Denny Hamlin, one of the favourites to challenge and/or stop Jimmie Johnson’s quest for Five straight NASCAR Sprint Cup titles injured his left ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in a pre-racing-season basketball game with friends.
Hamlin, who drives a Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing had victories in two of the final ten Chase to the Cup races in 2009 finishing fifth in the standings.
During NASCAR’s annual media tour Hamlin said "I feel I'm as focused as I've ever been when I get to a race track, and as confident as I've ever been.”
"We might not go out there the first six months and win six races, eight races before the Chase, but I guarantee you when we get to the Chase, we're going to be set up and prepared to make a run similar to what we did this past year."
Speaking to a number of US media through his team in Charlotte, Hamlin has decided not to have surgery until later this year, because it is claimed the injury will not affect his ability to drive. After the 2009 season ended, in December, he had surgery on his right meniscus.
Hamlin wrote, on Twitter, “I have always been very active outside of racing, mostly to stay in shape. This is a minor setback that will only serve as motivation for me. No matter what people may think this injury will not stop me from being a contender this year.”
photo:René Fagnan Auto123.com
Hamlin, who drives a Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing had victories in two of the final ten Chase to the Cup races in 2009 finishing fifth in the standings.
During NASCAR’s annual media tour Hamlin said "I feel I'm as focused as I've ever been when I get to a race track, and as confident as I've ever been.”
"We might not go out there the first six months and win six races, eight races before the Chase, but I guarantee you when we get to the Chase, we're going to be set up and prepared to make a run similar to what we did this past year."
Speaking to a number of US media through his team in Charlotte, Hamlin has decided not to have surgery until later this year, because it is claimed the injury will not affect his ability to drive. After the 2009 season ended, in December, he had surgery on his right meniscus.
Hamlin wrote, on Twitter, “I have always been very active outside of racing, mostly to stay in shape. This is a minor setback that will only serve as motivation for me. No matter what people may think this injury will not stop me from being a contender this year.”
photo:René Fagnan Auto123.com