From the July, 2007 issue of Stock Car Insider
Denny Hamlin Captures First Win of 2007!
.068 seconds is all the separated 1st place finisher Denny Hamlin from Jeff Gordon when the checkered flag waved in yesterday's Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway. The hottest young star in NASCAR did all he could do to hold off the legendary driver in the final laps. ``You see Jeff coming and you're trying your best to not be the guy who chokes at the end. I was all over the track those last two laps. I was basically just trying not to give up the bottom'' said Hamlin.The win came as a result of a gutsy call made by crew chief Mike Ford. Ford experimented earlier in the race by taking 2 tires in a pit stop. ``You know, two tires worked for us earlier (in the race) and we kind of made a note that anything inside of 120 laps to go we were going to do two'' said Hamlin.
If Hamlin is to be a legitimate contender in the Chase, he and his team need to continue to capitalize on gutsy calls. The seeding for the Chase for the Championship are based on race wins, and this is the first for Hamlin this year. Meanwhile, Hendrick drivers Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson each have 4.
With over 472 points separating Hamlin from 12th place, it is highly unlikely that he will miss the Chase. So if I were you Denny, I'd go balls to the wall and try to win them all!
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