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.