Denny Hamlin
A couple of years ago, when I started writing The Spotter, I thought about doing some sort of Adopt-A-Driver program. What that means is that I'd blog regularly about a young up-n-comer, someone who might (or might not) make The Show.
I ended up not doing it - I got busy, you know. Work and life happens and good ideas come and go. But the driver I had in mind at the time was Denny Hamlin. Honest.
There's more ...
A couple of years ago, I didn't know much about Hamlin other than that he was driving the No. 20 in the Busch Series (and the 20 has maybe the most boring paint job in all of racing). He was the NASCAR driver of any note from Richmond, my hometown, since Tommy Ellis back the '80s.
Hamlin, as everyone knows, had a pretty good 2005 season in Busch (no wins, but fifth overall) and a tremendous rookie season in Cup last year (three poles, two wins, third overall).
This year, Hamlin might be driving better than anyone else other than Jeff Gordon and maybe Jimmie Johnson. Hamlin has improved his finishing spot from last year to this year in seven of nine races. He's also ahead in top 10s (two last year through nine races vs. four this year, and he was 19th in points last year through nine vs. fifth this year).
Best of all for Hamlin, he's able to dig his way out of trouble, sort of like Johnson and Chad Knaus do so well. Just when you think Hamlin's done because something happens early, there he is running in the top 10. Consider his last four races:
Martinsville: His tachometer needle broke, so he couldn't gauge pit road speed. He also lost 10 spots in the pits because of a loose lug nut. Thanks to a pit gamble late, he finished third.
Texas: He lost a lap early after pitting to deal with a tire problem. He needed more than 150 laps to regain the lap. He finished ninth.
Phoenix: He lost 30 spots after getting nailed for speeding. He clawed his way back to third.
Talladega: He was running fifth until a fuel gamble failed and he had to pit for gas six laps from the finish and ended up 21st.
Here's Hamlin in this week's NASCAR-approved conference call with reporters:
"I can tell you that I'm excited I'm competitive every week. We’re making gains. (But) every time it comes to pit road, we have problems. If it's not speeding; it's a loose wheel; it's a real bad pit stop or got to come in, top off with fuel. If we could just race out on the racetrack and not have to come in, you know, we could have easily three or four wins and they all could be in a row right now. [emphasis mine]
"It's just we've kind of been bit and it is, it's getting – it's getting old and it's been frustrating. But, you know, I'm still really, real happy that I can go to the racetrack now and know that I'm a top two or three car every time."
"(Jeff) Gordon and those guys have had great cars the last three or four, five weeks, but we've been as competitive, if not better than they have. He's just kind of got all the breaks lately and we can't really catch one to go our way. When it turns around, it's going to be big. We are going to reel off a bunch of wins."
(Complete transcript is here.)
Three or four wins in a row?! That's crazy talk. That's Jeff Gordon territory. That's ...
Maybe he's got a point. Hamlin's fire burns hot. What's not to like?
Comments (4)
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John, your adopted driver just hit the wall, twice.
Now let me tell you about my new favorite driver, Bobby Santos III. The grandson of Bobby Santos, who drove modifieds throughout MA and CT in the 60's & 70's. Can you believe I made until 5/04 this year until I brought them up.
Anyway Santos III is BDR's latest development driver, looked pretty good in last weeks ARCA race. Let me see if he has hit anything yet....
Posted on May 4, 2007 9:02 PM
Oh yeah, Tommy Ellis was none to shabby as a driver. Back when the Busch series raced the short tracks of VA and NC he was an absolute terror.
By the way Richmond had one other driver who was slightly better, Ray Hendrick; Late Model/Modified driver of the 60's and 70's. One of his cars is on display at the Hendrick Museum.
Posted on May 4, 2007 9:06 PM
This is my first time to come across this blog. I totally disagree with Mark stating that "John, your adopted driver just hit the wall, twice." Denny has had some problems in the pits (as he admits) and it happened again this week at Darlington; however, I don't think there is any NASCAR fan out there that pays half a lick of attention to the sport, that will deny that Denny Hamlin has talent. And without problems in the pits or late cautions - yes he could easily have won 5 races (Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix, Talladega and Darlington) and be sitting first in points. Denny is far from a "flash in the pan" and I will predict that Denny will be a better driver in the long run than ANY of the cars in the Hendrick's stable.
GO DENNY GO!!!!!
Posted on May 13, 2007 7:29 PM
Jason: Mark was talking about Hamlin's Busch race a couple of Friday nights ago at Richmond. It wasn't one of his finer moments.
I like Hamlin a lot, but I'll argue your contention that he'll be better than all of the Hendrick drivers. I don't think any active driver, not even Hamlin, is going to catch the guy driving the 24 car.
Posted on May 14, 2007 1:04 PM