin out front of the field and in position to win. In the closing laps, Hamlin was able to hold off a hard charging Jeff Gordon, whose Dupont Chevrolet came up just short of the win.
This season has been more than stellar for the sophomore sensation. Going into Sunday's Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway, Hamlin had recorded eleven top ten finishes and had overwhelmingly led the majority of laps in the COT races. However, Hamlin had yet to find victory lane in 2007. After poor pit stops at Darlington, Hamlin expressed concern over the performance of his pit crew. "If we lose by 20 or 30 points in the championship it's because we lost it on pit road (NASCAR.com, 5/14)" Changes were made the following week, and it was becoming apparent if Hamlin and his No. 11 Fed-Ex crew were going to win the championship their problems on pit road needed to be answered.
Pocono Raceway offered Hamlin the best chance to capture his first victory of the year. After sweeping both races last year in dominant fashion, Hamlin appeared to be doing the same this June when a four-tire call by Mike Ford mired the Fed-Ex Chevrolet deep in the field. When rain shortened the race, Hamlin had worked through the field to sixth, but was forced to settle with that. Both driver and crew knew they had blown their chance at the victory.
Coming into this weekend's race at Louden, Hamlin was second in points; only 171 behind leader Jeff Gordon. With no bonus points for wins, Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs Racing team were looking for a big points day at the Magic Mile.
After a caution for debris on Lap 254, the leaders hit pit road for their final round of stops. Gunning for track position, clean air and perhaps to make up for the failed Pocono decision, crew chief Mike Ford took a chance and called for a two tire stop. Hamlin restarted with the lead on Lap 259 and was able to hold off Martin Truex Jr. and Jeff Gordon to capture his first win of the year.
"We were back in sixth and seventh most of the day and the only shot we had was to get track position," Hamlin told the Associated Press, "You know, two tires worked for us earlier [in the race] and we kind of made a note that anything inside of 120 laps to go we were going to do two."
Still second in points behind Jeff Gordon, Hamlin's victory is sure to boost moral on the whole at Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite running strong all year, the entire organization has struggled to find victory lane - until this weekend. Heading into the wild card that is restrictor plate racing at Talladega, Hamlin and teammate Tony Stewart have a chance to capitalize on this momentum and put Joe Gibbs Racing back in the winner's circle.
Check out more of my blogs each week at:
http://blog.myspace.com/155157031
Jay W. Pennell
Lenox Industrial Tools 300
7/1/2007
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Denny Hamlin should have no complaints with his crew this week. After weeks of frustration and poor luck, crew chief Mike Ford's two-tire call on the final pit stop of the day set Hamlin out front of the field and in position to win. In the closing laps, Hamlin was able to hold off a hard charging Jeff Gordon, whose Dupont Chevrolet came up just short of the win.
This season has been more than stellar for the sophomore sensation. Going into Sunday's Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway, Hamlin had recorded eleven top ten finishes and had overwhelmingly led the majority of laps in the COT races. However, Hamlin had yet to find victory lane in 2007. After poor pit stops at Darlington, Hamlin expressed concern over the performance of his pit crew. "If we lose by 20 or 30 points in the championship it's because we lost it on pit road (NASCAR.com, 5/14)" Changes were made the following week, and it was becoming apparent if Hamlin and his No. 11 Fed-Ex crew were going to win the championship their problems on pit road needed to be answered.
Pocono Raceway offered Hamlin the best chance to capture his first victory of the year. After sweeping both races last year in dominant fashion, Hamlin appeared to be doing the same this June when a four-tire call by Mike Ford mired the Fed-Ex Chevrolet deep in the field. When rain shortened the race, Hamlin had worked through the field to sixth, but was forced to settle with that. Both driver and crew knew they had blown their chance at the victory.
Coming into this weekend's race at Louden, Hamlin was second in points; only 171 behind leader Jeff Gordon. With no bonus points for wins, Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs Racing team were looking for a big points day at the Magic Mile.
After a caution for debris on Lap 254, the leaders hit pit road for their final round of stops. Gunning for track position, clean air and perhaps to make up for the failed Pocono decision, crew chief Mike Ford took a chance and called for a two tire stop. Hamlin restarted with the lead on Lap 259 and was able to hold off Martin Truex Jr. and Jeff Gordon to capture his first win of the year.
"We were back in sixth and seventh most of the day and the only shot we had was to get track position," Hamlin told the Associated Press, "You know, two tires worked for us earlier [in the race] and we kind of made a note that anything inside of 120 laps to go we were going to do two."
Still second in points behind Jeff Gordon, Hamlin's victory is sure to boost moral on the whole at Joe Gibbs Racing. Despite running strong all year, the entire organization has struggled to find victory lane - until this weekend. Heading into the wild card that is restrictor plate racing at Talladega, Hamlin and teammate Tony Stewart have a chance to capitalize on this momentum and put Joe Gibbs Racing back in the winner's circle.
Check out more of my blogs each week at:
http://blog.myspace.com/155157031
Jay W. Pennell