TEAM REPORTS (DAYTONA, FLA.) - Hamlin's Shootout History

Denny Hamlin's racing career will likely forever be linked with his surprise Budweiser Shootout win in 2006. Having qualified for the event by capturing the pole at Phoenix (11/05) in only his sixth career Cup start, Hamlin's participation in the Shootout as a true Cup rookie was rare and his chances of winning the prestigious event appeared to be slim at best. However, Hamlin proved he was up to the challenge and with a combination of a steady drive, quick work on pit road and some well-timed help, Hamlin turned a lot of heads. He was the first rookie to win the event and parlayed the pre-season boost into one of the most successful rookie seasons in NASCAR Cup Series history.

"That was a memorable race for sure," said Hamlin. " There was a lot of emotion that night as it was a first win for me in a Cup car and even though there were no points involved I think it gave everyone on the team a huge lift going into a season where we didn't know what to expect. I only had a handful of races under my belt and the guys and everyone at FedEx had come through a really long and frustrating 2005 season. After that race, even though it wasn't going to help in the standings and really wouldn't matter as soon as the 500 started, we gained some confidence. As much as we enjoyed the win and the celebration, the much bigger part of that win was the tone it set for the season."

In 2007, Hamlin arrived in Daytona as the defending race winner armed with a lifetime invite and with three pole wins from the 2006 season under his belt. After pulling the last spot on the grid at the Bud Shootout draw party, Hamlin had a relatively anonymous night as his teammate Tony Stewart stamped his authority on the race and took the trophy. Hamlin qualified for the 2008 edition by virtue of his 2006 Shootout win but he also won his fifth career Bud Pole Award at Martinsville Raceway (4/07) in the sixth race of the 2007 Cup season.

Preseason Testing - Hope Springs Eternal: Denny Hamlin and the #11 FedEx team are enjoying the transition to the new car, the Toyota badge on the hood and the power plant tucked underneath. In preseason testing at Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway, Hamlin and the team consistently hovered near the top of the speed chart.

Bud Shootout Chassis - JGR 200: This will be the first race for this car though it saw extensive track time during the Daytona test. Chassis 188 will serve as the back up for the Shootout and as the primary for the Duels and Daytona 500.

QUOTES

This will be your third time you've been through Speedweeks at Daytona - Does it help to have that experience?: "It really does. Between everything happening on-track, with the way it is spread out over two weeks, and the commitments off the track, it's easy to get a little overwhelmed. With it being the biggest race of the season and the start of a new season, there is just a ton of activity. I think having been through it all and knowing what to expect helps me manage my time better and that helps me focus on the task at hand."

No races in the Toyota yet, but the tests have been very good - Are you satisfied so far?: "Absolutely. The team at Gibbs and the folks at Toyota have really hit on something with this car. We've been really good, really fast, and that is encouraging heading into this season. Honestly, I think most of the questions about how this move would affect me, Kyle and Tony came from outside the team. J.D, Joe, Jimmy (Makar) and the crew chiefs wouldn't have made the move if we didn't think our equipment would be really competitive. But, you don't win anything in testing."

Thoughts heading into your third Shootout? "The shootout is a fun event and it's a race that we all want to win. It's unique because you aren't worrying about points or about how it's going to affect your season. You'll probably see guys try things in the shootout that you won't see in the 500 but it's a short race and the format means that there is nothing to lose at the end. I think that's what the fans like about this race. We just get to go out there and race."

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.