Nicorette 300 - Denny Hamlin Notes

DENNY HAMLIN
No. 20 Rockwell Automation CHEVROLET
Atlanta Quotes and Notes

EVENT: NICORETTE 300 DATE: MARCH 18, 2006
TRACK: ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY TV: FX 3:30 PM ET
LAPS/MILES: 195 / 300 RADIO: PRN 3:30 PM ET

QUOTES

Driver Denny Hamlin on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway…
“I am looking forward this weekend’s race at Atlanta. We have spent a lot of time in the off-season working hard on our intermediate program and this will be a good test to see where we stand. Last week, I had the best Busch Car on a mile & half track I have ever driven. I think we have a good baseline setup to work with and then build from there. We hope to learn a lot that we will be able to take with us to use at other tracks similar to this like Texas and Charlotte.

I enjoy racing at Atlanta. It is a fast track that later in the race you should be able to move around. Early on, the bottom groove will be the place to be but as the weekend goes on and more rubber is laid down, you will see multiple grooves start to open up. I like running up top so look for me to be one of the first to test the waters up there. This is a fast track, so I have been practicing holding my breath to prepare for my qualifying lap.”

Crew Chief Dave Rogers on Atlanta…
“I am a little nervous going into this weekend. We are bringing a brand new race that has never been on the race track. You would prefer to be able to take the car out and shake it down before unloading for a race weekend. But with the testing rules & tire rules, these are the restrictions we are forced to run under. This week should be interesting because it is a big, fast track that people have not had a chance to test at, so the pressure will be on the teams to find a stable setup with only two hours of practice.”

NOTES

Driver’s Points Climber …With Hamlin’s sixth place finish last week in the race at Las Vegas, Hamlin moved to second place in the NASCAR Busch Series Driver’s Points. This is Hamlin’s highest position in the Driver’s Points during his two seasons of Busch Series Racing. Hamlin’s third top-ten finish of the year also moved the #20 car up to first place in the NASCAR Busch Series Owner’s Points. This is the highest the #20 car has been in owner’s points.

Car History … This week the #20 team is bringing car #2069. This car is the first brand new car that Crew Chief Dave Rogers has built from the ground up. Most cars in the #20 garage are chassis that have been run with new bodies and other work, but 2069 was designed by Rogers beginning to end.