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Sprint Cup
CUP: Hamlin, Johnson Eyeing Dover
Chase moves on to fast Delaware track for Race Three…
Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on June 3, 2012. (Photo: Getty Images)
Next up: Dover.
And the question now hanging over the Chase for the Sprint Cup is: Can Denny Hamlin continue the blitz?
Hamlin was simply outstanding Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, leading 193 of 300 laps and completely embarrassing the rest of the Chase field on the way to an easy win.
Hamlin also ran well in Chase Race One at Chicagoland Speedway and should have had a top-five finish, but he dropped to 16th when he ran out of fuel on the final lap, a fall caused by a pit mistake.
Now Hamlin, new point leader Jimmie Johnson (who was second Sunday) and the rest of the Dandy Dozen move on to Dover International Speedway, where Hamlin’s early Chase strength will be put to a severe test.
Hamlin admits to having trouble connecting with the high-banked, relatively short but fast track, while it has been super-productive over the years for Johnson.
“I'm going to be optimistic when I go there,” Hamlin said. “You know, Darian (crew chief Darian Grubb) and my team have been working on that race track for quite a long time the last few weeks, at least, working on a setup that would make me comfortable on that race track.
“I just have to have an open mind when I get out there for the first green-flag run and have faith that I can do it. So I'll be leaning on my teammates (Kyle Busch and Joey Logano) quite a bit next weekend. Obviously, they are both very good at that track. So, with data that we have this year on throttle traces and brake, I'll be having that quite a bit next weekend.”
Johnson could be as strong at Dover Sunday as Hamlin was at Loudon.
“I certainly look at good tracks and want to capitalize,” Johnson said. “I think the 11 (Hamlin’s team) had that on their mind this weekend and came in here and executed and did a great job.
“You know, when you get to the Chase, you need to execute on your great tracks and get the results you should there, and then on your tracks that aren't your best, you still have to have good days.
“This track (Loudon) has been hit or miss for us over the years; so to come out of here in second, I'm real happy with today. We didn't have anything for the 11. I wish we did. Leaving the track that's been fair for me with an above-average finish and going to a track that I love next weekend – hope to get a great finish.”
Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
And the question now hanging over the Chase for the Sprint Cup is: Can Denny Hamlin continue the blitz?
Hamlin was simply outstanding Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, leading 193 of 300 laps and completely embarrassing the rest of the Chase field on the way to an easy win.
Hamlin also ran well in Chase Race One at Chicagoland Speedway and should have had a top-five finish, but he dropped to 16th when he ran out of fuel on the final lap, a fall caused by a pit mistake.
Now Hamlin, new point leader Jimmie Johnson (who was second Sunday) and the rest of the Dandy Dozen move on to Dover International Speedway, where Hamlin’s early Chase strength will be put to a severe test.
Hamlin admits to having trouble connecting with the high-banked, relatively short but fast track, while it has been super-productive over the years for Johnson.
“I'm going to be optimistic when I go there,” Hamlin said. “You know, Darian (crew chief Darian Grubb) and my team have been working on that race track for quite a long time the last few weeks, at least, working on a setup that would make me comfortable on that race track.
“I just have to have an open mind when I get out there for the first green-flag run and have faith that I can do it. So I'll be leaning on my teammates (Kyle Busch and Joey Logano) quite a bit next weekend. Obviously, they are both very good at that track. So, with data that we have this year on throttle traces and brake, I'll be having that quite a bit next weekend.”
Johnson could be as strong at Dover Sunday as Hamlin was at Loudon.
“I certainly look at good tracks and want to capitalize,” Johnson said. “I think the 11 (Hamlin’s team) had that on their mind this weekend and came in here and executed and did a great job.
“You know, when you get to the Chase, you need to execute on your great tracks and get the results you should there, and then on your tracks that aren't your best, you still have to have good days.
“This track (Loudon) has been hit or miss for us over the years; so to come out of here in second, I'm real happy with today. We didn't have anything for the 11. I wish we did. Leaving the track that's been fair for me with an above-average finish and going to a track that I love next weekend – hope to get a great finish.”
Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
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