Becca's Denny Hamlin Blog: Auto Club Speedway

Showing posts with label Auto Club Speedway. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2009

Is It Just Me Or....

Is the lack of testing hurting the men I love to cheer and boo from the East Coast to the West Coast and all points between?

Last night's Auto Club 500 was the most uneventful race I have seen in quite a long day. I hate crashes, especially when it involves my Fed Ex Toyota but seeing Kevin Harvick crash into the wall and end his streak of races without a DNF was the highlight of the 250 lap event. Every other caution was for rain drops, threatening to shorten yet another race. Thankfully the rain let up and we got to see all of the scheduled laps.

I grew tired of follow the leader a number of years ago and when the leader hails out of the Hendrick camp or is defending series Champion Jimmie Johnson I totally lose interest. I'm over it and ready to see someone else lead and win something. Which is why I am thrilled for Matt Kenseth's 2 for 2 streak he's got going on.

I'm a die-hard Joe Gibbs Racing fan, I want one of my three Toyotas up front, preferably Denny Hamlin every race for every lap. But if that can't happen I'll root for the Roush boys any day. They are all class acts who are talented beyond belief. Their owner may leave a little to be desired but he knows how to get it done. And Kenseth has shown that flashy isn't always the way to get attention.

Denny Hamlin had an impressive sixth place finish, jumping up 13 spots to 14th, just 150 points back of the leader and a mere 13 points out of the top 12 coveted spots to make it into the Chase. Quite a turn around from last week's Daytona 500 crash.

Amazing pit stops, great hustle and a never quit attitude by driver Denny Hamlin showed that the Fed Ex Freight Toyota could hang with the big boys. The real season starts when the haulers roll into Fontana and when Hamlin made his way out on the track he proved that he was ready to race.

The Fed Ex Racing crew heads for the bright lights of Las Vegas this weekend. High roller Hamlin, who proved he had luck on his side with his friendly wagers at the Bud Shootout Selection Show among his Toyota comrades, will be hoping to charm lady luck and attempt to bring home a trophy from the land of the rising son. Sounds appropriate doesn't it?

Sunday, February 22, 2009

NASCAR Sprint Cup Point Standings ~ As of Auto Club 500

The Unofficial Point Standings after the Auto Club 500
~Race 2 of 36 ~ Will be updated as soon as official points are posted

(--) Matt Kenseth 385 Leader
(+10) Jeff Gordon 304 -81
(-8) Kurt Busch 294 -91
(+3) Tony Stewart 294 -91
(+15) Greg Biffle 268 -117
(-2) Clint Bowyer 266 -119
(+1) Michael Waltrip 264 -121
(-2) David Ragan 262 -123
(+9) Carl Edwards 260 -125
(+4) Juan Montoya 256 -129
(-6) Elliott Sadler 248 -137
(+1) David Reutimann 248 -137
(-10) AJ Allmendinger 241 -144
(-6) Reed Sorenson 235 -150
(+12) Denny Hamlin 235 -150
(-14) Kevin Harvick 219 -166
(-7) Martin Truex Jr 217 -168
(+20) Kyle Busch 215 -170
(+12) Jimmie Johnson 213 -172
(-4) Casey Mears 209 -176
(-4) Marcos Ambrose 212 -173
(-1) Bobby Labonte 205 -180
(+6) Kasey Kahne 203 -182
(+9) David Stremme 193 -192
(-6) John Andretti 181 -204
(+14) Brian Vickers 180 -205
(-12) Mark Martin 168 -217
(+9) Jamie McMurray 167 -218
(+3) Sam Hornish Jr 161 -224
(+12) Travis Kvapil 146 -239
(-3) Jeff Burton 146 -239
(-7) Scott Riggs 143 -242
(+3) Ryan Newman 134 -251
(--) Robby Gordon 134 -251
(-9) Dale Earnhardt Jr 133 -252
(-6) Aric Almirola 131 -254
(+6) Joey Logano 119 -266
(+3) Jeremy Mayfield 104 -281
(--) Paul Menard 101 -284
(-18) Regan Smith 100 -285
(-6) Scott Speed 98 -287
(-19) Bill Elliott 94 -291
(-19) Terry Labonte 91 -294
(--) David Gilliland 64 -321
(--) Dave Blaney 37 -348
(-2) Joe Nemechek 34 -351

Auto Club 500 - Results

The Official results for the Auto Club 500
~ Auto Club Speedway ~ Fontana, California
Race 2 of 36

17 Matt Kenseth
24 Jeff Gordon
18 Kyle Busch
16 Greg Biffle
2 Kurt Busch
11 Denny Hamlin
99 Carl Edwards
14 Tony Stewart
48 Jimmie Johnson
83 Brian Vickers
42 Juan Montoya
9 Kasey Kahne
12 David Stremme
00 David Reutimann
55 Michael Waltrip
26 Jamie McMuray
6 David Ragan -1
28 Travis Kvapil 1
33 Clint Bowyer -1
96 Bobby Labonte -1
47 Marcos Ambrose -1
43 Reed Sorenson -1
77 Sam Hornish Jr -1
07 Casey Mears -1
19 Elliott Sadler -1
20 Joey Logano -1
1 Martin Truex Jr -1
39 Ryan Newman -2
44 AJ Allmendinger -2
7 Robby Gordon -2
34 John Andretti -2
31 Jeff Burton -3
71 David Gilliland -4
41 Jeremy Mayfield -5
8 Aric Almirola ~ Engine
36 Scott Riggs -10
98 Paul Menard -29
29 Kevin Harvick ~ Accident
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr ~ Engine
5 Mark Martin ~ Engine
82 Scott Speed ~ Engine
Dave Blaney ~ Fuel Pump
87 Joe Nemechek ~ Fuel Pump

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Final Practice Speeds ~ Auto Club 500 ~ Auto Club Speedway

The Final Practice Speeds for the Auto Club 500 ~ Sunday Feb. 22, 2009 ~ Fontana, CA

48 Jimmie Johnson -- 179.582
11 Denny Hamlin -- 178.280
26 Jamie McMurray -- 178.055
5 Mark Martin -- 177.567
16 Greg Biffle -- 177.445
24 Jeff Gordon -- 176.978
2 Kurt Busch -- 176.865
77 Sam Hornish Jr -- 176.826
17 Matt Kenseth -- 176.800
42 Juan Montonya -- 176.709
18 Kyle Busch -- 176.561
6 David Ragan -- 176.345
99 Carl Edwards -- 176.311
29 Kevin Harvick -- 176.039
00 David Reutimann -- 175.906
47 Marcos Ambrose -- 175.803
98 Paul Menard -- 175.764
31 Jeff Burton -- 175.751
83 Brian Vickers -- 175.627
14 Tony Stewart -- 175.584
39 Ryan Newman -- 175.507
33 Clint Bowyer -- 175.366
1 Martin Truex Jr -- 175.340
36 Scott Riggs -- 175.302
12 David Stremme -- 175.225
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr -- 175.182
20 Joey Logano -- 175.123
55 Michael Waltrip -- 174.783
7 Robby Gordon -- 174.723
07 Casey Mears -- 174.689
8 Aric Almirola -- 174.605
28 Travis Kvapil -- 174.600
9 Kasey Kahne -- 174.545
96 Bobby Labonte -- 174.431
44 AJ Allmendinger -- 174.372
87 Joe Nemechek -- 174.364
82 Scott Speed -- 174.199
71 David Gilliland -- 173.691
43 Reed Sorenson -- 173.557
41 Jeremy Mayfield -- 173.490
19 Elliott Sadler -- 173.285
34 John Andretti -- 173.281
66 Dave Blaney -- 172.961

Friday, February 20, 2009

Auto Club 500 Starting Lineup

The Official Starting Lineup for the Auto Club 500 - Auto Club Speedway - Fontana, CA
Race 2 of 36 ~ Sunday Feb. 22, 2009 ~ Pre-Race 5 PM~ Race 6 PM on FOX

Note: Pole Sitter Brian Vickers No. 83 Red Bull Toyota had to change an engine after qualifying and will have to drop to the rear of the field for the Auto Club 500

83 Brian Vickers
48 Jimmie Johnson
26 Jamie McMurray
2 Kurt Busch
16 Greg Biffle
24 Jeff Gordon
00 David Reutimann
44 AJ Allmendinger
82 Scott Speed
18 Kyle Busch
14 Tony Stewart
7 Robby Gordon
6 David Ragan
47 Marcos Ambrose
42 Juan Montoya
96 Bobby Labonte
43 Reed Sorenson
5 Mark Martin
29 Kevin Harvick
19 Elliott Sadler
33 Clint Bowyer
9 Kasey Kahne
11 Denny Hamlin
17 Matt Kenseth
99 Carl Edwards
77 Sam Hornish Jr
98 Paul Menard
39 Ryan Newman
07 Casey Mears
66 Dave Blaney
8 Aric Almirola
71 David Gilliland
1 Martin Truex Jr
20 Joey Logano
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
36 Scott Riggs
28 Travis Kvapil
12 David Stremme
41 Jeremy Mayfield
34 John Andretti
31 Jeff Burton
55 Michael Waltrip
87 Joe Nemechek

Practice Speeds - Practice 1 Auto Club 500

Practice Speeds from Practice 1 - Auto Club Speedway

48 Jimmie Johnson - 181. 892 -- 39.584 (Leader)
24 Jeff Gordon - 180.873 -- 39.807 (-0.223)
16 Greg Biffle - 180.696 -- 39.846 (-0.262)
00 David Reutimann - 180.569 -- (-0.290)
39 Ryan Newman - 180.365 -- (-0.335)
11 Denny Hamlin - 180.298 -- (-0.350)
42 Juan Montoya - 180.298 -- (-0.352)
83 Brian Vickers - 180.261 -- (-0.358)
43 Reed Sorenson - 180.081 -- 39.982 (-0.398)
99 Carl Edwards - 179.874 -- 40.028 (-0.444)
5 Mark Martin - 179.861 -- 40.031 (-0.447)
18 Kyle Busch - 179.717 -- 40.063 (-0.479)
7 Robby Gordon - 179.861 -- 40.071 (-0.487)
8 Aric Almirola -179.677 -- 40.072 (-0.488)
28 Travis Kvapil -179.547 -- 40.101 (0.517)
44 AJ Allmendinger - 179.524 -- 40.106 (-0.522)
14 Tony Stewart - 179.506 -- 40.110 (-0.526)
96 Bobby Labonte - 179.381 -- 40.138 (-0.554)
82 Scott Speed - 179.131 -- 40.194 (-0.610)
9 Kasey Kahne - 178.940 -- 40.237 (-0.653
19 Elliott Sadler - 178.798 -- 40.269 (-0.685)
1 Martin Truex Jr - 178.758 -- 40.278 (-0.694)
29 Kevin Harvick - 178.713 -- 40.288 (-0.704)
98 Paul Menard - 178.633 --40.306 (-0.722)
2 Kurt Busch - 178.368 -- 40.366 (-0.782)
66 Dave Blaney - 178.337 -- 40.373 (-0.789)
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr - 178.328 -- 40.375 (-0.791)
47 Marcos Ambrose - 178.258 -- 40.391 (-0.807)
12 David Stremme - 178.121 -- 40.422 (-0.838)
77 Sam Hornish Jr - 177.692 -- 40.458 (-0.874)
26 Jamie McMurray - 177.835 -- 40.487 (-0.838)
07 Casey Mears - 177.817 -- 40.491 (0.907)
34 John Andretti - 177.756 -- 40.505 (0.921)
17 Matt Kenseth - 177.541 -- 40.554 (-0.970)
6 David Ragan - 177.414 -- 40.583 (-0.999)
71 David Gilliland - 177.340 -- 40.600 (-1.016)
31 Jeff Burton - 177.314 -- 40.606 (-1.022)
55 Michael Waltrip - 177.170 -- 40.639 (-1.055)
33 Clint Bowyer - 176.848 -- 40.716 (-1.129)
41 Jeremy Mayfield - 176.748 -- 40.736 (-1.152)
87 Joe Nemechek - 176.743 -- 40.737 (-1.153)
36 Scott Riggs - 177.340 -- 40.739 (-1.155)
20 Joey Logano - 175.730 -- 40.972 (-1.388)
37 Tony Raines - 174.461 -- 41.270 (-1.686)
64 Todd Bodine - 174.300 -- 41.308 (-1.724)
09 Sterling Marlin - 172.542 -- 41.729 (-2.145)
73 Mike Garvey - 170.867 -- 42.138 (-2.554)
51 David Starr - 170.052 -- 42.340 (-2.756)

Auto Club 500 - Qualifying Order

The Qualifying Order for today's time trials, airing at 6:30 PM on SPEED.

18 Kyle Busch
7 Robby Gordon
34 John Andretti
83 Brian Vickers
88 Dale Earnhardt Jr
20 Joey Logano
96 Bobby Labonte
39 Ryan Newman
99 Carl Edwards
1 Martin Truex Jr
82 Scott Speed
47 Marcos Ambrose
16 Greg Biffle
00 David Reutimann
12 David Stremme
6 David Ragan
98 Paul Menard
8 Aric Almirola
24 Jeff Gordon
07 Casey Mears
11 Denny Hamlin
19 Elliott Sadler
17 Matt Kenseth
55 Michael Waltrip
48 Jimmie Johnson
43 Reed Sorenson
26 Jamie McMurray
29 Kevin Harvick
9 Kasey Kahne
2 Kurt Busch
33 Clint Bowyer
31 Jeff Burton
5 Mark Martin
77 Sam Hornish Jr
42 Juan Pablo Montoya
41 Jeremy Mayfield
14 Tony Stewart
71 David Gilliland
73 Mike Garvey
64 Todd Bodine
87 Joe Nemechek
51 David Starr
36 Scott Riggs
66 Dave Blaney
37 Tony Raines
44 AJ Allmendinger
28 Travis Kvapil
09 Sterling Marlin

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Auto Club 500 - Fontana TV Schedule

Sprint Cup Practice - Friday Feb. 20 3 PM SPEED

Sprint Cup Qualifying - Friday Feb. 20 6:30 PM SPEED

Sprint Cup Final Practice - Saturday Feb. 21 5 PM SPEED

AUTO CLUB 500 - Fontana, CA (Race 2 of 36)
Sunday Feb. 22 - 5 PM FOX

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

California Dreaming

With the string of bad luck Denny Hamlin has been having, he was praying he made it out of Fontana without having more of the same that has been plaguing him. He qualified 21st for the Pepsi 500, not bad considering he wasn't the only Chase contender scattered throughout the field.

When the green flag waved, Hamlin quickly made his way through traffic to the front. During race commentary, the announcers mentioned that JD Gibbs had talked to Denny about showing emotion without criticizing the team. Then there was a replay of Denny's in-car audio following a pit stop. He praised the Fed Ex crew for their superior pit stop and promised that if they continued to give him pitstops like that...he would give them everything he had.

He held true to his promise, as always and Mike Ford and the Fed Ex team got everything their driver had in his arsenal. He drove his heart out and when he climbed out of the race car his smile was blinding. He seemed to float on air and was beyond happy with his team's performance. It's amazing how happy a driver can be when things go right.

The growth and maturity shown by D Ham and the team is evident. Not only in the interviews, in-car audio between driver and crew but also in their on-track performance. They are performing like a team that has gelled and that is on fire. Or, as I prefer, en fuego. There's no better way to describe the #11 team that En Fuego lately. Hamlin posted his second third place finish in a row at Auto Club Speedway. Serving notice to anyone watching that he's not going down without a fight. Oh..but he's not going down. He's on his way up!

Going into Richmond this weekend, this unstoppable hurricane will have to continue their determined fight to lock in a spot in the Chase for the third year in a row. Barring any unforseen fortune, the Fed Ex boys will be sitting in 6th place after the field is reset for the Chase showdown. While Hamlin may be a little too far back to beat teammate Kyle Busch at this point, the other guys had best look out. Something about going back home where friends and family give added support in stressful times, Hamlin will be hard to stop. Forget Hurricane Hanna. Try your luck to outrun Hurrican Hamlin.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

FedEx Racing Express Facts - California

RACE INFO:

Event: Pepsi 500

Date/Time: Aug. 31, 2008/8 p.m. EST

Length: 2.0 miles

Shape: Oval

Banking: 14 Degrees

Distance: 250 laps/500 miles

2007 winner: Jimmie Johnson

2007 pole winner: Kurt Busch

EXPRESS NOTES:
Bristol in the Rear View: Denny Hamlin brought the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota home in third place on Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, putting an end to a tumultuous week and, by virtue of a good run, edging ever closer to a spot in the 2008 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Bristol lived up to its reputation for hard racing but Hamlin and the team wouldn't be denied, fighting through the field after qualifying 21st. With a third place finish, his best since claiming the third spot at Indianapolis Motor Speedway five weeks ago, Hamlin climbs from 12th to 11th in NASCAR Sprint Cup points with just two races left before the Chase cutoff. He currently sits 45 points in front of Clint Bowyer who holds down the 12th and final Chase contender spot.

Hamlin, FedEx Delivering Hybrid Prius in Los Angeles: As part of the 2008 FedEx Racing "Deliver the Drive" program, Denny Hamlin and FedEx will visit the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank on Thursday, Aug. 28 to donate a Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle. The Foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organization and is one of the largest food banks in the United States - supplying enough food for over 500,000 meals each week in Los Angeles County. Hamlin will join a team of Los Angeles-area FedEx employees for a shift in the volunteer kitchen prior to the presentation of the fuel-efficient vehicle. The donation marks the third of four Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles that FedEx is donating throughout the course of the 2008 season. Previous Prius donations have been made in Boston and Indianapolis. (For event information, please contact Jon Mason)

Hamlin at Auto Club Speedway: This weekend will mark Hamlin's sixth career Cup start at the two-mile track in Fontana. On his most recent visit, Hamlin was forced from the Monday-afternoon race early when he hit water seeping through the track on lap 15 of the event and was sent sailing into the turn two wall. Despite making considerable repairs, the damage was done and Hamlin was scored in 41st place. In the fall 2007 race a cut tire under caution late in the race spoiled what was otherwise a promising day for the FedEx team and led to a 19th-place finish. Last February, Hamlin had a very competitive car and ran as high as third place before handling issues caused him to fade late in the race and take the checkered in 11th. In two other starts, Hamlin has posted finishes of 6th and 12th.

Auto Club – JGR 222 & 196: The FedEx team will unload Chassis JGR 222 this weekend at California. This is a new car from the Joe Gibbs Racing stable and this weekend will mark its first start. JGR 196 will serve as the back up and has made four starts this season.

HAMLIN CONVERSATION - AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY:
A top-three finish in Bristol gets you pointed in the right direction again: "Well, the edge isn't off but it felt good to go out there and have a good race - especially at Bristol where we've had trouble finishing and on the heels of a tough race at Michigan. The other teams we are racing for the top-12 all fared well so it doesn't change our outlook at all - we need to go to California and put together another really strong race. California is another opportunity to gain points but we are prepared to go to Richmond with everything on the line. Hopefully we'll be in good shape by then but I can't think of a better track to go to knowing we have to put up a good performance. For this FedEx team, it seems like we run well one week, then struggle the next and that up and down has kept us right on the edge. We need to put some consistent finishes together because that up and down is a tough way through to go through a season - or in our case the second half of the season. The way we see it, the good runs reflect how good we are, and that makes the bad runs that much harder to take and increases our frustration even more. The Chase is so tight that there really isn't room for error anymore - but the Chase also rewards consistency and gives any team that gets on a roll the chance to make some noise. We feel like we can be that team if we get back to running as well as we know we can."

Joey Logano was named the driver of the #20 car this week, are you looking forward to having him as a teammate next season?: "Yes. I am happy for Joey and for everyone at Home Depot and JGR. We all know how talented he is and that he has a bright future ahead of him - I have been fortunate to race with him a couple of times but also talk to the test team at JGR and hear them talk about how good he is and how mature he is on the track. I think Kyle and I are both looking forward to working with him and making this JGR team as strong as possible."

Joe Gibbs Racing.com