Denny Hamlin will be back behind the wheel of the #11 FedEx Camry this weekend in Charlotte after his heavy-impact crash last weekend at Talladega. Following his release from University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) hospital on Monday morning, Hamlin met with NASCAR’s consulting physician, Dr. Jerry Petty, this week in North Carolina and was cleared to race in the Sprint Cup race this weekend in Charlotte. Hamlin on Talladega: “It was definitely the hardest hit I have ever taken in a race car. It was good to get home, get some rest and take it easy this week. I am feeling better everyday and look forward to getting back in the car this weekend. I need to thank everyone at Talladega and at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Hospital, and also Dr. Petty and the NASCAR medical team for taking care of me. I really appreciate all they did for me and for putting my health above everything else. Thanks to all of the fans for their concern and, of course, thanks to everyone at JGR and #11 team who build really safe cars and that showed last weekend. This sport has made big gains in terms of safety – everything from the cars to the walls and those are big steps in the right direction.”(FedEx Racing PR) AND Hamlin will skip Friday night’s Nationwide Series race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Hamlin had been scheduled to drive in Friday’s Dollar General 300 in Braun Racing’s #10 Toyota. The car will now by driven by Dave Blaney, who gave Braun Racing its first win in the series in this race in 2006.(ESPN)(10-8-2008) UPDATE: #11-Denny Hamlin said he considered skipping Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway because of last weekend’s grinding crash at Talladega Superspeedway. Hamlin lost a tire and slammed into the wall during the Amp Energy 500 at Talladega on Sunday, sending him to University of Alabama-Birmingham hospital for overnight observation. Hamlin opted out of Friday’s Nationwide Series race here, even though he has been cleared to race this weekend. But after considering missing Saturday’s Cup event, Hamlin decided to race. “The most important thing is long-term health, and that’s why we’re sitting tomorrow night’s race out. If I take a hit there then it’s going to be hard for them to clear me on Saturday. I think right now we’re good to go.” Hamlin said he would not have a relief driver standing by Saturday night.(Scene Daily.com)(10-10-2008)
