Denny Hamlin hasn’t been
getting the attention that others have in the Nextel Cup Series, but the freshman is about to make some serious headlines,
if he can secure his place in “The Chase for the Championship,” this weekend.” Each week it seems we get
a little closer but certainly not anywhere close enough to take anything for granted,” says Hamlin.What Hamlin is referring to is one small problem and that is the fact of having eight guys vying for seven
spots left in “The Chase for the Championship.”In other words, fourth
through eleventh are only 102 markers apart.
Luckily, Hamlin will have a
chance to meet the challenge at his home track in RichmondVirginia.Back in May, Hamlin did the unthinkable by finishing second to Dale Earnhardt Jr.
at the Richmond International Raceway.If Hamlin can successfully complete the
task at the 0.750-mile facility, he would become the first rookie to make it into NASCAR’s version of a Championship
Series.In order for that to happen, Hamlin who is 76 points ahead of 11th place
Kasey Kahne would need to finish 16th or better to nail down his spot in “The Chase.”
Certainly Hamlin is capable
of coming home 16th considering how well he has run as of late.Hamlin, who drives
the No. 11 Fed Ex Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing has been on a roll, collecting seven straight top tens in a row coming into
Saturday night’s Chevrolet Rock & Roll 400.“This team is having
a great season and we are running well enough to have earned a spot, we aren’t backing in to Chase contention by any
means,” commented Hamlin.
In 25 events, Hamlin has 13
top tens total, while sweeping Pocono this year for his first two Nextel Cup career victories.Hamlin was also impressive last year.He drove in the last seven races
of the 2005 Nextel Cup season in order to keep his rookie status for 2006.During
that time, Hamlin recorded three top tens and a pole position.One year later,
Hamlin may finish in the top ten of the points standings and win Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors, if this pattern continues
through the end of the year.
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