Standing on the podium in victory lane at Homestead Miami Speedway last November; Denny Hamlin promised that he would challenge for the title in 2010.
Hamlin has lived up to his promise he made a year ago. Heading into HMS this weekend, Hamlin holds a 17 point lead over reigning champion Jimmie Johnson and 47 point edge over Kevin Harvick.
In actuality the pressure is on Hamlin to deliver this weekend.
All season long he has told the media that it was his team that was the one to beat. That he was better than Johnson’s team.
As the season wore on media and his peers began to agree. Arguably, Hamlin and Harvick have been the most consistent all season long.
Even when he went through a slump in the middle part of the season; Hamlin and his team were adamant that there was nothing wrong.
Last week after a disappointing finish in Phoenix, Hamlin made it clear that this team is focused and ready to get the job done.
"That's the mentality I'm going to have next week, is to win the race," Hamlin said. "Full-court press will be on. It will be one of those things where you'll probably see me as aggressive as I've been all year."
It will be far more disappointing if not having enough fuel or a mechanical issue is what cost them a title and not because he is out run.
Hamlin in some ways has grown into his own the last couple years. He has earned the respect of his peers but also had to learn how to deal with fall out of comments he has made.
Hamlin knows that all eyes will be on him on Sunday. Every pit stop and every call will be analyzed.
While Johnson and Harvick have the very least to lose, Hamlin has to get the job done. Complete the promise he made last season that he will win the title in 2010.
If he doesn’t for fans who have been disillusioned by Johnson’s domination it will be just another driver, making another promise.
If Hamlin doesn’t win the title it could be Johnson celebrating and rewriting the history books once again.
First, Johnson and Harvick must get through Hamlin for that title and he is not willing to back down so easily.
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