NASCAR Denny Hamlin

642 posts

Top Drivers Differ on Length of Learning Curve at Martinsville

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 31, 2017 in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

When it comes to negotiating Martinsville Speedway successfully, Jimmie Johnson thinks of the learning process as a light bulb suddenly illuminating.

Denny Hamlin, on the other hand, thinks the use of data in analyzing the fastest way around the track has made it much easier to flip the switch than it used to be. Continue reading →

Boxed in by Pit Strategy, Truex Happy to Run Fourth

Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Toyota, stands on the grid before the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 26, 2017 in Fontana, California. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

When Corey LaJoie’s brush with the turn two wall brought out the sixth of seven cautions on lap 192 of a scheduled 200, Martin Truex Jr. and crew chief Cole Pearn gambled.

They stayed out on old tires for a restart on lap 196, but only two other drivers, Denny Hamlin and Jamie McMurray, followed suit. That left race winner Kyle Larson in the fourth starting position, and one lap after the resumption of action, he had the lead. Continue reading →