Hamlin has high hopes entering Chase

The first rookie to make the Chase last year, he is now a
contender for the title.

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Denny Hamlin caught NASCAR by surprise last season, quietly winning two races and finishing third in the standings, the first rookie to make the Chase for the championship.

This year, he has spoken out to force pit crew changes, refused to back down to teammate Tony Stewart and proclaimed himself a title contender. He’s also spent nine weeks running second to Jeff Gordon in the points standings.

“The very first year, you are trying to gain a lot of friends and be respectful,” Hamlin said. “And I definitely still am, but this year I just feel a lot more comfortable. Being in the Chase and understanding how it works, I definitely feel a lot more secure.”

Although Hamlin opens the Chase at New Hampshire International Speedway seeded sixth in the standings, he’s feeling the pressure of a favorite. There are big hopes after a sophomore season in which he won once — on this track in July — and had 15 top-10 finishes.

Has chance to win

“Last year we were just happy to be in it, and anything after that was going to be a bonus,” Hamlin said. “This year, it’s a little more stressful because we go into it knowing that we’re capable of winning the Chase. If things go our way, I know for a fact that we can.”

However, the last thing crew chief Mike Ford wants is his driver fretting about the final standings.

“Expectations are now a little higher, and Denny is putting more weight on his shoulders to perform. I think that’s dangerous because that’s when mistakes happen,” Ford said.

Ford’s challenge is keeping the intense 26-year-old driver on an even keel and challenging him to make the next 10 weeks fun. It may not be easy. After all, Hamlin has shown a side to him this season that he made a conscious effort to stifle during his rookie year.

“He’s got a backbone,” Ford said. “He is incredibly honest. He’s going to say what’s on his mind, and he usually takes an unbiased look at things before he says them. He doesn’t see anything wrong with telling the truth, and last year he hid that.

“He probably kept his mouth shut a lot of times he shouldn’t have. But he’s more comfortable in his skin now and doesn’t feel like the new kid anymore.”