Hamlin Dominates the Granite State

    
        Last weekend, the first race of the Chase at Chicago, ended with a disappointing finish for Denny Hamlin's #11 team. They ran out of gas with only a few laps remaining and left with a 16th place finish. After the race Denny tweeted he would win at New Hampshire. It was the "Tweet Heard Around the World." Everyone was taking Denny's word for it and placing their bets. Sure enough, Denny was fastest in first practice at the Magic Mile and was looking as strong as ever, until his qualifying lap. Hamlin suffered tire pressure issues during his qualifying lap and would roll off 32nd for Sunday's race. That was not going to kill his confidence in his race car. “I knew something was really, really wrong because the car was bobbing down real bad — but a simple mistake,” Hamlin said. “We’ll rebound from it. We’re quick enough.” Denny - once again - kept his word.
     Denny Hamlin proved he was the car to beat from the green flag to the checkers. By Lap 100 he had gone from the back of the field to passing teammate Kyle Busch for the lead. At a track that has a reputation of difficult passing, he was able to overcome his terrible starting position and take the win. And not just win the race, but win with a 2.675 second lead over 5-time champion Jimmie Johnson. During one of the cautions Denny was unable to swerve onto pit road and was the only leader to not take 4 fresh tires. Denny would restart in 1st, but everyone behind him was on new tires. Even with old tires Hamlin was able to launch forward and create a huge lead over Kyle Busch. It was incredible to watch. His car was impossible to beat and Denny's prediction was looking clearer and clearer each lap.
     This win was Hamlin's 5th of this season, his 22nd career win and Joe Gibbs Racing's 100th Cup Series win! The team gained 3 spots in the championship. Denny is looking for redemption after he lost the championship to Jimmie Johnson 2 years ago in 2010. A terrible fuel strategy and a early wreck in the last 2 races of the 2010 Chase cost him the trophy. The 11 team has a new crew chief this season in Darian Grubb (who won the championship with Tony Stewart last season) and is looking to be the ones to beat come Homestead in November.
     Jimmie Johnson was the runner-up at New Hampshire. Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart complete the top-7. Ironically, all 7 are Chase contenders. It looks like the Chase is about to get heated up next week at Dover. 

2013 NSCS Schedule Announced

     NASCAR has announced the schedule for the 2013 season. There doesn't seem to be any major changes for next year.

2/16 Daytona International Speedway (Shootout)
2/17 Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500 Qualifying)
2/21 Daytona International Speedway (Duel)
2/24 Daytona 500
3/3 Phoenix International Raceway
3/10 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
3/17 Bristol Motor Speedway
3/24 Auto Club Speedway
4/7 Martinsville Speedway
4/13 Texas Motor Speedway
4/21 Kansas Speedway
4/27 Richmond International Raceway
5/5 Talladega Superspeedway
5/11 Darlington Raceway
5/18 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (Charlotte Motor Speedway)
5/26 Charlotte Motor Speedway
6/2 Dover International Speedway
6/9 Pocono Raceway
6/16 Michigan International Speedway
6/23 Sonoma
6/29 Kentucky Speedway
7/6 Daytona International Speedway
7/14 New Hampshire Motor Speedway
7/28 Indianapolis Motor Speedway
8/4 Pocono Raceway
8/11 Watkins Glen International
8/18 Michigan International Speedway
8/24 Bristol Motor Speedway
9/1 Atlanta Motor Speedway
9/7 Richmond International Raceway
9/15 Chicagoland Speedway
9/22 New Hampshire Motor Speedway
9/29 Dover International Speedway
10/6 Kansas Speedway
10/12 Charlotte Motor Speedway
10/20 Talladega Superspeedway
10/27 Martinsville Speedway
11/3 Texas Motor Speedway
11/10 Phoenix International Raceway
11/17 Homestead-Miami Speedway

Joey Logano signs with Penske

    

     Let the Silly Season begin! Today sure has been a day of announcements. It started off with Matt Kenseth proving the rumors were right and announcing he has signed with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2013. Kenseth will drive the #20 Home Depot/Dollar General Toyota, replacing 22 year old Joey Logano.
     Only hours later, Penske Racing announced that a multi-year contract with Logano was signed and that he will drive the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford in 2013 joining Brad Keselowski. AJ Allmendinger was in the #22 after Penske released Kurt Busch at the end of the 2011 season. AJ's run was short after he tested positive for a drug test twice and was suspended from NASCAR back in July. He currently is going through the Road to Recovery program. Sam Hornish Jr. has been driving the #22 and will continue for the rest of the 2012 season.
     Joey Logano currently has 2 Sprint Cup wins after being in Cup for 4 seasons. He also has 15 Nationwide wins after 5 part-time seasons. All have been with JGR. He is coming off a win at Pocono this season back in June, the 2nd NSCS win of his career. This will only be the second team Logano has been signed with in his NASCAR career.
     Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano will be one of the youngest teams in the field. Both drivers being under 30 years of age. Joey and Brad are friends and will make great teammates in my opinion. This team will be in contention next year for sure. Keselowski has already shown much improvement in the years he's been with the team and grown tremendously as a driver, making the Chase last season and now 6th in points with one more race until the Chase this year. Both drivers have under 5 wins and will definitely add to that list in 2013. Brad Keselowski is also a great mentor and team owner for the Brad Keselowski Racing truck team. Brad will be able to give Logano tips and advice as he settles in his new ride. I think the transition will turn out smoothly when the 2013 season comes around.