Hamlin's Front Fender takes a beating at Texas

“I am really excited about the opportunities that JGR has given me,” commented Hamlin. “Both of these cars are equally important to me and I look forward to using them to make the other better. The extra seat time and Cup resources will definitely be able to help my Busch Car better, but being able to run three hundred miles in a Busch race will help me see how the track reacts. Rockwell Automation took a chance on me this time last year and I look forward to winning my first Busch Race in Rockwell Automation colors.”

As the teams lined up for the start of the O’Reilly Challenge 300, the #20 team was confident in a good run. The car had been decent in practice and secured the 14th starting spot in the race. As the race started, Hamlin was a little tight off the corner, but definitely was one of the stronger cars in the field as he began to work his way forward. When the first caution flag flew on lap 17, he was up to 8th and followed the leaders to pit road. After a fantastic stop, Hamlin continued his assault on the front of the field. Going into turn one, the #60 car of Carl Edwards drove underneath the Hamlin machine. As he did, Edwards became loose and his car moved up the track making contact with the #20 car. During the next caution period, Hamlin had Virginia native Elliot Sadler take a look at the fender and Sadler recommended getting it fixed.

Hamlin relinquished the 7th position to have the fender fixed and returned to the track in the 36th position.

“At that time, it was the only decision,” said Crew Chief Cully Barraclough. “You rely on aerodynamics a lot here and this damage will just make us tight. Plus it is still early in the race; we can come back from this.”

As Hamlin began to drive to the front, a long green flag run ensued. Race leader Ryan Newman set a record pace as all teams were nearing green flag pit stops. By the halfway point, all cars had made a stop for fuel and tires. The #20 machine was running 20th, one lap down to the leaders. When the caution flag flew, Hamlin knew his goal was to get to the front of the lapped cars and earn NASCAR’s “Lucky Dog” to return to the lead lap. After another quick caution, Hamlin pitted for tires and was set to return to the front of the line when contact on pit road from another car forced the fender down back down on the left front tire.

After another set of repair, Hamlin would work his way to the front of the lapped down cars, but another long green flag run ensued and soon leap lap cars were going a lap down. Hamlin drove hard but was forced to settle for a 19th place run, one lap down to the winner. Hamlin would retain 5th position in the points.

“We had absolutely no luck today,” commented Hamlin following the race. “Normally in a three hour race you would have something go your way, but not today. We had a rocketship at the beginning, but then we had the contact with the #60. Every time were in position for the lucky dog, a long green flag run would happen and the leader would lap cars in front of us. I am just looking forward to next week.”

The NASCAS Busch Series heads out to Phoenix, AZ for the Arizona 200. This race is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on TNT.