Injured #11-Denny Hamlin told ESPN.com on Saturday there is a 50-50 chance he’ll return to his Sprint Cup car next weekend at Richmond.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver said it’s almost 100% he will at least start the May 5 race at Talladega. Hamlin was expected to miss six weeks after suffering a compression fracture in his lower back on the last lap of the March 24 race at Auto Club Speedway. That would have put his scheduled return at the May 11 race at Darlington.
But Hamlin said if the follow-up scan of the fracture that will take place either late Tuesday or early Wednesday shows bone growth he will be in the car at his home track in Richmond if doctors give him clearance. “If everything works out, and if the scan looks the way I feel we’re going to be in good shape for Richmond,” Hamlin said after the final practice for Sunday’s race at Kansas. “I feel there’s been growth there. I feel I’ve gotten stronger. Everything is a lot better. Last week, I would have said probably not. But this week I feel a lot better.” Hamlin said there won’t be another scan for two weeks after this week’s.
Even if he is not given clearance for Richmond, the plan is to start Talladega to collect driver points and give way to a backup driver after the first caution. Hamlin said there is no consideration for starting and then putting a backup driver in at Richmond because he would lose at least two laps making the exchange at the three-quarter mile track.
Hamlin said he’s been off pain medicine for a week and a half, so that won’t be an issue with getting medical clearance. He is confident after looking at the crash data from Auto Club Speedway that it would be tough to duplicate what led to his injury. (full story at ESPN.com)
