Chase Woes Continue for Hamlin, FedEx Racing in Charlotte


Like they did a week ago in California, Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing team led laps, dominated the race at points and put the field on notice that they would absolutely, positively be challenging for the win at the end of the night.  However, and unfortunately just as it did one a week earlier, the #11 FedEx Toyota ended up on the transporter before the race was over.


Saturday’s crushing blow to the #11 team came at the hands of engine part failure that forced Hamlin from the race on lap 192.  In the garage, the team diagnosed the issue as a broken valve and worked to repair the problem but ultimately decided to park the car, believing the engine may not make the end of the race.


Hamlin would eventually be credited with a 42nd place finish and a second-consecutive DNF – the third of the 2009 season and only the eighth of his career. The result sees him slip to 11th in the Chase standings – 372 points out of first place.


“It’s just a tough night for everyone at FedEx,” said Hamlin.  “We’ve just had a rough couple weeks, you know.  I made a mistake last week and it cost us and this week, just a parts failure.  It’s the best I’ve ever ran at this race track and I felt like we had a shot to win it.  I was being so patient behind those guys, not trying to push it and not show everything I had until the very end.  Mike (Ford, crew chief) and the guys did a great job providing me a race-winning car.  We just didn’t have it all put together today.  I couldn’t be prouder.  We’re in contention to win every single one of these races, and just can’t get it all together.  Once we figure it out, we’ll be all right.”


Jimmie Johnson, the Chase for the Sprint Cup points leader heading into Charlotte, built on that margin by leading 92 laps and recording his third win of the ten-race shootout.  Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon and Joey Logano filled out the top five while Logano and Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate finished eighth.


“That’s what’s tough about this points system.  You can run your tail off for 24 weeks and it just doesn’t matter.  You’re going to base all your performance off of 10 weeks, and one bad week, especially the way those other guys are performing -- if you could just step it up the last 10, like (they do).  If you have one bad week, you know, whether because of a driver mistake or a parts failure, you’re done.  Your season’s over with.  That part of it is frustrating.”


Hamlin started the FedEx Office Toyota from the 17th spot on the grid Saturday night knowing he had his work cut out for him but brimming with confidence following stellar practices on Saturday afternoon.


As the green dropped, Hamlin put patience above all else as he was determined to show only the strength of the car and the savvy of the driver.  The first caution of the night flew almost immediately as the cold weather, and cold tires, sent the #77 of Sam Hornish spinning on lap four.


Another quick caution on lap ten slowed the race but the lack of laps turned left pit road quiet.  On the radio Hamlin told the team he was happy with the car, just slightly free but unconcerned.


Hamlin restarted 16th on lap 14 and then set sail on an impressive 20-lap run that saw him charge all the way into sixth place - picking off Kenseth, Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Newman in the process.


With the caution out for light rain on lap 36, Hamlin pulled the #11 Toyota onto pit road for four tires, fuel and a chance for the crew to add some tape to the nose of the car.  Hamlin restarted sixth on lap 40, moved into the top-five on lap 44 and then into the top two when he caught and passed Kenseth again on lap 55.


With Johnson checked out at the point, Hamlin methodically carved into the lead and he caught and then passed the #48 Chevrolet on lap 71.  Hamlin enjoyed the clean air out front and the chassis below responded as well, allowing the driver to open a comfortable lead.


The field reached their respective fuel windows and Hamlin waited until lap 94 to pull the FedEx Toyota onto pit road after leading 23 laps.  The team worked quick, changing four tires, and filling the car with fuel before sending Hamlin out to rejoin the field.  Hamlin cycled through on the bumper of Kenseth but wasted little time in retaking the lead on lap 99.


Hamlin built a four-second lead at the front of the field and both the driver and the crew in the FedEx pit stall took a patient approach to the race - keeping the car competitive in the short run but making sure they had it right where they wanted it for the end of the 500-mile race.


The fourth caution flag of the night flew on lap 121 when Busch spun in turn four and Hamlin led a parade of competitors onto pit road.  The team worked quick to change four tires, fill the #11 with fuel and make both wedge and air pressure adjustments before sending Hamlin out in the lead.  He brought the field to the green flag on lap 123.


After surrendering the lead to Gordon, Hamlin dropped to fourth place by lap 126 but calmly explained to crew chief Mike Ford that he was happy with the car and confident he could get back to the front but he was not going to force the issue so early in the race.


He did, however, begin to move forward, taking third place from Newman on lap 127 and then passing Greg Biffle for second place on lap 130.


When Montoya spun on lap 163 to bring out the caution flag, Hamlin radioed the crew he was just a little tight rolling through the center of the turns as he followed Gordon onto pit road for changes.  Crew Chief Mike Ford called for four tires, fuel and a slight wedge adjustment and once again the team was quick on pit road, sending Hamlin out to restart in the lead.


By lap 178 Hamlin had backed up to third place where he trailed only Gordon and Kenseth but the caution flag flew only 12 laps later and once again the field hit pit road.  This proved to be the last action of the evening for the FedEx team as Hamlin radioed upon exiting pit road that he was suffering problems with the engine.


On pit road the team walked through the protocol of switching ignition boxes and batteries, but it became clear the problem was much more serious and Ford told Hamlin to drive the car to the garage.  With the hood up and the crew working to diagnose and fix the problem the race continued in the background.  Despite locating the problem and restarting the car, the team was ultimately forced to make a very tough decision.  Not confident the part would make the remainder of the race and not wanting to risk the safety of Hamlin or any of the other competitors should the engine let go, they decided take the car back to the #11 transporter .


The Sprint Cup Series continues next Sunday afternoon when the teams visit Martinsville Speedway in Hamlin’s home state of Virginia.