Friday, May 2, 2014

Does strong Daytona transfer to Talladega for Denny Hamlin?

Denny Hamlin is 12/1 to win at Talladega Sunday
Event: Aaron’s 499
Date/Time: May 4/12 p.m. CT
2013 winner: David Ragan
2013 polesitter: Carl Edwards
Distance: 188 laps/500 miles
Track Length: 2.66 miles
Banking: 33 degrees
Track Shape: Tri-Oval

EXPRESS NOTES:


Fans First for FedEx 400: Race fans have the opportunity to “ride along” with Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Freight/Autism Speaks Toyota for the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover on June 1. For a minimum $11 donation to Autism Speaks by this Sunday, May 4, fans can get their names on the special #11 paint scheme at the ‘Monster Mile,’ while helping a great cause. Space is limited so for more information, visit www.fedexracing.com/fedex400.

300th Start for Hamlin: Hamlin will make his 300th career Sprint Cup Series start this Sunday at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in the #11 FedEx Express Toyota. In 16 previous races at Talladega, Hamlin has recorded five top-10 finishes and has led 204 career laps at the 2.66-mile high-banked oval. He finished second in the first restrictor plate race of the season this year, the season-opening Daytona 500.

Richmond Recap: Hamlin finished 22nd in Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Speedway after contact from behind while battling in the top-10 with less than 30 laps to go caused the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota to spin and lose valuable track position. Hamlin was forced three-wide in Turn 2 on a late-race restart at the three-quarter-mile oval, and jostled for position down the backstretch. Heading into Turn 3, the cars bottled up and Hamlin was tapped from behind and sent spinning to bring out another caution. After a pit stop under the race’s final caution, Hamlin took the checkered flag in 22nd in the event won by Joey Logano. After starting 28th, he quickly worked into the top-20, while changes called by crew chief Darian Grubb helped with the car’s handling, and quick pit stops by the FedEx crew gained him more spots. He managed to work into the top-five with less than 100 laps to go, and was lined up eighth on the restart before the incident.

FedEx Office – Closest to Talladega Superspeedway: 117 Resource Center Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35242, (205) 981-0077

Mobile, Ala., Along for the Ride in Talladega: The FedEx Air Ground and Freight Services operations team in Mobile, Ala., will be recognized for operational excellence with its “BFM” code letters on the b-post of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

HAMLIN CONVERSATION – TALLADEGA:

Do you expect to have another strong restrictor plate package after the team’s success in Daytona?

“We certainly had a strong SpeedWeeks, with wins in the Sprint Unlimited and our Duel race, and backed it up with a second-place finish in the (Daytona) 500. Hopefully we can be that competitive again this weekend and run up front. These restrictor plate races come down to a lot of circumstances and luck, but the plan is to keep the FedEx Camry up front throughout the day, stay out of trouble, and be there at the end.”

 
          2014 FEDEX RACING TEAM – SEASON RESULTS
DATEEVENTLOCATIONSTARTFINISHLAPSSTATUSWINNINGSLEDPTSTREND
Feb. 23Daytona 500Daytona42200/200Running$1,148,451162nd
March 2The Profit on CNBC 500Phoenix1219312/312Running$87,4808th
March 9Kobalt Tools 400Las Vegas2712267/267Running$121,41018th
March 16Food City 500Bristol16500/500Running$116,86547th
March 23Auto Club 500Fontana*1317202/202Running$107,41011th
March 30STP 500Martinsville219500/500Running$94,47512th
April 7Duck Commander 500Texas613340/340Running$137,7702013th
April 12Bojangles’ Southern 500Darlington1019374/374Running$101,905315th
April 26Toyota Owners 400Richmond2822400/400Running$88.89014th
Averages/Totals11.214.0100%$1,897,24644
Driver: Sam Hornish Jr.

- Weber Shandwick Worldwide for FedEx Racing

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