Good Sam Club 500 - Talladega Results

1. 33   Clint Bowyer
2. 31   Jeff Burton
3. 36   Dave Blaney
4. 2     Brad Keselowski
5. 83   Brian Vickers
6. 4     Kasey Kahne
7. 14   Tony Stewart
8. 11   Denny Hamlin
9. 15   Michael Waltrip
10. 56   Martin Truex Jr
11. 99   Carl Edwards
12. 27   Paul Menard
13. 00   David Reutimann
14. 16   Greg Biffle
15. 21   Trevor Bayne
16. 51   Landon Cassill
17. 13   Casey Mears
18. 17   Matt Kenseth
19. 9    Marcos Ambrose
20. 5    Mark Martin
21. 38  Travis Kvapil
22. 34   David Gilliland
23. 42   Juan Montoya
24. 20   Joey Logano
25. 88   Dale Earnhardt Jr
26. 48   Jimmie Johnson
27. 24   Jeff Gordon
28. 6     David Ragan
29. 1     Jamie McMurray   -4
30. 78   Regan Smith   Accident
31. 43   AJ Allmendinger   -9
32. 29   Kevin Harvick   -9
33. 18   Kyle Busch   -13
34. 32   Terry Labonte   -13
35. 47   Bobby Labonte   Accident
36. 22   Kurt Busch   Accident
37. 7     Robby Gordon   Rear Gear
38. 39   Ryan Newman   -16
39. 71   Andy Lally   Accident
40. 66   Michael McDowell   Clutch
41. 87   Joe Nemechek   Rear Gear
42. 55   JJ Yeley   Wheel Bearings
43. 97   Kevin Conway   Vibration

Like Being Stuck Without A Date To Prom

Going into Sunday's Good Sam Club 500 at Talladega, I was absolutely terrified.  After losing Dan Wheldon last Sunday in a horrific crash at Las Vegas during the IndyCar finale, I was more than a little unsettled at the idea of Denny Hamlin returning to the track.  But it wasn't just any track, it was Talladega, the sight of a scary crash for Hamlin just a few years ago that still has me shaking in my boots and thanking God for keeping Denny safe.  I cried as the cars began the pace laps, kept whispering prayers of protection for the FedEx wheelman and kept my eyes glued to the screen for every single lap.  But what I saw still leaves me baffled.  As the laps started to tick off, Hamlin found himself alone, without a drafting partner, even after Ryan Newman had promised to hook up with the #11 car.  Newman had found his team owner, Tony Stewart, and had abandoned Hamlin for a chance at leading laps with the #14 car.  This left Hamlin a lap down, searching for help anywhere he could find it.

Luckily, the caution came out, Hamlin was the Lucky Dog and he was back on the lead lap.  But still dateless.  He was searching for anyone who would help him, ticking off the likes of Earnhardt Jr, who used some pretty disgusting language to express his frustration.  But Karma is a cruel mistress and the #39 car of Newman was involved in a crash that ended his chances of being competitive and he ended the day 16 laps down.  Fellow JGR teammates, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano had been sambaing their way to the front of the field, only to have Logano involved in a crash and a flat tire destroyed his left front fender.  Finally!  A light at the end of the tunnel for Hamlin, who quickly paired up with Kyle Busch as Logano found his way to Tony Stewart and tucked his damaged fender behind the #14 to reduce the effects of his damage.  But just like the old saying goes, what goes around comes back around and Kyle Busch also found himself in an accident and Hamlin was once again searching for someone to dance with.

It was the #15 car of Michael Waltrip who came to Hamlin's rescue time after time.  He made sure Hamlin always had a partner and if he was needed, he found his way to the #11 and assisted however possible. Talk about your class acts! Thank you Michael Waltrip! You truly are a good friend to Denny and I can't tell you enough how much your support was appreciated.

By the end of the race, Hamlin must've felt like he'd been rode hard and put away wet. He saw more action than a gigolo on a Saturday night and no doubt needed a long hot shower with a good scrub brush to wash the effects of the day away. It was exhausting and heart breaking to witness and his 8th place finish was hard fought for.  At least when he spun in the late stages of the race he escaped with no ill effects and my heart could resume beating normally. 

It was a difficult day to say the least.  The thoughts of Dan Wheldon's wife and her two sons is still heavy on my mind and my heart aches for her and his family and friends. The motorsports community is reeling from tragic loss and this fan is still experiencing some sleepless nights worrying about the driver she cares so deeply for.  It is a dangerous sport made worse by drivers who outdrive their abilities and take stupid chances too early in the race.  Thankfully the day is over, everyone is safe and sound and Martinsville is only a few days away. 

If I were to sum it up, I think my words would fail me. So I'll quote Denny himself "The best I can describe it is we were stuck without a date to the prom, so I was just hitting on everyone's mom."  Well said Denny, and on that note I say...on to Martinsville

We're NOT in Kansas Anymore!

First of all, I would like to extend my sincerest Thank Yous to all the fans who sent Denny a Get Well Message this week. It means a lot to me, and to him, to know that you all read the posts and care enough to take the time out to leave comments. Denny has read your well wishes and if you'd like to see what he had to say, please check it out.

Denny reassured me that while he is still a little sore, he is healthy and ready to race at Martinsville. He was extremely upbeat and light-hearted during our weekly conversation, which was a good sign to me that he's back to being the D Ham we all adore. I talked to him about going back home to Virginia to race at Martinsville, his car at Charlotte and just some things I wanted to know.

Here is an excerpt from our chat before I get in to the interview:

Hello Becca,

Thank you for all of your devoted support. It means the world to me to know you care that much about me. I am honestly doing fine. I'm still sore but I'm healthy and ready to race at Martinsville. It means a lot to me to know that you care so much about my health so thank you. I hope you have a great week. Take care.

Denny Hamlin

Becca: What happened with the car at Charlotte? You said that you were being dragged down the front stretch...what was going on?
Denny: Well the car was horrible all together. It wasn't turning right and it just felt like we were being dragged. I am actually surprised that we finished as good as we did.

Becca: You won at Martinsville in the spring, what are your feelings on a repeat?

Denny: We would love to get another win at Martinsville. We are 12th in points right now and we would like to gain a few positions and the only way we can do that is to get some wins. As you know we are good at Martinsville and with it being my home track it would mean everything to me to get another win there.

Becca: After a tough couple of weeks, what would a win at Martinsville mean to you?

Denny: It would mean everything to me. With the couple of weeks we had we are hungry for another win.

Becca: Are you maintaining your focus and goals for the Chase or are you adding a second set of goals for Martinsville?

Denny: We are just looking at winning at the moment. If we get a few wins under our belt then we can focus on the chase.

Becca: It's always pretty special to go home, but after Dega do you have a little more emotion going where you have so many fans and friends?
Denny: Every time I go home there is always more emotion. I put my heart and soul into winning at home and when I don't win there I feel like its a let down not only for me but for my team, fans and family.

Becca: Do you still follow the Redskins? Who is your favorite NFL Player?
Denny: Yes, I still follow the Redskins. I don't really have a favorite player.

Becca: Have you ever met Troy Aikman? Do you ever talk to him? He is my all time favorite NFL player so I was just curious.

Denny: No I have never met Troy Aikman although it would definitely be a pleasure.

His Nationwide series victory in Kansas is a distant memory, he is recovering from that mortifying crash at Talladega and we have resolved that I will not worry so much about him. He's made of steel, or so he's trying to convince me. This week he is back home in Virginia and ready to get down to the business of proving that he is Championship material just like Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle.

Never count Denny out at Martinsville. The adrenaline of the screaming fans, being surrounded by family and friends that support him with the utmost loyalty and the familiarity of home are sure to give Denny the boost of confidence he needs to get to Victory Lane again.

As the season winds down, I reflect on the roller coaster that has been Denny's 2008 Sprint Cup journey. I have ridden along for the highest highs, the lowest lows, the near misses and the scary parts. I must admit there have been tears shed, lots of screams, cheering and disappointments. But I wouldn't trade a single second of it. I love the thrill of the Chase, the pageantry of Daytona and the champagne showers in Victory Lane. And when D Ham walks away with his head hung down, he isn't alone because my head hangs right along with his.

That's what being a fan is. This sport is both challenging and thrilling and an all out war at times. You can't hold on to the past, you have to let it go. You're only as good as your last race and you can't change what was and ponder on what might of been any more. There is no looking back, you must keep looking straight ahead. Keep your eyes on the prize and remember that you love this racing thing and the fans make it all worth it. Well D Ham, I sure hope I do. We've got work to do so let's roll. Let's head to Martinsville Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore!

Denny Hamlin Never Got Chance To Play His Cards

Juan Pablo Montoya and Denny Hamlin couldn't say what might have happened if a caution hadn't short-circuited the final lap of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.
They did, however, agree on one thing.
"It was up to him," Montoya said as Hamlin walked in to join the postrace interviews.
Hamlin agreed, but he never got a chance to play that potentially decisive role when at least 12 cars piled up behind the leaders to force NASCAR to slow the field and allow Kyle Busch to keep from having to fend off what could have been one last challenge.
Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota had been strong all day. He led 37 laps, but dropped back after a restart on Lap 169 when he made a little mistake.
"I just got too far out there," Hamlin said. "The 12 and those guys just had a huge run. They were going to have to either slam into me or make a move to pass me."
Hamlin was talking about Ryan Newman's Dodge, and Newman did sweep past and led a freight train that dumped Hamlin well back in the pack.
But he fought his way back and was right behind Montoya after Busch blunted Jeff Gordon's bid to take the lead with just less than two laps to go.
Montoya - called "my savior all day" by Busch after he'd helped push the eventual winner back into contention after Busch rallied from a lap down - reacted to that move as well and was second. But that left him between a pair of Joe Gibbs Racing teammates and in need of help of his own to go forward.
It was help Montoya didn't expect to get.
"I don't think you can plan anything," said Montoya, who matched his best stock-car oval track finish with second. He was also runner-up at Indianapolis last year. "You depend so much on what people behind you do."
That left it to Hamlin, and it sounded afterward as if he did have a plan - or at least a hope - of what he might have done given the chance.
"I would have had some backlash if I had pushed Juan to a win," Hamlin said. "That's just part of it.
"If it wasn't a teammate I probably would have pushed Juan to the outside if the leader stayed on the inside because Juan and I really worked so well to stay together."
Even with Busch leading, Hamlin said he probably would have pushed Montoya up beside the leader on a final charge.
"If those two would have bogged each other down enough, I would try to get by for the win," Hamlin said. "If he stayed, I was going to have to stay on Kyle's bumper. But if he moved up to block, I was going to make a three-wide move."
Montoya said he was happy to get second. It’s the eighth straight race in which he's finished 20th or better but his first top 10 and top five of the year. It also moved him up to 12th in the points, a jump of five positions.

DAVID POOLE The Charlotte Observer

Denny Hamlin's Talladega Preview

FedEx Racing Express Facts - Talladega
Hot Streak Continues at Phoenix - Hamlin, FedEx Third: Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx team posted a third place finish at Phoenix International Raceway two weeks ago, a result that sees the team continue a streak of top-ten finishes that dates back to Bristol. On a night when fuel mileage ultimately decided the race, the FedEx team enacted a short-pit strategy they thought would put the #11 in victory lane at the end of the night. What they couldn't count on, however, was the cooperation of other teams. Two cars made it the distance without stopping as the laps counted down and those are the only two cars Hamlin didn't beat to the stripe. The third place finish, while slightly bittersweet, was the only call for the FedEx team and earned another good run for the group. Over the past four races, the team has recorded a win and is averaging better than a fourth-place finish while, most important, has jumped from 15th to sixth in the Cup standings.
FedEx Celebrating 35 Years at Talladega: While not as noticeable as the all-white #11 that took the track at Phoenix, the FedEx Toyota Camry will carry a decal marking a very special anniversary for FedEx. FedEx is celebrating thirty-five years of operation this month and the #11 team is proud to show their support for the anniversary.
"I have been fortunate to meet a great number of employees at FedEx, including a handful that have been there from the very beginning," said Hamlin. "It's a proud company with great people and there's no doubt the next 35 years will be as good as the first 35. I can speak for everyone on the #11 team and everyone at JGR when I say congratulations."
Hamlin at Talladega: This weekend will mark Hamlin's fifth start at Talladega and his 88th career NASCAR Sprint Cup start. A year ago Hamlin led 48 laps during the middle portion of the race, but as the action heated up and the cautions started flying, he was forced to pit for fuel and settle for a 21st place finish. After a string of three finishes just outside the top-20, Hamlin led 40 laps on his way to recording a fourth-place finish at Talladega last fall.

Talladega Superspeedway Chassis – 188 & 200: The #11 team is lowering chassis JGR 188 off the truck at Talladega this weekend. This car made its debut at Daytona this year, starting fourth and finishing 17th. Chassis 200 is the backup and is a new car from the JGR chassis shop.

HAMLIN CONVERSATION - TALLADEGA:
This team has clearly hit on something over the past couple weeks. Are you, or the team, consciously doing anything different?: "I think the fact that we aren't panicked or trying to change the way we approach races is what has helped us most. I think everyone wants to win so bad that it's easy to throw away the book and see if you can make some big changes but that is rarely the answer in this sport. I've had some of the guys who have been in the sport a lot longer than I have, guys that I look up to, tell me that luck always changes so don't let it get to you. Keep doing what you're doing and you'll eventually get the finishes you work for. That's started happening for us now, we're getting the finishes that really reflect just how good our cars have been and how good this team is."
Talladega is a different track since being repaved - last year we saw a lot of single-file racing. What is it like from the driver's perspective? "It's really smooth since they repaved and because of it I think you are seeing guys taking it a little easier until the end. There is some movement from front to back and vice versa but it’s mostly to see if you have the car to make those moves when the race is on the line. No one wants to be in the middle of the pack in case things go sideways and I think there is a tendency to want to be out front or in the back. Able to avoid any incidents. There is a point, and I experienced it first hand here last fall last year when I was leading, that everyone decides to go. It was a strange feeling being out front because I knew it was coming, it was just a matter of time. Then someone flipped a switch and it was standard Talladega racing to the finish."