Hamlin excited for drivers' race at FC 500

Denny Hamlin embraces the challenge of Bristol Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Toyota has the knowledge of a racer with two decades of Cup Series experience and the skills to take advantage of that information. Hamlin, with 61 career Cup Series victories, is now in sole possession of 10th-place on the all-time win list. He looking forward to Sunday's Food City 500, the first race at Bristol with NASCAR's new 750 horsepower engine package. "We're going to be a little bit more prepared when we go to Bristol," Hamlin said. "I certainly think the 11 team has some improvement to do, but we're excited about it. Any time you have less downforce and more power, it's going to put it back in the driver's hands." That's good news for the Virginia native, finally getting his due as one of NASCAR's all-time great drivers. He's a three-time Daytona 500 winner and a four-time winner at Bristol, including the 2024 Food City 500, which had extreme tire wear and a record number of lead changes. "I think the '24 Food City is still kind of legendary. People talking about how fun it was to watch," Hamlin said. "But, there's a balance there. I love the tire saving aspect of it. I also want to be able to run 100 percent at times. It's a tough, tough balance, and you just never know what you're going to get. Whatever puts on the best show for the fans, that's what I'm all for." The fans, many who booed Hamlin in years' past, have grown to appreciate him as a racer and a person. He was literally three laps from winning his first NASCAR title when a caution at Phoenix and a pit call cost him the championship. During the offseason, a fire at his parents' home killed his father and left his mother severely injured. Hamlin even debated if he wanted to continue racing. He not only has continued, but is one of the circuit's top drivers again with an early win at Las Vegas and currently third in the points. He's been even more successful as a car owner. The co-owner of 23XI Racing with basketball legend Michael Jordan, their driver Tyler Reddick has won four of the first seven races this season. "I'm a little surprised. You certainly don't plan on winning as many races as they have this early in the season," Hamlin said. "Four wins would have been a really good goal to have for them for the entire season. Now, they still got 30 races left to go and lots of opportunities." As for Hamlin, he's part of a prestigious group with four wins at Bristol. That includes Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and Bobby Allison. The secret to being successful at the "Last Great Colosseum" is being able to go fast high or low. "We've really learned to be good in multiple lanes of the track, so being able to run the same lap time, no matter which lane you're running," Hamlin said. "That's been the key for passing lapped cars. Passing for position, you got to be versatile. If you get pinned to one lane, you're always going to have the traffic. You've got to have a car that can be versatile, especially in the bumps and turns one and two up in the high lane."