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?

Bristol Shot In The Arm Hamlin Needed

Michigan was not a field of dreams for Denny Hamlin. In fact, it was more like a living nightmare. He went out first to qualify and wound up starting 37th. He fought his way to a solid Top 10 running spot when the unthinkable happened. With just 6 laps to go, his engine blew up. With a bubble spot in the Chase, it was the only thing Denny was praying didn't happen. But it did.

With the frustration still on the tip of his tongue, Hamlin gave an interview and said that the team made stupid choices and they didn't deserve to be in the Chase. A logical thought after his last 3 months. Apparently, it wasn't the popular thing to say and the press crucified him over it. Kyle Petty berated him while fans booed. The media blew it all out of proportion, as they are known to do, and it insighted a near riot. Nothing like kicking a man when he's down.

With just three critical races left to the Chase cut-off, Denny knew that Bristol was a make or break night for him. Have good luck, take a quick breath. Continue your bad luck and it was time to kiss a spot in the points battle goodbye. Jeff Hammond named D Ham as one of the drivers on his list to miss the Chase.

One thing you should never do, for all those critics out there, is count Denny Hamlin out. No matter how grim things may look for him, never underestimate the power of Virginia's finest. Oh yeah, and never count out his fans. Hamlin needed a shot of self esteem and a boost of confidence and his fans delivered.

When qualifying was over, Denny was sitting a solid 21st. The same starting position he had for the Nationwide Series race on Friday night. He made his way through traffic and was running 10th when he got into the 7 car of Mike Wallace with 31 laps to go ending his night in the Food City 250.

This time when he climbed out of his crinkled 32 Dollar General Toyota, there was a smile on his face. Despite a DNF his confidence never waivered and he was happy. There was something different about Denny and I just knew that he was going to have a great Sharpie 500.

Denny Hamlin had the 11 Fed Ex Freight Toyota running in 10th spot by lap 100. He lost 3 positions following pit stops but quickly moved his way into 7th on lap 185. Hamlin reported the car was very good even though it needed more forward bite.

Crew Chief Mike Ford brought the Fed Ex Freight Toyota down pit road under caution on lap 299. Hamlin was happy with the race car and they made a chassis adjustment, put 1/2 lb of air pressure in the right rear and sent him back out in 4th spot.

With 79 laps to go, Denny passed the 24 of Jeff Gordon to take over 3rd spot and move himself up one spot to 11th in points. Then it was on. Sitting behind the 99 of Carl Edwards and the 18 of Kyle Busch, Hamlin was looking for a chance to pounce. With a caution for debris with 49 laps to go, the Fed Ex crew pulled off the money stop and put on 4 tires and filled it full of Sunoco race fuel in less than 13 seconds.

Hamlin battled back and forth with teammate Kyle Busch for 2nd while Carl Edwards sat comfortably in the lead. Denny had a front row seat for all the action between Edwards and Busch and was praying for the two to wreck each other so he could take over the cat bird seat.

It wasn't in the cards for Hamlin, but the solid third place finish lifted him in the points race and proved that patience and confidence pay off. His post race interview was incredible. While D Ham refused to let himself off the hook as far as the points battle, he did admit that a good finish was the shot of self confidence he was needing.

The team prepares for California and then heads to Hamlin's hometrack in Richmond, Virginia. With a renewed sense of confidence and a few added degrees to the fire burning in Denny Hamlin's belly, the Fed Ex team will be one tough opponent come race day.