Hamlin Rolls to Top-Ten Finish at Michigan

Friday was spent with two practice sessions. Denny Hamlin and the #20 Team struggled all day long. Fighting a tight condition, Crew Chief Cully Barraclough made some major changes in an effort to loosen up the car.

As the teams arrived at the race track Saturday morning, thunderstorms and heavy rain moved into the area forcing track officials to cancel qualifying. The #20 car would start the race by owner points in the 7 th position.

“This was a major break for us,” commented Denny Hamlin. “We spent both practices focused on race setup and did not have a chance to make a qualifying run. Plus we pulled a late number and would be forced to qualify when it was hotter. I think we have made some good changes and should have a decent race car.”

Nextel Cup was able to qualify the field for their race and then the rain showers returned. Delaying the start of the race for over an hour, the Busch Series Cars finally took the green flag. Hamlin settled into the 7 th position as he continued to feel out his race car. Reporting that the car was loose going into the corner, he began to lose positions. Slipping back to the 13 th position, Hamlin followed the leaders to pit road during the lap 27 caution period.

Calling for a trackbar adjustment, the #20 team was forced to chase a loose tire and had a 20 second stop that resulted in returning Hamlin to the track in the 21 st position. As the green flag flew again, Hamlin quickly began his assault on the front. Passing three cars in the first lap, Hamlin quickly worked his way back into the top 12. After several laps of trying to pass the #1 car of Johnny Sauter, Hamlin tucked in tightly behind him. Coming off of turn four, the #1 car was forced to get out of the gas early. Hamlin made minor contact with Sauter, ducked under him and passed him.

Reporting that car was now too tight, Hamlin settled in the 9th position. Barraclough was convinced that they had put on a bad set of tires because the minor changes they made should not have affected the car as bad as it did. However, Hamlin continued on the long green flag run fighting for a top ten position until lap 86 when he ducked onto pit road for a regularly scheduled pit stop.

On lap 109, Hamlin was in the ninth position as the caution flag flew. As only one of 14 cars on the lead lap, Hamlin ducked on to pit road for four tires and fuel. As the crew completed the stop, they noticed a large hole in the headlight area of the #20 machine. It appeared the damage received from the earlier incident was resulting in the tight condition.

Restarting 11th , Hamlin carefully navigated traffic. Slowed by one more caution before the end of the race, Hamlin was able to gain three positions and finish in the 8 th spot.

“I will take that,” said Hamlin following the race. “This is my best finish at a track that is a mile & half or larger. We were good early and just got tight. Looking at the damage, I can see why the car was tight. Still, this is a good car and I am looking forward taking it to California in a couple weeks.”

This week, the NASCAR Busch Series will head to arguably the most exciting track on the NASCAR circuit, Bristol Motor Speedway. The Food City 250 is scheduled to start Friday evening at 7:50 p.m. and will be broadcast on the TNT network.