Two Down, Thirty Four to Go

The #11 FedEx Racing team was hoping the NASCAR Sprint Cup stop at California Speedway would give them a chance to showcase their intermediate Camry program after enjoying a very successful test session at the 2.0-mile track earlier this year. Unfortunately, the weather that soaked the track and raised condition concerns throughout the weekend ultimately bit Hamlin and the team on lap 15, sending the FedEx Freight Camry up the track and into the turn four wall. While the crew worked to repair the substantial damage, the race restarted and Hamlin would rejoin the event 55 laps down. After a rain delay that stopped the race overnight, Hamlin restarted at the back of the field and ultimately brought the #11 Camry home in 41st place.

"I could see the water on the track and I was just doing what I could to hit my marks because I knew if I hit the water the car would jump out and I would have my hands full. Unfortunately, I ran right over it and there was nothing I could do. I was in the wall so fast - I had no chance to saving it. They had a big job drying that track with the conditions we were experiencing but I think we went too early and a couple of us paid the price for it. It's too bad because I know we weren't a 41st-place car."

Hamlin at Las Vegas: This will be Hamlin’s third career Cup start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and he'll be looking to continue a streak that includes two top-ten finishes. Last season, a decision to stay out when the final caution flew on lap 252 allowed Hamlin to restart in fourth on old tires. Not only did he hold his position, he made a late pass on Mark Martin to claim a spot in the top-three.

Las Vegas Chassis – JGR 204 and 166: This will be the first start for Chassis number 204. Chassis 166 will stay on the truck at Las Vegas. It saw action in three COT races last season, recording finishes of second (Darlington), fourth (Dover) and 38th (Dover) and served as the back up car last weekend at California.

LAS VEGAS CONVERSATION

Las Vegas is one of the more popular races of the season. What do you like about it?: “It's a good race and good race track. You see really close finishes at Vegas and that's exciting for the fans and the drivers. This will be my third year going to Vegas in a Cup car and it seems to be a different experience each time. Between all of the work they have done to the track in the last two years and now going back there with this new car - it's going to take some getting used to. We did have a good test there so we're hoping we can carryover some of what we learned and hopefully start from a good place on Friday and then work to get the car right for Sunday. It seems like we've never had a great car, or a great handling car, from the start at Vegas but we've been consistent enough to score some good finishes. That comes down to working all race long to make little improvements here and there, but also keeping in mind that the track will be different at the end. Having the car ready at the end is what wins you races."

You are currently 31st in points - that's unfamiliar territory for this team. Does that affect the way you approach upcoming races?: "Not at all. The last couple of seasons we've come off of Daytona looking up at the leaders and then gradually chipped away at the standings as the season went along so we can know we can do that again. Daytona is, in a lot of ways, out of your control and then last week we really were at the mercy of the race track so we aren't feeling like there is something else we should be doing. There are a lot points left in this season and with the separation between us and the teams ahead of us being so small, one good race can give you a big boost. If we can run our race and finish the way we know we are capable of, the points will take care of themselves."

This is your third year in the Cup Series, does experience change the way you approach a race weekend? "It helps in that I know the track better and I know what to expect now. Even just having those two previous races at Las Vegas, with practice and qualifying, helps me prepare for the weekend and the race there. I know that each time we go back to a track I can better explain to Mike (Ford) and the crew what I am feeling in the car and how that might affect us during the race. The more laps you have at a track the more you learn and can use the next time."