Denny’s Grand Slam Helps Brush Off 2013
Last season never seemed so far away for Denny Hamlin.
The
2013 season was a forgettable one for Hamlin, to say the least. He
missed four races – and most of a fifth – with
a back injury, missed the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup for the first
time in his career and needed all 36 races for his first victory.
This year, he needed only 10 races to capture his first win (Talladega), which also happened to be his first points win
at a restrictor plate track.
And with the new championship format for 2014, last Sunday’s victory at Talladega virtually guarantees Hamlin a spot
in the Chase, which would be his eighth in nine full seasons.
Of
course, this season has not been without its hiccups. He missed the
race at Auto Club Speedway with what turned out
to be a small piece of metal in his eye. And, returning to the track
the following week, slogged through four consecutive finishes outside
the top 10.
But
his victory in Talladega erased all those ill wills. Now Hamlin heads
to Kansas Speedway, site of his first career
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start in 2005. In his Kansas career, Hamlin
has totaled 11 starts, one win (April of 2012) and three top fives.
No Place Like Home For 300th Career Sprint Cup Start
Clint Bowyer returns home, flying high and feeling good.
On Sunday, he scored his best finish of the 2014 season, a third at Talladega.
And on Monday, via Twitter, he announced that he and his wife Lorra were expecting their first child. That same day,
Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Bowyer signed a multi-year contract extension.
Now, he head’s to Kanas for a major career milestone.
In
Saturday night’s 5-hour ENERGY 400, the Emporia, Kansas native will
make his 300th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start.
Over the first 299, he has tallied eight wins, 52 top fives and 140 top
10s – and made the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup five times in his
eight full-time seasons, including 2012 when he finished second in
championship points.
Bowyer will look to become the first driver to win in his 300th start since … Denny Hamlin on Sunday at Talladega. Four
others have accomplished the feat: NASCAR Hall of Famers Ned Jarrett and Rusty Wallace, and Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch.
“Every
time you see one of these 300 starts or 400 starts … it really doesn't
register until you get back to thinking
about how it all began and what it really means,” Bowyer said. “I’m
very fortunate to be a part of this sport for 300 races. … Love this
sport, love being a part of it, and hopefully we're a part of it for a
long time. All of that coming down to Kansas,
my home track, is even that much more special to be able to celebrate
my 300th win right here in my own backyard at Kansas Speedway.”
For Edwards, There Are Plenty Of Places Better Than Home
Though his home state is Missouri, when it comes to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, Carl Edwards calls the 1.5-mile
oval in Kansas City, Kansas his home track.
And thus far, victory has eluded the talented local boy.
This
one’s a Holy Grail win of sorts for Edwards, who is winless in 13
starts at the track. He’s come close on a number
of occasions. His best finish was second, in 2008, part of a Kansas
resume that includes five top fives and nine top 10s. His average finish
there is 10.8, which ranks fifth among active drivers.
Edwards,
clearly, would like a win at Kanas – but he doesn’t need one. His
victory earlier this season at Bristol all
but locked him into the Chase. A second win would erase any lingering
doubt about a playoff spot – multiple win guarantee a driver a spot
among the 16-driver Chase Grid, provided he/she finishes in the top 30
in points after race No. 26 and attempt to qualify
for every race.
Rookie Contenders Finding Groove 10 Races In
This
season’s crop of Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidates continues to
impress – especially Kyle Larson and Austin Dillon,
who currently sit 1-2 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Sunoco Rookie of the
Year standings. The two are separated by only 18 points (122-104).
Larson
is out front early, and for good reason. He has posted two top fives
and five top 10s in his last seven starts,
including a runner-up finish at Auto Club Speedway. In the first 10
races, he has posted an average finish of 15.4. Larson is also the
highest ranked rookie in the NSCS driver standings (13th) passing Dillon
(14th) following his top-10 finish at Talladega.
Though
Larson has garnered much of the spotlight early this season, Dillon has
enjoyed solid runs in the early going.
Dillon returns to Kansas Speedway, the sight of his NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series debut (2011), having posted one top-10 finish this season.
Dillon’s average finishing position almost mirrors Larson’s (15.4) at
16.0. Dillon’s one start at Kansas produced a 26th-place
finish.
Though Larson slightly betters Dillon in several key Loop Data categories their performances have been fairly similar
through the first 10 races of 2014:
Larson – Driver Rating (78.7); Avg. Running Position (18.5)
Dillon – Driver Rating (70.8); Avg. Running Position (20.1)
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Etc.
Kyle
Busch led one lap at Talladega, pushing his career total to 9,971 laps
led. He now needs 29 more laps led to become
the 15th driver to reach 10,000 career laps led. Busch has led 29 or
more laps at Kansas only once in 13 starts. … Reed Sorenson will be
making a milestone career start this weekend; his 200th in the series. …
Ryan Blaney, son of NASCAR Sprint Cup veteran
Dave Blaney, will be making his series debut in the No. 12 SKF Ford for
Team Penske this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Ryan Blaney has made one
start in the NCWTS at Kansas resulting in a third–place finish and one
start in the NNS producing an 11th-place finish.
Dave Blaney is also entered this weekend
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