No. 1 Chase Seed Hamlin Predicts Wins To Be Crucial

No. 1 Chase Seed Hamlin Predicts Wins To Be Crucial

Denny Hamlin has no illusions about what it will take to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. And as the Chase’s No. 1 seed, the Virginia driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota has proved so far in 2012 he’s capable of meeting the challenge.
"It’s going to take wins. That’s going to be the most important thing," said Hamlin, whose four regular-season victories give him 2,012 points heading to Sunday’s GEICO 400.
Seeding gives a driver bragging rights – for exactly one week. But No. 1 seeds have become the champion just twice under the Chase format: Tony Stewart in 2005 and Jimmie Johnson in 2007. (see chart page 2)
Stewart was winless a year ago before winning at Chicagoland Speedway and the following week in New Hampshire en route to a Chase-record five victories.
Hamlin had the championship trophy all but engraved with two races remaining in 2010 but finished second. JGR has added a key ingredient it lacked, a championship crew chief, Darian Grubb, who backed Stewart’s title run a year ago.
"What took us out of the championship in 2010 really were a lot of different circumstances," Hamlin said. "I think I'll just be a lot more relaxed this time around."

Earnhardt-Letarte Bond Makes Championship Realistic Goal

This could be the season Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins it all. And if he does, he’ll credit crew chief Steve Letarte to pushing him over the top.
The second season with Letarte calling the shots for Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet has been a hit – and then some.
Earnhardt qualified for consecutive Chases for the first time. His 17 top-10 finishes in the season thus far are the most in HMS equipment. And there’s that elusive Michigan victory, which broke a four-year drought in June.
"You know, I just think that Steve deserves a lot of credit for our performance. Steve puts a lot into the program," Earnhardt said of Letarte’s skills. "He's helped me as a driver. He's helped me become a better driver. He's shown me how I can be a better asset to the team inside of the car and outside of the car. I think he's improved me in a lot of areas."
 Earnhardt has thrived as a true member of a team – something lacking earlier in his career.
"I never really had anybody ask much of me other than bring the helmet, get in, [ask] ‘How does it drive?’" he said. "He's a lot more detailed and wants a lot more information. It's just a totally different atmosphere, a totally different culture than I'm used to being around."
The team has taken the season one race at a time and will continue to do so in the Chase.
"I think you can't think too far ahead of yourself," Earnhardt said. "You just got to be smart and try not to make any mistakes or get yourself in any holes early on."
Where Do We Start?
Below is each Chase champion’s seed at the start of the 10-race Chase …

Year        Champion                 Seed
2004        Kurt Busch                    7
2005        Tony Stewart                 1
2006        Jimmie Johnson            2
2007        Jimmie Johnson            1
2008        Jimmie Johnson            3
2009        Jimmie Johnson            3
2010        Jimmie Johnson            2
2011        Tony Stewart                 9