Carquest Auto Parts 300 - Denny Hamlin Notes

DENNY HAMLIN
No. 20 Rockwell Automation CHEVROLET
CHARLOTTE QUOTES AND NOTES

EVENT: CARQUEST AUTO PARTS 300 DATE: MAY 27, 2006
TRACK: LOWES MOTOR SPEEDWAY TV: FX 8:00 PM ET
LAPS/MILES: 200 / 300 RADIO: PRN 7:30 PM ET

QUOTES

Driver Denny Hamlin on racing at Charlotte & the last couple weeks…
“Charlotte was not a very nice track to me last year. During my two Busch Races last year, I wrecked three cars. I take a lot of pride in taking care of my cars and bringing them back in one piece so I forced myself to figure out my way around there. After last year’s Cup race (Fall 05) and this test, I have finally found a balance that I am comfortable with. Everyone wants to run well at Charlotte because you have so many team members, friends & family that are in the stands.

The big story of the weekend is going to be tires. It was the talk of last weekend and I am sure it will be the talk this weekend. During the test, the tires would run forever. I am sure you will see a lot of teams gamble with no tire & two tire strategy and it should make for an interesting race. There are a lot of Cup drivers in the race this weekend, I am sure they are going to be trying to get as much information about the tires as they can for Sunday’s race.

Other than my hand, I have had a really good May. It was really exciting to run so well at Richmond and then to win Darlington after starting on the Pole, especially representing a team whose has such a large presence in South Carolina, was big. Last week, I had some friends from Chesterfield come down and we spent the week getting away from racing. I feel my batteries are recharged for the long summer ahead.

Crew Chief Dave Rogers on this weekend’s event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway….
“I am excited about the Chevrolet Monte Carlo that we are bringing to the track this weekend. At the beginning of the season, we built this car especially for mile & half tracks. Our first race was Atlanta and it was o.k., but just could not get it to drive through the middle of the corner. So we cut the nose off, rebuilt it and then took it to Texas. The changes worked and Denny won his first Busch Pole of the season. We have continued to tweak on it, but during the test at Charlotte this car really came alive. I think we have finally found a mile & half package that Denny is comfortable with. I expect us to be a big factor in the race on Saturday night.”

NOTES

Off Weekend …While Denny Hamlin was on the lake relaxing with his friends, Crew Chief Dave Rogers used the off weekend to welcome his new son into the world. Matthew Ryan Rogers was born on May 19 th at 4:22 p.m., measuring 22 inches and weighing in at 7lbs 13oz. Everyone returned home from the hospital on Sunday, are doing well and looking forward to watching his first race on Saturday night.

Car History … This week the #20 team is bringing car #2069. This chassis has raced twice this year (Atlanta & Texas). At Texas, Hamlin won the pole and led 23 laps before a tight condition forced him to settle for a tenth place finish.