VEGAS 2011

Denny Hamlin would prove to be the biggest mover on the track today after starting from the back of the field following an engine change and climbing his way to a seventh-place finish to lead Joe Gibbs Racing in today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Hamlin qualified the No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota in the 17th position but had to go to the back of the field to start the race. Often cited for his patience on the track, Hamlin certainly displayed that characteristic today as he methodically worked his way up through the field and into the top ten. Although he gained seven spots over the course of the first seven laps of the race, but Hamlin’s ascent would not always come that fast as the field spread out on green flag runs over the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Speedway. Hamlin continued to climb his way toward the front of the field however and by lap 174 he was closing in on the top ten. Once inside the top ten Hamlin continued to show patience and brought the No. 11 FedEx Ground Camry home with a solid seventh-place effort.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will take a week off before returning at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 20. The race will begin at 1 PM ET with live, high-definition coverage provided by FOX beginning with its pre-race show at Noon ET. The race will also be broadcast live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio Channel 128.