Catchfence

Richmond, VA (November 8, 2010)—If you heard a massive roar in Richmond last night, it wasn’t a thunderclap or an earthquake. It was probably the collective cheering, hooting and hollering of the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area, as hometown hero Denny Hamlin claimed the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points lead with two races remaining in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Chesterfield’s Hamlin now has a 33-point lead over four-time consecutive champion Jimmie Johnson and third-place Kevin Harvick, who is 59 points back. Notching his series-best eighth win of the season, Hamlin is in prime position to claim his first championship, as the points leader with two races remaining has won every Chase since its inception in 2004.

But, as drivers and fans alike know, there’s no room to let up with two races remaining.

“I’m going to race Phoenix as if I’m 33 [points] behind, to be honest with you,” said Hamlin, who cut his racing teeth at Southside Speedway in the Richmond area. “There’s no comfortable margin going into [the final race at] Homestead, because anything can happen. So for me—Phoenix being an up-and-down race track for me—I’ve got to really be focused on practice day to get what I need…just 100 percent stay focused is all I can do.”

Be sure to catch the final two races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to see if hometown hero Denny Hamlin can knock off champion Jimmie Johnson and bring a championship to the Joe Gibbs Racing team. This Sunday’s race at Phoenix International Raceway begins at 3:00 p.m. EST (tickets available at www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com) and the season finale at Homestead-Miami is slated for a 1:00 p.m. EST start time on Sunday, November 21 (tickets available at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com).

NASCAR returns to Richmond International Raceway April 29-30, 2011 for a NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend. Tickets for the Crown Royal Presents The Your Name Here 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the BUBBA burger 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race go on sale January 14, 2011. For information and to stay up to date, please log on to www.rir.com.

About Richmond International Raceway:

Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers exciting night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts all of its major events—two NASCAR Doubleheader weekends, featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series—under the lights on its ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout consistently produces the thrill of side-by-side racing, coupled with high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities (including the new-for-2010 Video Scoring Tower) and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect to experience what “Racing Perfection” truly is. For tickets to events at Richmond International Raceway, call 866-455-RACE or visit www.rir.com online. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RIRInsider.

- Richmond International Raceway, Press Release