Subscribe Today!
Digital E-Star



REGISTER TO WIN

  • Family Four Pack: "THE BACKYARDIGANS LIVE"





  • Sports > Motorsports

    Motorsports  

    Posted on Wed, Jul. 23, 2008 10:15 PM

    Q&A with Denny Hamlin: Speedway offers history and unique challenges


    Denny Hamlin is looking to earn his third straight berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. He is 12th in points and needs a good finish this weekend at Indianapolis to stay in the top 12.

    It’s no secret this race means a great deal to everyone in the garage. What does it mean to you personally?

    Like everyone who grew up loving and watching racing, I know how much Indianapolis Motor Speedway means to this sport of auto racing and how much history the track holds. I remember watching the 500 every year and also remember what a big deal it was when NASCAR made the move to run the track.

    What does it take to win at Indy?

    The key is really to be able to roll through the center and then get back on the gas as fast as you can out of the turn and onto those straights. It’s a lot like drag strips connected by short, flat corners, so it’s a unique track. I think we have come to Indy with a setup capable of winning each of the past two seasons — bringing cars that ran really well at Pocono, where you have to be fast on the straights and then able to negotiate turns without much banking. We’ve had the cars, just haven’t had the races go our way.

    | Jim Pedley, jpedley@kcstar.com

     

    Join the discussion


    Share your observations and experiences about news. Lively, open debate is the goal, but please refrain from personal attacks or comments that are racist, vulgar or otherwise inappropriate. If you see an inappropriate comment, please click the "Report as violation" link to notify a KansasCity.com editor. Thanks for your feedback.

    Subscribe today!

    -->