As a new feature here at Gas Pedal Addicts, we’ll be profiling a different NASCAR driver or team each week from now until the season starts or something big happens, like a major announcement from NASCAR or the release of a new Danica Patrick calendar.
We’ve already discussed Jimmie Johnson’s historic dominance of the sport. In the coming weeks we’ll look at some of the top runners up in the Sprint Cup Chase, in no particular order. Starting today with the man who finished fifth in the 2009 standings: Denny Hamlin.
Denny Hamlin and his FedEx Express car made an impressive showing in the Sprint Cup last year, just his fourth full year on the circuit. His four wins in 2009 doubled his career total.
Although Hamlin just joined the Cup Series in 2005, his racing career began much earlier. Much, much earlier. Hamlin began racing go carts back in 1987 at the ripe old age of 7. He won the first event he entered and never slowed down. His family saw something in him early on and poured their support, both emotional and financial, into launching his career.
By sixteen he was winning NASCAR mini-stock races. By his 22nd birthday he had ten NASCAR wins under his belt.
Now, he’s partnered with Joe Gibbs Racing and working with crew chief Mike Ford (ironic, considering he drives a Toyota) and a he’s a legitimate contender for Sprint Cup Champion in 2010. With more experience behind him than his young age would indicate, Denny Hamlin is one of the promising drivers to watch in 2010 and beyond.
