2012 NASCAR Media Week - Joe Gibbs Racing

Coach Joe Gibbs addresses the media while son, JD Gibbs, looks on

Denny Hamlin takes questions from the media

NASCAR Media Week at JGR

New Crew Chief for the #11 Fed Ex Toyota and Denny Hamlin, Darian Grubb, takes questions from the Media

2012 NASCAR Media Week at JGR

Denny Hamlin

JGR's stable Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin

JD Gibbs fields media questions while Dad, Joe Gibbs, looks on

Drama and Disrespect

As I sit here writing, I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.  I've seen a lot of things in my years as a NASCAR fan.  I was at Bristol when Dale Earnhardt dumped Terry Labonte on purpose.  It happened right in front of me and I flipped the bird til my fingers hurt.  I was in Martinsville when Tony Stewart threw down his gloves and heat shields and reached through the window at Kenny Irwin.  Retaliation and flat out wrecking people on purpose is nothing new in this sport. And the sheer stupidity of it isn't either.


So you're driving along at 200 mph, in a car made of sheet metal mere inches off the bumper of 42 other cars.  Someone decided making wise decision was out of their reach of copability and you get mad.  They cut you off, didn't lift, bumped your fender, rode you to the wall, their spotter was caught sleeping at the wheel.  And you are seeing red.  Typical day at the races. Sometimes it's from the waving of the green flag, others it's a few more laps in and if you're into wishful thinking they save it for the last 10 laps or so.  Not always the case however. 

After about the third bump, you realize it's that guy that's been bumping you for the past 4 weeks, expecting you to just pull over when you see them in your rear view mirror and you have had it.  The temperature in the car has hit a boiling point and it's because of your rising blood pressure.  That's it! You've had enough. They are gonna get it.  So what do you decide to do? You guessed it! RETALIATE!!! Best time to do it? UNDER CAUTION!!!!

WRONG!  First of all the yellow flag has waved and the field has slowed because more often than not there are safety workers on the track to aid a driver who has crashedor collect debris and those safety workers are vulnerable to a race car and it's idiot driver.  But you don't care, you're not thinking of anything but that guy in that car that's in your sights for pay backs and you're hell bent on taking them out.  What were you thinking?

NASCAR said "Boys have at it" and I think it was a great idea.  But NOT under caution. NEVER when others are at risk of being hurt. NOT on pit road, NOT when cars are on the track and NOT when an ambulance is waiting to take a possibly injured driver to the Infield Care Center for treatment.

So what did taking out Ron Hornaday under caution actually accomplish Kyle? Your truck was destroyed in the process, you were parked for not one, but three races.  You face fines and points penalties and your sponsors are yet again disappointed in you and your behavior.  If you really wanted to fix it why didn't you wait til you saw the guy in his yard trimming the hedges, jump out of your car and proceed to pound the crap out of him while screaming at him all his wrong doings???  Oh wait! That's how a MAN would handle it and you've proven you're a little boy in a man's world.  You have no respect for yourself with your smug faces, your careless attitude and your blatant disregard for anyone and everyone else around you.  You did the crime now do the time.

Does that mean Ron Hornaday and Kevin Harvick are blameless? Does that mean they have the right to gloat over someone else's punishment? NO! It means Harvick and Kyle Busch are EXACTLY alike which is why they butt heads so much.  Ron Hornaday shouldn't have made threats, Harvick shouldn't have made threats and DeLana Harvick's nasty comments on Twitter were out of line. They took a situation where they could've risen above and come out smelling like a rose and blew it. They stooped to the same level as Kyle Busch and rolled around in the same crap he was playing in and came out looking worse than the guilty one.

To take to Twitter and call someone a P O S and threaten to kick their @$$, call names and harrass Kyle, his wife Samantha, Denny Hamlin, who wasn't even involved and has no responsibility for his teammate in the Cup series, or fans of JGR is classless.  It shows the mentatlity of the people involved and does give some claim to Kyle's frustatrations but it's no excuse for his behavior.

Was it worth it? Is the time at home what you wanted out of the situation? Are you happy now? Is it all better? When you speak to your sponsors and assure them that it won't happen again, do you realize you've lost face with them and have proven you aren't a man of your word because you made that same promise the last time this happened with you. You went back on that word and did the one thing you assured the people who sign your paycheck you wouldn't do.  On top of all that, your wallet is lighter, your Championship run is wasted, all the good things you did all season long have been marred by one foolish decision.  If you don't respect your fellow competitors, could you atleast have respect for yourself?

Kyle issued this apology to the media:

“I've had a lot of time today to sit and reflect and try to put my thoughts into words as best I can.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during Friday night's Truck Series race at Texas.

“I apologize to my fans, all my sponsors, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports.
“After talking with my team, it's great to have their support and encouragement to assure me that there are better days ahead. Even though this took place while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, I am sorry for how difficult this has been for everyone associated with Joe Gibbs Racing's Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series teams.

“I'd also like to apologize to Ron Hornaday Jr., and everyone associated with the No. 33 team in the Truck Series.

“I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend. NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions.

“As a race-car driver, the hardest thing to do is to sit on the sidelines listening to cars on the track when you know you should be out there competing. For this, I have no one to blame but myself.
“Through a lot of support from the people around me, I feel like I've made a lot of strides this year, but this was certainly a step backward. Moving forward, I will do everything I possibly can to represent everyone involved in a positive manner. However, I know my long-term actions will have more of a bearing than anything I say right now.”

And his wife penned this to the fans via her website, www.samanthabusch.com:

To all the Fans

November 5, 2011

I wanted to write a quick note to all of you addressing the incident that happened during the truck race on Friday night. No, I was not going to comment on the situation Friday night in the midst of all the angry and harsh tweets, there was really no point. I understand that Kyle’s actions were wrong and NASCAR has dealt with the issue appropriately. I love my husband very much and will always be by his side through the good and the bad. Life is not always easy but you deal with each day as it comes and we will move on from this the best that we can.

I also want to thank all of the nice people out there, and let you all know that we really appreciate your support and love through this difficult time. I appreciate everything that you guys do as fans in this sport by coming out to the races, watching on TV and interacting with us via Facebook and Twitter. Along with our family and friends, it has been your kind words and support that make a difficult time better and I sincerely Thank You.
Samantha

Team owner Joe Gibbs has accepted full responsibility for Kyle and his actions and is showing the class act that he is.  I have long admired Coach Joe, his son JD and the entire JGR organization.  They have shown the racing world what true sportsmanship and class are.  That doesn't mean their drivers aren't human and they don't make mistakes, it simply means they hold themselves to a higher standard, correct a problem as soon as it arises and don't make excuses for bad behavior. They admit their failures, apologize and do their best going forward to ensure it doesn't happen again. And if it does, then they go back to the drawing board for a different solution.  That is why I will always be a fan of Joe Gibbs Racing.

I am a Denny Hamlin fan, plain and simple. I have taken a neutral stance about Kyle Busch because he's a teammate to my driver.  He has some good points that I like about him and then there's this situation. This is the man who went out on a public road with his wife and drove a car at 120 mph without considering anyone but himself. His excuse was he's a professional driver and he had it under control. I'm sorry Kyle, but you can't control cars backing out of their driveway, kids riding bikes or farm equipment or tractors that may happen to enter the roadway. You don't have those obstacles on the racetrack.  He didn't take responsibility for his actions then and it really ticked me off.  He put his wife at risk and that goes against his vows to love, honor and cherish her.

He said in his apology that his future actions will speak louder than words. EXACTLY! I'm waiting and I'm watching.  More of his attitude and facial expressions than anything.  But regardless of what Kyle did or didn't do, fans have no right to attack him, his lovely wife Samantha, who is innocent and is far too sweet and kind to fans to deserve such disgusting behavior and especially to Denny Hamlin who wasn't involved in any way and by filling in for him on Saturday was simply following orders from his boss.

In a sport where the world is watching and following every move, word, action and deed...these men are held to a higher standard.  The fans are merciless and if a driver gets a reputation for being wreckless, it's nearly impossible to overcome.  I don't want Kyle to change his driving style, I just want him to consider the consequences for his actions before he does them.  He's racing in all 3 series, two of which he isn't even points eligible for, and the things that happen in those races aren't important.

That brings up my argument for NASCAR not allowing drivers who have made it full time into the Cup series in the lesser series.  Especially the trucks.  If it's money they're after, then limit the number of NNS races. Those guys can't get a win and the series champion will be an also ran, winless, average 15th finish driver who is worth more than he's been able to show.  But that's a whole different discussion.

FedEx Crew Defends Pit Crew Championship

2010 wasn't just a fluke. The pit crew that services the #11 FedEx Toyota on pit road week after week showcased their talents against the best of the best on May 19th at the Time Warner Cable Arena for the 2011 Pit Crew Challenge.  It was up to the defending champions to set the bar high and they did just that!

 The No. 11 crew beat the No. 22 of Kurt Busch to set up a semifinal matchup against the crowd-favorite No. 88 of Dale Earnhardt Jr., which had just beaten the No. 27 of Paul Menard.  Dale Earnhardt Jr. was on hand to support his crew, but it wasn't enough and Hamlin’s team prevailed in one of the closest races of the evening — 22.259 seconds to 23.325.

Setting up the semifinal, the No. 14 team of owner/driver Tony Stewart beat the No. 48 across the finish line, but drew 10 seconds of penalties for fueling issues. As a result, the No. 48 team advanced.  Fueling problems with the new closed system mandated by NASCAR this year cost Stewart dearly in last Sunday’s race at Dover. Though the Pit Crew Challenge featured the fueling system in place last year, it nevertheless proved the downfall of the No. 14 Chevrolet team, which had performed flawlessly in advancing to the semifinals.

Do you think the agony of defeat was on the minds of the FedEx crew as they prepared to show the world just who ruled pit road? You bet your sweet ass it was and the No. 11 completed its stop — jacking the car, fueling and changing front and rear tires — and pushed its Toyota across the finish line in 22.298 seconds to 22.714 for the No. 48 Chevrolet. 

The look of elation on the face of team owner Joe Gibbs says it all.  His team is the first back-to-back champions of the pit crew challenge and truly are the greatest in the sport!  And if you want to know how the driver, Denny Hamlin, feels about his guys...let's just say he knows they're all bigger than him and could totally kick his ass.  Either way, the entire team kicks the competition's asphalt every week and they showcased their bad ass skills and prevailed as the baddest on the planet...in the place where it is a good thing to be bad.

The FedEx Toyota Crew of Champions is:

• Scott Wood - Gas Man
•  Justin White - Second Gas Man
• Nick Krizmanich - Front Tire Changer
• Brandon Pegram - Front Tire Carrier
• Mike Hicks - Rear Tire Changer
• Heath Cherry - Rear Tire Carrier
• Nate Bolling - Jack Man

 
Congratulations to the entire FedEx crew, Joe Gibbs racing and Denny Hamlin. We don't just support the driver every week, we cheer for you and are so thankful for the training, sacrifice and hard work you put into the greatest job and best driver on the planet. This was a well deserved victory...bask in the glory and soak up the elation.  We look forward to seeing you shine at the Coca Cola 600.

Coach Joe Gibbs Has Flippin' Good Time In Hampton

The former Redskins coach and his NASCAR sponsor galvanize a large Arena Racing crowd at the Coliseum.

Was it "The Gut vs. The Butt" or "The Gut vs. The Gut?" Listening to the hilarious banter between former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and Interstate Batteries chairman Norm Miller, billing their match race wasn't easy.

Whatever you call it, Gibbs' visit to the Hampton Coliseum on Friday was the biggest thing to happen to Arena Racing USA in a long time. About 3,500 watched their race, more three times the usual gathering for an area arena race.Gibbs and Miller put on a memorable show driving the half-scale cars on the 1-10th-of-a-mile track. They were scheduled to race 20 laps, but a spectacular crash ended it on the sixth lap.

Moments after scraping into the Turn 2 wall, Gibbs tried to pass Miller by driving low in Turn 4, but clipped the right rear of Miller's car with his left front. The hit sent Miller barrel-rolling into the Turn 4 wall.

Miller was unhurt, but one flip was enough. Gibbs was declared the winner, but he handed the first-place trophy to Miller, a close friend whose business has sponsored Gibbs' NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams for 17 years.

"No excuses, I was out of control," Gibbs said, before joking, "I blame it on Norm."Miller said, "He was running better than me and probably would've passed me. When he hit me, I saw the wall coming, but the helmet and the safety equipment worked fine."

The crowd for the 100th area arena event was the largest since Dale Earnhardt Jr. attended a 2002 race at the Norfolk Scope. They enthusiastically applauded Gibbs and Miller, both of whom are investors in Richmond native Ricky Dennis' indoor racing venture.

Many, like Russell Heffner of Norfolk, are lifelong fans of the Redskins, whom Gibbs guided to three Super Bowl victories. Heffner arrived at the Coliseum an hour before the doors opened to get at the front of a line of hundreds of autograph-seekers Gibbs accommodated before the race.

"I've been a Redskins fan all of my life, so I came here for a chance to meet him," Heffner, 32, said. "I wish I'd brought the T-shirt I had framed from the Redskins' (1992) Super Bowl win against Buffalo."But I'll get him to sign this (maroon) Redskins hat and I'll put it in a clear acrylic box. I'm excited. He's the man who won three Super Bowls."Mike Berg, a Chick-fil-A operator in Hampton, was one of the lucky few to meet Gibbs at a small gathering for those whose businesses bought lots of tickets. Berg acquired Gibbs' signature on three footballs, a Redskins shirt and a replica of RFK Stadium.

"I love his Christian values," Berg said. "He's always stood up for what he believed in."Gibbs also is the owner of a three-car NASCAR team that has won three Sprint Cup Series titles. Before signing autographs, Gibbs talked to the media about the Cup season that begins with the Feb. 15 Daytona 500.

"We have three young guys and I don't know if anybody's ever had three young drivers like this," he said. "We have them (ages) 18 (Joey Logano), 23 (Kyle Busch) and 26 (Denny Hamlin)."

I think it's going to be an interesting year for us. "Gone from the team after 10 seasons is Tony Stewart, who drove to two Cup titles for Gibbs. But Gibbs' inability to fit into one of the orange-and-black Home Depot suits Stewart wore last season prompted a hilarious pre-race exchange with Miller. "They gave me Tony's uniform, and I've accused Tony of being a little overweight," Gibbs said. "I got that thing on, and I'll be honest with you, I've got this much room left (about a 4-inch gap at the waist) and five people trying to zip it up."

Gibbs then implied that Miller's stomach size might make driving the tiny arena cars difficult for him. Miller countered by pointing to his ample waistline, covered by the Interstate Batteries uniform that replicates the one worn by Gibbs driver Kyle Busch.

"I was worried about the 'Slosh Effect,' " Miller said, feigning concern that his belly might cause weight imbalance in the small car. "I was thinking that my gut might give me an advantage, a low center of gravity."

But then I thought: What about Joe's butt? So it will be 'The Butt against the Gut.' "The Butt won. Then the close friends walked out of the arena, joking as always."I might have to cut my sponsorship in half," Miller said.

Courtesy The Daily Press.com

Coach Joe Gibbs To Race At Hampton Coliseum

Joe Gibbs promised himself a long time ago that he would never race a car in front of people. His sons, Coy and JD Gibbs have tried their hand at racing but the elder Gibbs' has always been a spectator and owner. He'll break that vow tonight to help Arena Racing USA draw people to the Hampton Coliseum.

Gibbs, the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who guided the Washington Redskins to three Super Bowl titles, will participate in a match race against Interstate Batteries chairman Norm Miller. Gibbs and Miller are investors in Arena Racing, and will stage their exhibition as part of the series' 100th event held in the area."I got lured into this, and it's not going to be pretty," said Gibbs, the owner of three cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "But I don't want to lose to Norm."Gibbs and Miller will race in half-scale stock cars capable of reaching 50 mph on the 1/10-mile banked aluminum track at the coliseum. They will sign autographs at a 6:30 p.m. meet-and-greet, then race at about 9:10 p.m. as part of a five-race card. Racing begins at 7:30 p.m.

Gibbs and Miller are close friends with a long racing history together. Interstate Batteries was the first major sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing in 1992, when Gibbs became a Cup owner.Interstate Batteries sponsored the Gibbs car Bobby Labonte drove to the 2000 Cup title, the first of three that Gibbs drivers have won. Gibbs, Miller and their wives (Pat Gibbs and Anne Miller) often vacation together often. Miller challenged Gibbs to the match race earlier this month. Their good-natured trash-talking has escalated since.

"Norm keeps telling everybody I'm the favorite, but if you ever saw him drive on the street, you'd know he has the inside leg," Gibbs said.Replied Miller: "A low center of gravity is key to racing these cars. I thought my gut gave me the lower center of gravity, but Joe's butt has got me beat. I'm going to hold back to the last lap or two, and then try to go by him."

Blake Murphy, the CEO of Arena Racing in Hampton Roads, doesn't care who wins. He's ecstatic that Gibbs and Miller will bring their drawing power to the coliseum.Murphy said that arena races in the area average about 1,300 fans, with advance sales usually about two dozen. By Wednesday night, area businesses had purchased almost 700 tickets for the Gibbs-Miller race."It's safe to say we'll have our largest crowd this season," Murphy said, noting the largest gathering this season has been about 2,000. "We're hoping for 3,000 and would be thrilled if 4,000 people come."

It's a special thing, because a NASCAR owner is racing against his sponsor. But what's really special is that they are fitting this time in while getting geared up for the NASCAR season." Gibbs' racing team, which includes former Langley Speedway division champion Denny Hamlin, is a hot topic of conversation with the season-opening Daytona 500 less than a month away.

Kyle Busch's hot start thrust the team into the national spotlight last season. The debut of 18-year-old Joey Logano as a full-time Cup driver is one of the most anticipated in Cup history. Gibbs is trying to temper expectations."Chances are with a young driver, you're going to go through a learning curve," Gibbs said. "It's huge challenge, so we've put veterans like Greg Zipadelli (crew chief for Tony Stewart's two Cup titles with Gibbs) around him."

Busch, Logano and Hamlin have a combined age of 69, one year older than Gibbs. That's ironic for a guy who debuted as an NFL coach at 40, barely older than some of his Redskins players.Gibbs, who retired as an NFL coach last season, commented on the proliferation of young head coaches, like Peninsula native Mike Tomlin. Tomlin, 36, has guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to this year's Super Bowl."

Younger coaches are a trend," Gibbs said. "I think (NFL executives) are seeing that if they have a young guy and he has success, they can keep him for 15 years." Then he joked, "I guess that hinders my chances of getting on with anybody."Gibbs sounds perfectly happy in NASCAR, spending time with guys like Miller. No matter that he might try to run Miller off the track tonight."I'm not the technical guy," Gibbs said of his Cup ownership duties. "I'm more about relationships, working with people and keeping our longtime sponsors happy."

IF YOU'RE GOING: Joe Gibbs will participate in an Arena Racing USA match race tonight at the Hampton Coliseum against one of his NASCAR team's sponsors: Norm Miller, chairman of Interstate Batteries. Gibbs — the NASCAR owner who earned Pro Football Hall of Fame status as coach of the Washington Redskins — will sign autographs from 6:30-7:15 p.m., prior to the five-race card.

DOORS OPEN: 6:30 p.m.

RACING BEGINS: 7:30 p.m.

GIBBS' RACE BEGINS: 9:10 p.m.

TICKETS: $10 for adults and include a free ticket for kids 3-12; $7 for students and senior citizens; military with ID are admitted at half-price for Military Appreciation Night

Courtesy dailypress.com

What's So Unusual About Dominance?

In the above picture you see the amazing TEAM of Joe Gibbs Racing that is responsible for winning Joe Gibbs Racing the 2008 Owner's Championship for the No. 20 Toyota. JGR Teammates Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were selected to drive the season dominating car for the races they were best suited to and did it ever pay off. Big time.

Rookie phenom Joey Logano was being kept in the wings to become the heir apparent to the ride that would eventually be his. There was just one small problem. Sliced Bread wasn't old enough to pilot the No. 20 until May 24th. So the veteran drivers of team the entire Nationwide garage has chased all season long stepped up in a big way for their team.

It's been slated that JGR's approach to its Owners Championship is unusual. Wow, jealousy makes people say crazy things. Excuses and reasons are a dime a dozen but this one is certainly the most colorful I've ever heard. So, the fact that all 4 drivers in a stable were able to climb behind the wheel of the same car and get the same stellar results is odd. Interesting philosophy.

Perhaps the fact that even after the suspension of crew chief Dave Rogers, the team didn't slow down one bit makes it an even more bitter pill to swallow. The entire team stepped up to the plate and showed its qualifications. While the No. 18 car of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch was the more dominant of the JGR cars after the addition of Logano, the consistency never waivered.

Seeing 4 drivers that get along, look out for one another and strive to bring out the best in each other is definitely something unusual in today's fiercely competitive racing. But it only showcases the caliber man that Joe and JD Gibbs put behind the wheel of their cars. Anyone can hire a race car driver. But when an owner hires a man to do the job, the results are incredible.

Just ask the guys shaking their heads trying to figure out what happened this season. There is such a thing as teammates. There is such a thing as being a gentleman and the drivers of JGR are the finest caliber gentlemen ever to hit the sport of auto racing. There isn't a more deserving group of guys than the ones that earned this trophy.

I've watched Denny Hamlin mentor Joey Logano in a way that leaves me in awe. Joey's first race, Denny was talking to Logano on the radio and his encouragement was breath taking. The entire team is there for each other in the same way and it's refreshing. There is no competition. The other drivers need to take notice and see how it's done.

After winning the pole for the Nationwide series race at Phoenix, Denny Hamlin was more concerned about teammate Joey Logano than he was about himself. That's just Denny but it's also the entire JGR team. Always looking out for each other and doing whatever it takes to help their friend shine if they can't.

In this day and age of fierce competition and struggles to find sponsorship for up and coming superstars, Joe Gibbs Racing and it's champion drivers prove that it truly is a team effort to be successful. It wasn't just one driver. While Kyle Busch has the majority of the wins, he didn't capture them all and he is fully aware of the efforts of his fellow drivers. Perhaps if more teams built their organizations the same way Joe and JD Gibbs have with the caliber of man behind the wheel that they possess the sport would not only be better off, it would be spectacular.

What Makes A Man A NASCAR Driver?

My favorite NASCAR driver is Denny Hamlin. His full name is James Dennis Alan Hamlin Jr. He was born on November 18,1980 to Denny and Mary Lou Hamlin in the small town of Chesterfield, Virginia. He stands just 6'0" tall and weighs only 170 pounds but he is larger than life. He has a warm, gentle smile that lights up a room and green eyes that can melt you with just one glance. The things they have seen in his short 27 years would probably leave a lesser man overwhelmed. But to watch Denny carry himself in his element is an honor that no one on this earth truly deserves.


As a child, his dream was to drive a race car. Not exactly Little League or Pee Wee Football and so much more expensive. How does one teach their son to drive a race car and win? It takes a talent and a gift that only comes around once in a lifetime. The truly great ones are special and priceless. When they work their way through the ranks of small hometown tracks to the circuits and divisions sponsored by NASCAR, they must prove that they have something spectacular that sets them apart from the rest of the guys trying to live out the same dream.


To catch the attention of an owner in the sport of NASCAR is nothing short of miraculous. Being able to win races against other guys who are just trying to chase the dream is so much different than competing with guys who have won more races than years he has lived and is a defending champion. You have to have a drawing point and that is exactly what Denny Hamlin has.


When Joe Gibbs took notice of the young phenom from Virginia, little did he know how special his young protege would be. At just 24 years old, Denny Hamlin was about to be thrust into the most harsh, unforgiving, life changing career of his life. He had the talent, but nothing could prepare him for the demands of fans, sponsors and the media. Every person he came in contact with was a threat and he had to constantly question their motives and protect himself.


With fame came fortune and for such a young man, it was going to be blinding and difficult. But Denny Hamlin was raised well by his Mama who taught him to always be respectful and to be a gentleman. But all of that came easily to Denny. It was the trust that would have to be earned by every person entering his life that would be the most terrifying hurdle to overcome. The constant question of "are they out for my money and my fame or do they really care about ME" would keep him up more nights than how the car would perform come race day.


As a wide-eyed kid, Denny Hamlin could never imagine what awaited him in the process of seeing his biggest dream come true. But with his friends who have stuck with by him since childhood, a good boss who knows what it's like to corral young, handsome talent in early stardom and the values he was raised with, Denny Hamlin has proven that it is possible to live your dream and not forget who you are or where you came from.


He never picked up a basketball and desired to be like Mike. The thrill of the Super Bowl winning touchdown pass didn't call him to be the next Troy Aikman. The crack of the bat just didn't have the same thrill for him as it did for Babe Ruth. Denny Hamlin wanted to race and be like his hero, Bill Elliott. He watched his NFL favorite Washington Redskins but instead of wanting to play for Coach Joe Gibbs, he wanted to drive a race car for him. In fact, he told Joe that he would be driving for him one day. A premonition at its most glorious. Joe Gibbs just laughed and when he was later reminded of that conversation noted that he never realized that he'd have to pay the kid so much to do just that.


Denny's father, big Denny, when interviewed following his son's first victory at Pocono in 2006, said if he had known his son would be that great he'd have had a bunch more and sold them off. A very fitting tribute to one of the most talented, down to earth, genuine, caring guys in the sport of kings.


As Denny returns to Texas, the sight of his very first Cup race to mark his 113th career start, I am reminded of that awkward, nervous, yet excited young man who was about to steal my heart and change the way I view NASCAR forever. I had come to believe that rubbing was racing and that tearing up race cars was just par for the course. When it came to winning, every driver would take out his own mother to get that trophy. But that's not Denny Hamlin. He doesn't tear up race cars and he doesn't crash his friends. He gives respect and demands it in return. He isn't larger than life.... he's just James Dennis Hamlin Jr and he likes to race. It's an amazing hobby that has taken him places he never imagined and has taken its own toll and changed him forever.


Every time I see him on TV, I remember that he is flesh and bone and feelings and emotions. He wasn't born in that fire suit, he put it on one leg at a time just like I did when I got dressed that morning. The only difference between Denny Hamlin and the average man is he can do what most can't. Drive 180 mph and not get pulled over by the cops for doing it.

So what makes a NASCAR driver? Just an average guy who is willing to leave behind life as they know it and climb behind the wheel of a multi-million dollar car and be the center of attention and the object of desire for millions of people seeking to destroy them. The bright lights are mesmerizing and the fame is overwhelming. But for the select few who are grounded with a good head on their shoulders, they emerge as the true heroes. To me, that is Denny Hamlin. Just a man who happens to drive for a living. I want to be just like him when I grow up. Ah, who am I kidding? I'm never growing up.