Denny Hamlin
#20 Chevrolet
| Event: | Bashas' Supermarkets 200 | Date: | April 20, 2007 |
| Track: | Phoenix International Raceway | TV: | ESPN2 9:30 PM ET |
| Laps/Miles: | 200 / 200 | Radio: | MRN 9:00 PM ET |
Quotes
Driver Denny Hamlin on racing at Phoenix…
"Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit. Then you add in that we get to race under the lights on a Friday evening and it reminds me of the old days in Chesterfield (VA). I really enjoy the flat tracks but what is great about Phoenix is there are a couple lines around the track which allow you passing zones. Track position is a premium so the pressure will be on the pit crew to give us good stops and protect our position.
One of the challenges I am facing this week is this will be the first race that I am jumping between the COT in the Cup Garage and my Busch Car. In the past the cars were different but similar. Now the cars are way different so I just have to trust the crew chiefs to take my feedback and make changes and not try to remember what works on one side probably won't work on the other. I think it is going to take a different mindset this weekend."
Crew Chief Dave Rogers on racing at Phoenix…
"If you believe in the theory of ‘Things happening in threes’ then we should be in line for a great weekend. A couple weeks ago we had a great test with Denny and learned a lot to improve our short track program. Then last week, we had a great car and had a shot at the race win. Denny is great on short tracks, so I think things are stacked in our favor."
Notes
Denny Hamlin at Phoenix — Phoenix has been one Hamlin's favorite tracks on the NASCAR circuit. Several of his personal accomplishments include: First Career Nextel Cup Pole (Nov 2005) which allowed entrance into the Budweiser Shootout that he won the following season. First green flag laps led during a race (April 2005 – Hamlin led laps at Nashville but under caution). Best start of 2005 Busch Season (2nd – Nov 2005). Finished 3rd in both November races of 2006.
Car History — This week the #20 team is bringing car #2045. One of Hamlin's favorite short track cars, he drove this chassis to the pole at ORP (Indy) in last August's race. The best finish of this car was last July at Martinsville where Aric Almirola qualified the car 3rd and Hamlin drove from the rear of the field to 3rd place. This car has an updated body for the 2007 season and participated in the test at Richmond in March.
