Fit'n Fast Driver of the week: Denny Hamlin

"Photo used with permission: Debbie Ross/Skirts and Scuffs"

Denny Hamlin has been in the spotlight for two weeks now- with the $25,000 fine that NASCAR issued after comments he made about the Gen 6 car after the Subway Fresh Fit 500 in Phoenix, Arizona. Hamlin's immediate reaction was that he wouldn't pay the fine, and after careful consideration, Hamlin tweeted that he would not appeal the fine, but to stand by his original decision.

NASCAR issued a statement immediately,

" The $25,000 fine assessed to driver Denny Hamlin on March 7 will be settled per Section 12-3 of the 2013 NASCAR rule book after being informed by Hamlin that he will not appeal the penalty."

So the matter is now closed. I do have an opinion about this, yet, I've kept it to myself. Not in fear of people disagreeing, but more so because I don't have all the fine details surrounding the situation. I have a lot of respect for Hamlin, and raise my glass to him for standing his ground on such a hot topic.

On to racing: Hamlin started the Food City 500 race in Bristol in third spot. The No. 11 FedEx Toyota was a fast car- holding strong in the lead for the majority of the race. An incident between he and former teammate Joey Lagano changed the outcome of the race. While Logano tried to maintain a lead position, he drove the highline in front of Hamlin. There was room between them, but not enough. Hamlin 'tapped' the left rear bumper of the No. 22 Ford, and Logano spun out of control, hit the wall and damaged the rear of the car. Though Logano was able to finish the race in 17th position, and Hamlin finished in 23rd, Logano had some unresolved anger left after the race. After climbing out of his car, Logano approached Hamlin's car, was able to get close but he was held off by Hamlin's team. A fight started between crew members, but it was broken up before it turned into a UFC match of its own.
A reporter asked Logano what he said to Hamlin, but the 22 year old declined to comment, saying instead, "that's for me to know, and him to know." However, he sent some comments to Hamlin via twitter. Their accounts are: @dennyhamlin and @joeylogano.

It's Bristol. It's a short track with high banking- and it's very common that there's a lot of beating and banging between drivers. A fight is inevitable -and it's fair to say Logano and Hamlin are rivals. How long it lasts between the two is the question, and I'm sure fans will pay close attention.

J.D. Gibbs, Hamlin, Darian Grubb
at Bristol Motor Speedway August 2012
Photo taken by: Genevieve

Hamlin has yet to join Kasey Kahne, or  Jimmie Johnson in 5Ks, half-marathons, or triathlons but that doesn't make him any less of an athlete. The new-father has played basketball, baseball, and golf; and has
 is quiet about his choice of exercise as of a late. It's safe to assume the back injury he had last summer has kept him on the sidelines for awhile now. He tweets often about racing karts at the Moorseville Karting track with other drivers in the NASCAR series.