We’ve collected some quotables from NASCAR Cup Series drivers concerning this weekend’s racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway…
Company: FedEx
Denny Hamlin and FedEx Unveil New Paint Scheme, Paying Tribute to Small Business Owners
MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 21, 2020 – Ahead of this weekend’s race at Charlotte, FedEx and Denny Hamlin unveiled a brand-new paint scheme that recognizes small business owners across the United States.
The paint scheme features a series of stars along the rear panel, which honors the role small business owners play across the country. #SupportSmall is also included on the hood to highlight FedEx support of small businesses during the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s an honor to unveil this new paint scheme, which acknowledges small businesses, the backbone of America,” said Hamlin. “I am from a small business family, so I know how important they are, not just to local communities, but to the country. To all small business owners out there, thank you for everything you do. I can’t wait to recognize you on the track this weekend.”
FedEx understands how small businesses strengthen the economy, which is why during these trying times, they have committed to providing $1 million in grants. FedEx #SupportSmall Grants will provide small business recipients with $5,000, plus a $500 credit from FedEx Office to use for printing, posters, custom branded boxes, floor decals, and more. Small business owners can visit fedex.com/supportsmallgrants to find out more information about how to apply and eligibility.
FedEx also collaborated with BigCommerce, an open SaaS e-commerce platform, to help small and medium businesses get online fast and affordably. More information about how FedEx and BigCommerce can help your small business is available at FedEx.com/bigcommerce.
Denny Hamlin FedEx Racing Express Facts – Virtual Richmond Raceway
Denny Hamlin
#11 “Thank you FedEx team members” Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Virtual Race Info:
Race: Toyota Owners Pro Invitational
Date/Time: Sunday, April 19/1 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 150 Laps
Track Length: 0.75 miles
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 14 degrees
Express Notes:
eNASCAR Bristol Recap: Denny Hamlin clawed his way from the back of the pack to a fourth-place finish in the April 5 eNASCAR Pro Invitational Series event at virtual Bristol Motor Speedway, earning a top-five in the “Thank you FedEx team members” Toyota. The event was the third in the iRacing video simulation series and the first featuring heat races before the main event. Hamlin spun and incurred damage during his 50-lap heat race, relegating him to the back of the starting grid. Rolling off 26th for the 150-lap main event, he raced with the damage for much of the day, gradually making his way toward the front. Once he reached the top 10, Hamlin used a fast repair – one of two “resets” allowed – to fix his FedEx Camry and give him a chance to race the leaders. He gained six more positions in the remaining laps but never caught up with the dominant car of William Byron, who led most of the day and won the race.
eNASCAR Richmond Preview: After a top-five finish at virtual Bristol, Hamlin will climb back into his iRacing rig on Sunday at his simulated hometown track of Richmond Raceway. Hamlin will look to add another win to his Pro Invitational Series run, in which he has one win and two top-five finishes through three races.
Hamlin and FedEx Provide Food Bank Donation: Ahead of this weekend’s eNASCAR event in Richmond, Hamlin and FedEx will donate more than 60,000 meals to the Chesterfield, Va., Food Bank. The Chesterfield Food Bank has seen an increase in demand since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, and the donation to the community in Hamlin’s hometown will provide much needed support. The 60,000 meals donated will provide food to more than 4,400 Chesterfield families for a week.
FedEx “Thank You” Paint Scheme: For Sunday’s eNASCAR event at virtual Richmond, the #11 car will pay tribute to the 475,000 FedEx team members who are working to deliver shipments around the world safely and securely during the COVID-19 pandemic. A special “Thank You” FedEx paint scheme will recognize all the FedEx team members who are working hard to deliver critical medical supplies and equipment to the healthcare community as well as basic goods to people at home.
Hamlin Conversation – Virtual Richmond:
What led you to making the donation to the Richmond Food Bank?
“Chesterfield will always be my home, so during these unprecedented and difficult times, we wanted to provide assistance to people in the community. I am grateful to FedEx for supporting a community that is so close to my heart. The people of Chesterfield are in my thoughts, and I know we will come through this stronger than before.”
You’ve been to Victory Lane at the real Richmond Raceway. Do you think you can do it virtually?
“Obviously, iRacing isn’t exactly the same as being behind the wheel of our real FedEx Camry, but it’s about as close as you can get using simulations. We’ve got one win already in this iRacing series, so I definitely think we can do it again.”
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION | START | FINISH | LAPS | STATUS | LED |
| Mar. 22 | Dixie Vodka 150 | Homestead | 9 | 1 | 100/100 | Running | 14 |
| Mar. 29 | O’Reilly 125 | Texas | 17 | 24 | 125/125 | Running | 0 |
| Apr. 5 | Food City Showdown | Bristol | 26 | 4 | 150/150 | Running | 0 |
| Averages/Totals | 17.3 | 9.6 | 100% | 14 | |||
FedEx Racing Express Facts – Virtual Bristol Motor Speedway
Virtual Race Info:
Race: Food City Showdown
Date/Time: Sunday, April 5/1 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 150 Laps
Track Length: 0.533 miles
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 24-28 degrees
eNASCAR Texas Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 24th in Sunday’s iRacing Pro Invitational Series virtual NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway, after a late-race speeding penalty put him back in the running order followed by an on-track incident in the closing laps. Timmy Hill was the race winner. Hamlin qualified 17th and decided to fall to the back of the field at the start to avoid wrecks near the front. With only one “reset” in the race, meaning a new car with no damage, Hamlin felt it was imperative to keep his nose clean early on. He moved up in the order following a pit strategy to stay out during a caution mid-race to take the lead for a restart, but the older tires proved disadvantageous, as he slid back near 20th position. From there, he worked back up near the top 10 before a round of green-flag pit stops. However, Hamlin sped entering pit road and incurred a 40-second penalty, dropping him two laps down.
eNASCAR Bristol Preview: Three weeks into the iRacing series, the eNASCAR Pro Invitational Series is virtually traveling to Bristol Motor Speedway for its first event at a short track. Hamlin will look to get the FedEx Freight Toyota to Victory Lane again like he did two weeks ago in virtual Homestead.
FedEx “Thank You” Paint Scheme: For Sunday’s eNASCAR event at virtual Bristol, the #11 car will pay tribute to the 475,000 FedEx team members who are working to deliver shipments around the world safely and securely during the COVID-19 pandemic. A special “Thank You” FedEx paint scheme will recognize all the FedEx team members who are working hard to deliver critical medical supplies and equipment to the healthcare community as well as basic goods to people at home.
Hamlin Conversation – Virtual Bristol:
Will you change your strategy for Bristol, knowing it didn’t pan out for Texas?
“Bristol is a completely different kind of racetrack, so the strategy we used at Texas probably wouldn’t work for a short track like Bristol. I’ll definitely be getting my practice laps in to make sure we get a good finish. The last time we were at the real Bristol Motor Speedway, we went to Victory Lane. So, we’d love to do that virtually, too, for sure. We have a special paint scheme again to thank all the FedEx team members for their hard work during challenging times. We didn’t really get a great finish for them last week, so we want to make it up to them.”
Have you been encouraged by the number of fans who are watching the virtual races on TV?
“It’s been great to see how many fans are watching on TV, following on my Twitch stream and keeping up on social media. Sports fans don’t have a lot to watch right now, so the fact that we can put on a show for them, keep them interested and get them cheering, that’s great for our sport.”
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION | START | FINISH | LAPS | STATUS | LED |
| Mar. 22 | Dixie Vodka 150 | Homestead | 9 | 1 | 100/100 | Running | 14 |
| Mar. 29 | O’Reilly 125 | Texas | 17 | 24 | 125/125 | Running | 0 |
| Averages/Totals | 13 | 12.5 | 100% | 14 | |||
FedEx Racing Express Facts – Virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway
Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Express Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Virtual Race Info:
Race: eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series event
Date/Time: Sunday, March 22/1:30 p.m. ET
Race Distance: 100 laps/150 miles
Track Shape: Oval
Track Length: 1.5 miles
Banking: 18-20 degrees
Express Notes:
New Series: With the on-track action of the NASCAR Cup Series postponed for the next several weeks, Denny Hamlin is among the drivers slated to compete in the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, a simulation-style eSports program, with the inaugural event on Sunday, March 22, at the virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Hamlin Conversation – Virtual Homestead:
How much will this Sunday’s iRace feel like real racing?
“The simulators are pretty realistic. We’ve all used them to help ourselves improve on some of the tracks and road courses over the years. It will feel just like I’m turning laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”
Obviously, a virtual race doesn’t replace on-track racing, but do you feel like this will help boost the mood of race fans?
“We sure hope so. You can’t replace the real thing, but fans will still be able to sit down and watch a race on TV on Sunday afternoon. The cars will all look realistic. I’ll be racing my FedEx Express Toyota, which looks just like the real race car. And even though it’s a virtual race, I’ll still be proud to represent FedEx. They’ve got nearly half a million team members working hard right now to keep critical shipments moving in a challenging time.”