DENNY HAMLIN
#11 FedEx Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Darlington Raceway, May 12-13
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series: Dodge Charger 500

FEDEX RACING EXPRESS FACTS
DODGE CHARGER 500 – DARLINGTON RACEWAY

RACE INFO:
Event: Dodge Charger 500
Date/Time: May 13, 2006 / 7 p.m. ET
Track: Darlington Raceway Length: 1.366 Miles
Shape: Oval
Distance: 367 laps/501.3 miles Banking: 25/23 degrees
2005 winner: Greg Biffle
2005 polesitter: Kasey Kahne

EXPRESS NOTES:
Hamlin Second in Richmond: Denny Hamlin’s first Nextel Cup race at his hometown track was nearly a debut for the ages. After starting seventh and leading late in the race, the Chesterfield, Va. native brought the FedEx Kinkos’s Chevrolet home second in front of friends and family. The second-place finish is a career Cup best both for Hamlin and for the FedEx Racing program.

Hamlin at Darlington Raceway: This will be Hamlin’s first career NASCAR Nextel Cup start at Darlington Raceway, though the track played a big role in getting Hamlin into a Busch and Cup series ride at Joe Gibbs Racing. JGR signed Hamlin to a developmental contract in 2004 and gave him an opportunity to “show what he could do” in selected Busch and Craftsman Truck Series starts. Just months after turning in a top-ten debut in the Truck Series at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Denny lined up for his first Busch series at one of NASCAR’s trickiest tracks. Despite the odds against him, he turned a lot of heads as he posted a top-ten finish in his Darlington debut.

“I am fortunate to have been given some great opportunities and I learned quickly that when someone gives you a chance in this sport you have to make the most of it or you might not get another one,” said Hamlin. “That Busch race here in 2004 was exactly the chance I was looking for and I went out and did my best and had a great run. Call it skill, luck or a combination of both but, whatever it is…I hope it continues.”

Hamlin’s Richmond Helmet Is Hometown Good luck Charm: Hamlin’s scheduled visit to meet patients at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond as part of Operation FedEx Special Delivery last Thursday was unfortunately cancelled on account of his hand injury. However, FedEx presented the hospital with a $25,000 donation in support of their ongoing efforts, and Hamlin wore a helmet designed especially for the Richmond race weekend by seven-year old Jarryd Thompson of Richmond.

2006 Points: Hamlin’s second -place finish bumps him up three spots to 16th in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings heading to Darlington. Hamlin currently sits just two points behind fellow rookie Clint Bowyer in 15th, and 83 points behind Casey Mears in tenth. Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Tony Stewart and J.J Yeley sit in second and 22nd place, respectively.

2006 Rookie Race: With the best finish by a rookie this season, Hamlin takes over the lead in the 2006 Raybestos Rookie Contender standings leaving Richmond. Hamlin now leads Clint Bower by five points (107-102). JGR’s J.J. Yeley is third with 90 points.

Darlington Raceway Chassis JGR 121/ 092: The Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington will be the second ever start for chassis 121. In its only previous start, Hamlin qualified 16th and finished tenth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2006. Backup chassis JGR 092 most recently posted a 12th-place finish at California on Feb. 26, 2006. It served as the backup at Atlanta and Bristol

Hamlin on his Mom: “Well I know for sure without her support through the years I wouldn’t be here today. On top of all that she did to help, whether she was driving me to the track or working to find ways or places for me to race, the best thing she gave me was the confidence to keep trying. She had all the faith in the world that I could make it to the top level some day and for that I am thankful everyday, but especially on Mother’s Day because I know she’ll be up in the stands or down in the pit crossing her fingers and wishing the best for me the way she has since I was little.”

Hamlin on Darlington: “Darlington is one of the great tracks we run and I am really looking forward to getting there in a Cup car. I have had some good runs there in the Busch cars but a lot of the time I find the Cup car actually feels more comfortable for me and I am hoping that is the case this weekend.

“This is one of the tracks that you really need to run almost perfectly if you want to make it back in one piece. Between the surface, running right up against the wall and the 42 other drivers, I expect Darlington to test me every lap and I will have to be at my best all race.”