Hamlin returns to his native Virginia this week to defend his title in Martinsville Speedway’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500. This is his fourth full season at NASCAR’s top level, and he made the Chase in each of the first three. The highlight was 2006, when Hamlin finished third in the standings during his rookie season.
Second place at Bristol was, in Hamlin’s words, “somewhat of a redemption, but we feel like we deserve to be in victory lane and hopefully we’ll get that done next week.”
“I’d treat him as if he wasn’t a teammate, actually,” admitted Hamlin. “I wouldn’t try to hit him hard enough to send him up to the wall, but I’d definitely try to get him out of the groove. They’ve had their fair share of wins and it’s time for us, though not (at Bristol).”
Each of Hamlin’s four Sprint Cup victories have occurred on relatively flat tracks: twice at Pocono, New Hampshire and Martinsville.
Denny Hamlin is so hungry for a victory that, if given the chance at Bristol Motor Speedway, he most certainly would have moved teammate Kyle Busch out of his way.
“Those guys are solid. They qualify well and as a result get a good pit stall,” Hamlin said. “Their pit crew is always consistent, and they work really hard at it. And on the short runs, Kyle has a way of taking off really, really good. He’s got that car. He’s got that raw speed that I just don’t have for 20 laps. And it pays big dividends to that race team.
“Luckily, we’re in the same stable, so we know everything he has. If there’s anything we need to work on, it’s me.”
He spoke often during the off-season about his desire to become a champion, a goal that would require much more maturity from the 28-year-old Virginian. His awakening coincided with two-time champion Tony Stewart’s departure from JGR, leaving the organization in need of a team leader.
“Denny did really set his jaw. He’s been on it. He’s been after it hard,” Gibbs said. “As much as anything, it’s your attitude. We talked quite a bit before the year. I think he spent a lot of time with Mike. I think you can tell the way he reacts when something does happen to the race team, he’s very strong about it.
“They’re not going to leave anything unturned around our place to try and keep from getting everything we can for the 11 car.”
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