Time for a change?

 Since the first time I heard the name Denny Hamlin, I knew there was something special about this guy.  I've had the utmost respect for Joe Gibbs since the day he came into NASCAR.  He produces champions, he's of NFL greatness, so of course he knows how to mold young men into the finest gold ever produced.  Bobby Labonte exudes class and character and he will forever be the face of JGR to me.  Then there's Tony Stewart.  The firecracker who brought spark and charisma to the world of Motorsports.  My personal feelings for Smoke aside, you can't deny his greatness after winning two championships and going out on his own to start a team that will sustain him after retirement, basing his organization on the model of none other than his boss and mentor, Joe Gibbs.

In my opinion, Joe Gibbs and his son JD know how to pick the best of the best and Denny Hamlin is no exception.  His first win came after adversity that would've sidelined lesser competitors. But this rookie proved he had what it takes to be a champion.  So this season's struggles don't concern me in the least, and I don't feel like any changes are necessary for his crew chief or his pitcrew.

Denny says Mike Ford's his guy and if Ford goes, he goes.  He's stood up for his shot caller numerous times and the loyalty runs deep.  Rumors of a crew chief swap have run rampant and Hamlin insists there will be no changes if the boss plans to keep him onboard.  This is yet another quality that endears me to the FedEx driver.  Last weekend's race at Pocono looked promising for the much needed, highly coveted win the entire # 11 team so desperately wants to get under their belt for the 2011 season and yet again the unthinkable happened.  Only this time, the laps wound down quicker than Denny could rebound and he wound up 19th and dropped to 12th in point standings. 

Denny Hamlin has said all along that 2011 is his season. He is determined to be the man to dethrone Five Time and as a staunch hater of Jimmie Johnson and all of Hendrick Motorsports, I'm all for that plan.  So what's happened? Why does it seem all the wheels are falling off at once and the entire season may explode in Denny's face?  I have but one explanation.  Distractions and high self expectations have taken my heroes focus off of the task of claiming his first in many trophies and making his mark on the sport of auto racing.  Girls, friends and outside interests have become drama with a life of its own that the driver can't quite seem to squash.  The people closest to him try to protect him from the bullshit of life but there will always be people who don't respect him and have his best interest at heart.  Shy of cleaning house and wiping out all the negativity the only hope is to shut out everything and everyone that doesn't lift him up and make him better.

I've said all along that Denny can be his own worst enemy, and unfortunately that is evident this year.  He starts to doubt his own talents and takes his eye off the prize and he has the same result as Peter who took his eyes off of Jesus while he was walking on water to him.  You can't always explain why things are going so well, but the last thing you need to is to start second guessing, questioning and doubting.  Denny knows he's capable of it, he knows his crew chief is the one to get him there and he knows he's a rockstar. Now he just needs to start walking, talking, eating, sleeping...yeah some more of that may help too.... and breathing like a Champion.  Your fans believe in you, I believe in you and now my amazing man, you need to start believing in you. Get back to basics, put the blinders on and focus on filling up your house with race trophies and making room for that coveted Championship trophy. The world is waiting on you to take it by storm...so what are you waiting for?