Denny Hamlin took full advantage of his Raybestos Brakes in Saturday night’s Air Guard 400 race at Richmond International Raceway, leading 251 laps in the No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota on his way to victory at the 3/4-mile “Action Track.”
Hamlin’s victory represents the FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN for Joe Gibbs Racing at Richmond International Raceway. Equipped with Raybestos brakes, the Joe Gibbs cars have now won an amazing NINE OUT OF PAST ELEVEN races on tracks less than a mile in length.
Hamlin’s teammates delivered similarly impressive performances in their Raybestos-equipped machines at Richmond. Kyle Busch, in the No. 18 M&Ms Toyota of Joe Gibbs Racing, started 32nd and charged through the entire field to finish 2nd. Joey Logano, in the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota, finished in 4th position.
To gain a competitive advantage at Richmond, the Joe Gibbs cars are equipped with the Raybestos Sprint Cup short track brake package, including Raybestos legendary high-friction racing brake pads. The ultra-lightweight aluminum alloy Raybestos six-piston calipers are the stiffest and lightest calipers available in all of NASCAR. The innovative calipers were developed using Raybestos technology partner Alcon’s state of the art “optimized design” process, and include an asymmetric body design and advanced between-piston and crossover cooling features. The brake package also provides for the largest brake pad volume (surface area) and largest rotor (13.15” outside diameter, and 1.65” thick) available in NASCAR.
Hamlin started his No. 11 FedEx Office Toyota in the 14th position and battled loose conditions early on, but quickly found the handle on his Camry and began his climb to the front of the field. Fittingly by lap 111 the No. 11 had taken his first lead of the race and quickly proved that he intended to defend his victory from one year ago on his hometown track. Hamlin would go on to lead six times for 251 laps and managed to hold off his teammates to earn the victory. It was Hamlin’s Sprint Cup Series leading sixth victory of the season and boosts him into the top spot when the Chase for the Championship begins next week in New Hampshire.
For more information on the Raybestos Sprint Cup braking system, or for questions on any Raybestos brand brake or chassis products, visit www.raybestos.com or call (800) 323-0354.
