-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
-
Latest Headlines: Moto-Racing
-
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Sprint Cup
CUP: Hamlin Looks For Better 2012
Denny Hamlin hoping for reversal of fortune with new crew chief Darian Grubb calling the shots...
Denny Hamlin (Right) and new crew chief Darian Grubb (Left) confer at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Of all the surprises that unfolded during NASCAR’s 2011 Sprint Cup season, Denny Hamlin’s struggles were among the most unexpected.
After winning a career-best eight races in 2010 and heading into the final race of the season with the points lead (a lead that would eventually vanish to leave him second in the final standings), the Joe Gibbs Racing driver and his No. 11 team couldn’t rediscover the magic in 2011.
“There were moments within the season where I felt like I didn’t communicate to Mike [Ford] as well as what I should’ve,” Hamlin said Saturday at Daytona International Speedway during the final day of a three-day test. “Other than that we just had a lot of issues between engine failures and mechanical failures and things like that happening. None of us [at JGR] running good. All of that kind of took its toll.”
Hamlin said in spite of the results – he won one race, qualified for the Chase and finished ninth in the standings – there’s not a lot he would have done differently.
“We just wish we would’ve performed better,” he said. “We just didn’t have the parts and pieces in place I feel like to do that.”
Teammate Kyle Busch also made the Chase, but once again struggled in the final 10 races and finished 12th in points while Joey Logano was a disappointing 24th in points.
Ford, Hamlin’s crew chief since 2006, is no longer in the picture, one of several changes that unfolded during the offseason. Darian Grubb, released from Stewart-Haas Racing after leading co-owner/driver Tony Stewart to the 2011 title, has replaced Ford.
Also, Chris Lambert is now handling spotter duties for the team, replacing longtime spotter Curtis Markham.
Neither decision came easily, Hamlin said, in large part because of the relationships that had been built through the years.
“Mike and my family have a really strong relationship and me and Curtis have a really strong relationship,” he said. “Curtis is the guy who called [team president] J.D. Gibbs when I was testing a Late Model and said, ‘You need to get to the race track and take a look at this guy.’ So, that part of it is really, really tough.
“But, Chris, because he was available, he’s a guy that we’ve been looking at for a while and I just feel like the way he communicates and all is giving me the information that I need.
“The trio of me and Mike and Curtis had been very successful, but I just feel like it had all run its course over the six years that we were together. It’s hard to keep things fresh when it goes that long.”
Personnel changes have been only one part of the equation. Hamlin also decided that being consumed by racing – “Ever since I was eight years old ... I’ve lived it and breathed it,” he said – had taken its toll. The result was a move to Scottsdale, Ariz., where he can work on his golf game when time allows and momentarily put racing aside.
“If I’m going to do this for another 10 [years], I’ve got to hit the reset button every now and then,” he said.
What may work for Busch might not work for others. Or it might work for a time before it becomes too much.
“He loves [racing] so much he wants to do it every single day,” Hamlin said of his teammate. “Other drivers like Jeff Gordon [and] myself, I don’t think that we need to live it and breathe it as much to get the same result. I think that each person it works different for and for me at this point in my career, it’s taking those breaks when I can get them.”
It’s too soon to get an accurate read of how things will shake out with Grubb – it will likely be an upcoming tire test at Texas “where I see how he does things and how he relates to the way I react to what the car is doing,” he said – but initial indications of the overall program as well as that of the entire JGR organization are good.
“It’s not going to take as long when we want to change something in a race car to actually get to the race track,” Hamlin said. “It’s actually going to happen sooner. Those things are all good. Just everyone’s attitude seems to be a little bit more upbeat this year.”
Admittedly a slow starter, Hamlin said early-season issues – which included the engine room catching on fire – laid the groundwork for an uphill battle.
“This year, it seems like everything is a lot smoother,” he said.
The arrival of Grubb pairs Hamlin with a crew chief that has won the Daytona 500 (in an interim role in 2006) as well as a Chase title.
And it’s what Grubb said he hasn’t seen much of that has impressed him thus far.
“I don’t think there are any glaring weaknesses,” Grubb said. “Obviously they’re a very good, strong team with what they have.
“It’s more now me trying to fit into their system, learn how everybody on the team works together or how the team works with other teams there and how the communication works.”
That being the case, he said that there is no laundry list of changes he has in mind.
“Just trying to learn, fit in and then make everybody have a new mentality that we’re all going to work together to try to win a championship,” he said.
SceneDaily.com • Kasey Kahne to Hendrick, bevy of new crew chiefs highlight list of best offseason moves
After winning a career-best eight races in 2010 and heading into the final race of the season with the points lead (a lead that would eventually vanish to leave him second in the final standings), the Joe Gibbs Racing driver and his No. 11 team couldn’t rediscover the magic in 2011.
“There were moments within the season where I felt like I didn’t communicate to Mike [Ford] as well as what I should’ve,” Hamlin said Saturday at Daytona International Speedway during the final day of a three-day test. “Other than that we just had a lot of issues between engine failures and mechanical failures and things like that happening. None of us [at JGR] running good. All of that kind of took its toll.”
Hamlin said in spite of the results – he won one race, qualified for the Chase and finished ninth in the standings – there’s not a lot he would have done differently.
“We just wish we would’ve performed better,” he said. “We just didn’t have the parts and pieces in place I feel like to do that.”
Teammate Kyle Busch also made the Chase, but once again struggled in the final 10 races and finished 12th in points while Joey Logano was a disappointing 24th in points.
Ford, Hamlin’s crew chief since 2006, is no longer in the picture, one of several changes that unfolded during the offseason. Darian Grubb, released from Stewart-Haas Racing after leading co-owner/driver Tony Stewart to the 2011 title, has replaced Ford.
Also, Chris Lambert is now handling spotter duties for the team, replacing longtime spotter Curtis Markham.
Neither decision came easily, Hamlin said, in large part because of the relationships that had been built through the years.
“Mike and my family have a really strong relationship and me and Curtis have a really strong relationship,” he said. “Curtis is the guy who called [team president] J.D. Gibbs when I was testing a Late Model and said, ‘You need to get to the race track and take a look at this guy.’ So, that part of it is really, really tough.
“But, Chris, because he was available, he’s a guy that we’ve been looking at for a while and I just feel like the way he communicates and all is giving me the information that I need.
“The trio of me and Mike and Curtis had been very successful, but I just feel like it had all run its course over the six years that we were together. It’s hard to keep things fresh when it goes that long.”
Personnel changes have been only one part of the equation. Hamlin also decided that being consumed by racing – “Ever since I was eight years old ... I’ve lived it and breathed it,” he said – had taken its toll. The result was a move to Scottsdale, Ariz., where he can work on his golf game when time allows and momentarily put racing aside.
“If I’m going to do this for another 10 [years], I’ve got to hit the reset button every now and then,” he said.
What may work for Busch might not work for others. Or it might work for a time before it becomes too much.
“He loves [racing] so much he wants to do it every single day,” Hamlin said of his teammate. “Other drivers like Jeff Gordon [and] myself, I don’t think that we need to live it and breathe it as much to get the same result. I think that each person it works different for and for me at this point in my career, it’s taking those breaks when I can get them.”
It’s too soon to get an accurate read of how things will shake out with Grubb – it will likely be an upcoming tire test at Texas “where I see how he does things and how he relates to the way I react to what the car is doing,” he said – but initial indications of the overall program as well as that of the entire JGR organization are good.
“It’s not going to take as long when we want to change something in a race car to actually get to the race track,” Hamlin said. “It’s actually going to happen sooner. Those things are all good. Just everyone’s attitude seems to be a little bit more upbeat this year.”
Admittedly a slow starter, Hamlin said early-season issues – which included the engine room catching on fire – laid the groundwork for an uphill battle.
“This year, it seems like everything is a lot smoother,” he said.
The arrival of Grubb pairs Hamlin with a crew chief that has won the Daytona 500 (in an interim role in 2006) as well as a Chase title.
And it’s what Grubb said he hasn’t seen much of that has impressed him thus far.
“I don’t think there are any glaring weaknesses,” Grubb said. “Obviously they’re a very good, strong team with what they have.
“It’s more now me trying to fit into their system, learn how everybody on the team works together or how the team works with other teams there and how the communication works.”
That being the case, he said that there is no laundry list of changes he has in mind.
“Just trying to learn, fit in and then make everybody have a new mentality that we’re all going to work together to try to win a championship,” he said.
SceneDaily.com • Kasey Kahne to Hendrick, bevy of new crew chiefs highlight list of best offseason moves
Shake and Bake: Recent Posts
-
Mr. E Would Rather Watch Soap Operas & Teletubbies Than 4 Hours Of Single-File Racing (Video) »
-
Krash Kab Invades Darlington With Jimmy Spencer And Monica Palumbo (Video) »
-
Sebastian Vettel's Monaco GP Helmet Has A Nearly Naked Pinup Girl »
-
Last Lap: Despite Struggles, Danica Patrick Unlikely To Return To IndyCar »
-
NHRA Champ Antron Brown Will Try A Stock Car »
-
The Lovely MWR Girls Talk Beer Cooler Racing With 'Vodkatime' (Video) »
-
Charlotte TV Schedule: Coca-Cola 600 Weekend »
-
Don't Act Like You're Not Going To Buy This Miss Sprint Cup Collectible Car »
2013 All Star Race
LATEST HEADLINES: NASCAR
-
CUP: Man On A Mission
Denny Hamlin going all out in pursuit of a shot at the championship…… -
NNS: RCR Crew Penalties Upheld
Nelson Piquet Jr. was allegedly assaulted at Richmond International… -
CUP: Zippy Says Cars To Blame
Greg Zipadelli said the addition of a third car for Danica Patrick… -
CUP: Indy In Background For Patrick
Danica Patrick says she might run Indy 500 again but is focused on… -
CUP: Record Smashed At Charlotte
Denny Hamlin wins Coca-Cola 600 pole with speed of 195.624 mph…… -
CUP: Thursday Charlotte Notebook (Update 8)
Denny Hamlin won the pole Thursday night for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600… -
CUP: Coca-Cola 600 – The Longest Day/Night
Speed, endurance, patience all part of the formula for Sunday’s… - More News
