Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing team took the long way to a 13th-place finish last weekend at Darlington.  Despite suffering handling issues and being involved in on-track incidents that left him a lap down for much of the race, perseverance behind the wheel and on pit road saw Hamlin methodically make up ground as the laps counted down.  The 13th place finish sees him drop one place to fifth in the standings heading into the All-Star weekend.


Hamlin at All-Star Weekend

This will be Hamlin’s fourth appearance at NASCAR’s All-Star Weekend and he'll compete in the All-Star Challenge by virtue of his win at Martinsville in the spring of 2008.  Hamlin led seven laps last year and led the race in the final segment when his engine expired with only 14 laps to run.  Hamlin made his first All-Star race appearance in 2007 and had the #11 FedEx machine running well before a lap 63 incident with Casey Mears cut the night short.  As a rookie in the 2006 NEXTEL Open, Hamlin started second on the grid and led one lap before finishing fourth and missing a spot in the Nextel All-Star Challenge.


Omaha Along for the Ride at All-Star

The #11 FedEx Express Camry will feature “OMA” on the wing caps this weekend for the All-Star Race.  OMA is the code for the FedEx Express ramp and market in Omaha (Neb.) that is being recognized for their exceptional on-time performance to support operations and enhance the customer experience.


Sprint All-Star Weekend Chassis – JGR 196 & 232

The #11 FedEx team will unload JGR 196 for the All-Star festivities this weekend in Charlotte.  This car posted a 13th-place finish at Atlanta in 2009 and top-ten runs at Pocono and Darlington in 2008.  232 will serve as backup and has yet to make a Cup start.


HAMLIN CONVERSATION – SPRINT ALL-STAR WEEKEND


Pride not points - How do you approach this weekend?

"There is definitely a lot of pride at stake in this race.  This race is a tradition in this sport and the fans have continued to embrace it over the years so it keeps growing and growing. I think everyone wants to add their name to the list of drivers who have won this because we all grew up watching this race.  I know I did and it was a race that I never missed watching so to have the chance to participate has been cool, but to win it would be that much better.  We had a chance last year.  We were in the lead in that last segment when our engine went and it was a terrible feeling to have that opportunity slip away.  Coming back this season, it makes us want that win even more. Even though you aren’t racing for points, and this race doesn’t affect standings or the Chase or any of that, winning this race means a lot so you’ll see the teams doing whatever they can to get that win.” 


What is unique about the All-Star Event?

“I really like that this event, while still competitive for the teams, the crews and the over-the-wall guys, gives the teams a chance to stick close to home for a couple of weeks.  You’ll see a lot of friends and family around the track through the weekend and this event makes that possible – it’s a chance for the teams to spend some time at home before we start a long summer haul.  On the track we have a format change that I think is really going to improve the event.  With the ten lap segment and a double file restart at the end I think the fans will see a really tight race and it should get pretty wild at the end and that’s a good thing.  This race is famous for last-lap battles and close finishes – I think you’ll see that this year.”