Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing team scored a hard-fought 12th-place finish at Texas two week ago, battling handling issues for much of the race but still managing to achieve their highest position by the time the checkered flag came out.  Hamlin started from the 22nd spot on the grid and methodically worked his way forward throughout.  The result sees Hamlin drop one spot to sixth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings heading to Phoenix.

Hamlin, FedEx Racing Marching for Babies in Phoenix

The #11 FedEx Toyota Camry will sport an unfamiliar paint scheme this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.  Instead of the nearly all-black paint that Hamlin has driven to sixth place in the Cup standings, the FedEx team will unload a white and purple #11 FedEx Office/March for Babies Toyota this weekend – all in the name of charity.  For the second consecutive year, Hamlin and team are raising awareness for the March for Babies – the March of Dimes’ largest annual fundraiser.  Hamlin also will wear a helmet designed by Bernard “Sonny” VanBuskirk.  Sonny is the son of FedEx Express employee Bernard VanBuskirk and was born seven weeks premature in 1998.  Eleven years later, Sonny is a healthy, vibrant boy due to the March of Dimes and the medical care he received.  VanBuskirk designed the helmet and his work was transferred on to the official race helmet by renowned helmet designer Jason Beam.

Hamlin at Phoenix International Raceway

This weekend will mark Hamlin's eighth start at Phoenix International and his 123rd career start at the Cup level.  Despite not having a win at PIR, Hamlin and the #11 team have performed very well, posting three top-three finishes to date.  Last fall, Hamlin continued a string of good runs at PIR – a self proclaimed favorite track – by posting a fifth-place finish.  In the spring race of 2008, Hamlin and the #11 team looked to have nailed their fuel strategy and ran in third place after their last stop on lap 296 only to watch the cars running in first and second stretch their fuel loads to the end.  In the fall 2007 event, Hamlin suffered through an agonizing race that included two pit-road speeding penalties on his way to a 16th-place finish.  Earlier that season, Hamlin led 70 laps and was well on his way to challenging for a win before a pit road speeding penalty sent him to the tail end of the field.  Despite working his way back, he had to settle for a frustrating third-place finish.  Hamlin made his debut at PIR in the fall of 2005 in only his sixth career Cup start and secured his first career pole before finishing 13th on the night.

FedEx Office Store #2149 “Along for the Ride” in Phoenix

In recognition of their outstanding commitment to customer service, FedEx Office store #2149, located in Durham, NC will be featured on the wing cap of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. 

Phoenix International Raceway Chassis – JGR 214 & 204

The #11 FedEx team will unload JGR 214 this weekend at Phoenix.  This car has made four previous Cup starts, posting top-ten finishes in 2008 (New Hampshire and Martinsville). JGR 204 will serve as the backup this weekend.  This car posted a third-place finish in Atlanta in the fall of 2008.

Hamlin Conversation – Phoenix International Raceway 

Special car, special helmet – can you replicate the success you had in the March of Dimes car here last season?

“The goal is definitely to do as well or better this time around.  We ran third here in the March for Babies Toyota last season and we want to improve on that – not only because we want to win but it also reminds people about the March of Dimes and that’s really important.  We’re doing our best to help them raise awareness and raise money through the March for Babies. It’s a great cause and a great organization that FedEx and the FedEx employees have supported for years.  This whole #11 team is happy to have them as a part of the team this weekend.”

Phoenix is among your favorite tracks –Why is that?

“It’s a great track, a unique track.  We always seem to run well on the more unique tracks.  This one works well for us because it’s shorter and the lack of banking allows us to set up a car that fits my style.  We have performed well here in the past.  It’s certainly a track where we feel we should have a win and where we’ve had great cars.  We’ve come close a couple of times, but we’ve also had some issues that kept us from contention at the end.   Phoenix is always an opportunity for this team and we have high expectations.”