TEAM REPORTS (DAYTONA, FLA.) - FEDEX AND DENNY HAMLIN DAYTONA ADVANCE

Countdown to the Daytona 500: After working through the Speedweeks schedule of practice and qualifying sessions, Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx Racing team have their sites squarely set on piecing together a strong performance in the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17. For Hamlin, this year's event mark's his third 500 start and he'll be looking to improve on a record that has seen him qualify well, but ultimately not finish as well as expected. In two 500 starts, Hamlin has been competitive but has been bitten by damage that ultimately keeps him from challenging for a win. Heading into Sunday's race, the team is encouraged by very good tests at Daytona in January and a strong start to Speedweeks. Through week one at Daytona, Hamlin has posted top-ten times in both practice sessions and also slotted into the top-ten on qualifying day.

FedEx Express Fact: The first race of the 2008 season will mark Hamlin's 80th career start in the Sprint Cup Series. Through 79 career starts Hamlin has recorded three wins, five pole awards and has posted forty one top-ten finishes.

Daytona 500 Chassis - JGR 188: Chassis 188 will serve as the primary for the Duel race and Daytona 500. This car made its debut in the fall 2007 Chase race at Talladega Superspeedway, qualifying 12th and finishing 21st.

Hamlin on Daytona, Toyota and Expectations for 2008:

This is a big race made even bigger by the fact it's the 50th running. What does this race mean to you?: "Not that anyone in this garage needs to be reminded about how important this race is, but I will say from being down here for testing and now for the last week or so, it really does seem like everything is heightened this year. As a driver, I guess you never really know how many opportunities you'll have to run this race so each time you come back here you just want to win it that much more because a win here puts you and your team in some really good company and gives you a place in history. I always say a win at Richmond, because it's my home track, is the race I really want to win the most, but in Daytona you have a huge standalone races that everyone wants to win. With all of the preparation that goes into this race, the stakes are raised a bunch."

Do you approach this race as the first of the season, or as more of a one-off special event?: "If you finish well it can give you a boost in the points heading to California, Vegas and beyond but you can't let a bad run here get you down because it is a long season and there is plenty of time to turn it around. This is a race where you don't necessarily get to control what happens to you. You can prepare, practice and put yourself in the best possible position but that doesn't always mean you'll even finish the race so you can't get down if it doesn't go your way in this race."

You've tested, practiced, qualified and now raced the Camry here at Daytona. What is your assessment so far? "We're really happy with it. The JGR and Toyota folks have put so much work into these cars and it's all paying off now. We've been fast both in the draft and on single car runs so we are feeling like we have a car that can be successful here. With our teammates in the 18 and 20 working hard, we are all sharing information and that helps a lot. It looks like all of the JGR cars are strong so I am hoping we can all hook up, like Tony and I were trying to in the shootout and work together. I know I will be looking for Tony and Kyle out there."

You've enjoyed two very good years at the Cup level. Looking ahead at your third season, what are your expectations? "As a team our goal is to always improve. We were on pace to have a better 2007 than 2006, but that success just didn't carry over into the Chase and that left us all really disappointed. If we can run as consistent as we did for most of last season, there is no reason we can't finish better than we did last season. We are bringing back almost the same crew we've had for three years now and that makes a huge difference."

FedEx Racing – 2008 Team Roster:

Crew Chief: Mike Ford – Morristown, Tenn.

Car Chief: Chris “Spider” Gillin – Smithtown, NY

Shock Specialist: Tim Sparkman – St. Louis, Mo.

Engineer: Mike Wheeler – Southholt, NY

Tire Specialist: Patrick Mullen – Brick, N.J.

Motor Specialist: Roger Purcell – Latham, Ill

Mechanic: Shawn Warren – Concord, N.C.

Mechanic: John Furino – Long Island, NY

Spotter: Curtis Markham – Fredericksburg, Va.

Hauler Driver: Jerry Hess – Lancaster, Pa.

Hauler Driver: Frank Hodel – Blythe, Calif.

Jackman: Chris Anderson – Brooksville, Fla.**

Front Tire Carrier: Brandon Pegram – Statesville, N.C.**

Front Tire Changer: Mike Hicks – Salisbury, N.C.**

Rear Tire Carrier: Heath Cherry – Belmont, N.C.

Rear Tire Changer: Jonathan Sherman – Monroe, La.

Windshield: Bobby “Spike” Christenson – Spokane, Wash.

Gas can: Scott Wood – Liberty, S.C.

Catch Can: John Eicher – London, Ky.

Pit Crew Coordinator: Paul Alepa – Vienna, Va.

Athletic Director: Mike Lepp - Charlotte, N.C.

**New team members for the 2008 season