Denny Hamlin hot, and now he’s headed for hometown track

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin’s on such a winning roll this NASCAR season, even his biscuits turned out great.

Hamlin won last week at Kansas Speedway, his second Sprint Cup victory of the year. Now, Hamlin is heading to Richmond, one of his favorite layouts. It’s a place where he’s won two of the past four races and usually where he kicks his season into high gear.

Hamlin is eager to keep things going. “Nothing says I can’t win four, five in a row here the next few weeks,” he said Wednesday. “It just seems like there are a bunch of good tracks here for us.”

These days, almost anything Hamlin gets a hand in becomes a success.

He’s having one of his best starts since joining the Sprint Cup series full time in 2006, winning at Phoenix and Kansas and posting top fives at Daytona and Bristol. He’s fifth in points and, with two wins, already has his eyes on NASCAR’s championship chase.

Earlier this month, Hamlin caddied for good friend Bubba Watson in the Masters‘ par-3 tournament - a few days before Watson won the green jacket. “He’s just a good `ole golfer,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin was all smiles again Wednesday, stopping by Darlington on his way to Richmond to visit fans and find out firsthand how to make biscuits at Bojangles. The fast-food chain recently signed a five-year deal to become the Southern 500’s title sponsor and Hamlin eagerly stuck his washed hands into the dough to press out the flaky biscuits.

Hamlin also worked the front counter, dishing out chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy to the lunchtime crowd. When one customer thanked him for a good biscuit, Hamlin grinned with pride.

“I made it myself,” he answered.

Hamlin feels ready to press out several more wins the same way.

“I’ve never gone to Richmond on a win,” said Hamlin, who was born in Florida but grew up in Chesterfield, Va. “It’s always been where our momentum boost is winning at Richmond.”

It will be a jam-packed weekend for Hamlin, who hosts the fifth Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown on Thursday night. The race includes past JGR teammate Tony Stewart and current teammates Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. Hamlin says the money raised will help raise awareness and funding for the specific needs of individuals afflicted with cystic fibrosis along with other programs that support chronically ill children and underprivileged youth.

Hamlin was on hand last week to donate $150,000 from his foundation to Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

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