Auto racing: Four years later, Denny Hamlin gets another shot at Sprint Cup title
Denny Hamlin had a championship within his sights before, four years ago when the Sprint Cup title was his to lose.
It slipped away over the final two races of the season, including a demoralizing defeat at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. He arrived in Phoenix as the points leader and had Jimmie Johnson on the ropes as Hamlin led more than half the laps and appeared headed to the win.
Instead, he needed to make a late stop for fuel that took him out of contention for the victory. The disappointment carried into the season finale the following week as Hamlin was flat and battled nerves on a day he could have claimed his first NASCAR championship. Instead, watched Johnson celebrate a fifth consecutive title.
Four seasons later, Hamlin feels he’s more prepared for this opportunity even though the format has changed and he doesn’t believe his Joe Gibbs Racing team is as strong as it was in 2010.
Hamlin goes into today’s race at Phoenix tied for the series points lead with Joey Logano and needing to finish only 11th or better to get into next week’s championship finale.
“We have a position where we can control our own destiny,” he said. “I feel like this year the pressure on our race team is a lot less than what it was in 2010. The expectations are a lot less from the media and the fans’ perspective.
“So with that, you just race a little bit looser, and I’ve been in this position before and nerves aren’t going to be an issue. I’ve done this tons of times, been part of a championship picture, but everyone’s got to do their part, including myself.”
Hamlin will start from the pole today, with Chase for the Sprint Cup championship contenders Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Logano and Matt Kenseth right behind him. Down to eight drivers in the Chase field, there are four spots in next week’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway up for grabs. A win at Phoenix will earn a Chase driver an automatic berth into the championship race.
Nationwide Series
Chase Elliott has become the youngest champion in NASCAR history by wrapping up the Nationwide Series title Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
The 18-year-old rookie is the youngest driver to win a title in any of NASCAR’s three national series.
He clinched the championship for JR Motorsports with a fifth-place finish at Phoenix. His official celebration will have to wait until next week’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Formula One
Nico Rosberg edged Mercedes teammate and title rival Lewis Hamilton to take pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo today.
Rosberg was fastest with a lap of 1 minute, 10.023 seconds, just 0.033 seconds ahead of Hamilton. Local favorite Felipe Massa was third followed by teammate Valtteri Bottas.