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A22 SPORTS
Wednesday 28 august 2019
Hamlin cites

new maturity in

turnaround season

By JENNA FRYER "I just think eventually you
AP Auto Racing Writer get older," said Hamlin,
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — who turns 39 at the end of
Denny Hamlin has not fin- the season, has been rac-
ished lower than fifth since ing full-time in Cup for 14
early July and his current years and is father to two
six-race streak includes two young daughters. "I got a
victories in the last four rac- couple kids now, seeing
es, a pair of runner-ups and them grow up, (I'm) just do-
a third-place finish. ing a lot of growth on and
A year removed from the off the racetrack. As I've
first winless season of his focused on being a bet-
NASCAR career, Hamlin is ter person outside the race
officially a title threat again. car, it is directly, whether Denny Hamlin, center, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Aug.
He is third in the standings, it be coincidence or not, 17, 2019, in Bristol, Tenn.
tied with Joe Gibbs Racing it's directly linked to my on Associated Press
teammates Kyle Busch and track performance."
Martin Truex Jr. with Cup-se- Hamlin won at least one lot of soul searching, things JGR executive J.D. Gibbs, have this kind of year, it
ries highs of four wins each, race each year his first 12 like that, to figure out what who is credited with dis- just makes me realize how
and has the confidence to seasons and in 2010 and makes me happy and be- covering Hamlin and bring- much we miss (J.D) and
finally grab his first champi- 2014 had clear shots to win ing content with kind of ing him to the powerhouse how much he means to our
onship. the Cup title only to squan- who I am, the successes NASCAR team. Joe Gibbs race team, what he means
Hamlin heads to Darlington der both opportunities. The and the failures. Everyone believe Gabehart has been to Denny, too."
Raceway for Sunday night's 2010 failure to Jimmie John- is imperfect. You've got to steady for Hamlin, and that Gabehart doesn't think he's
Southern 500. He is a two- son eventually led Hamlin embrace it." winning races in honor of done anything beyond
time winner at Darlington to a sports psychologist, Joe Gibbs has seen the J.D. Gibbs has been a moti- developing chemistry with
and his average finish on but the recent changes changes this season, which vating factor. Hamlin. "Chemistry is a very
one of the most challeng- have been driven solely by also coincide with the pair- "I think Chris deserves a fragile thing. It's something
ing tracks in NASCAR is sixth. Hamlin. ing of a new crew chief. lot of credit. I think he's re- you can gain quickly and
After patiently chasing "More so than anything, Chris Gabehart led Hamlin ally got Denny grounded," lose just as quickly," Gabe-
down Matt DiBenedetto in I've just grown up," he said. to a season-opening Day- Gibbs said. "I think when hart said. "It comes down
the closing laps at Bristol "I mean, I've really seen the tona 500 victory — his sec- you get a lot of confidence to trust and faith in one an-
Motor Speedway, Hamlin sport, seen it evolve over ond Daytona win — and going with the crew chief, other, faith in this group. I
briefly revealed he has put the last 14 years. I see my immediately put last year's it makes a huge difference. think trust is earned, it's not
in personal work this year kids grow up. I don't know, winless season behind the It's a huge deal for me something that's given. I
to be more accountable eventually you've got to No. 11 team. when I see J.D. (the name) think fortunately we got off
while focusing on improv- grow up and see the big- The win came less than a over the door in the win- on a good foot, Denny and
ing himself overall. ger picture. I think for me, a month after the death of ner's circle. Seeing Denny I, this race team.q

Continued from Page 18 "Super excited when I got from home can help.
Pressel has played on five the call from Juli that she "I think when everybody is
Solheim Cup teams dating wanted me on her team," chanting, 'USA, USA,' it can
to 2007, the year she won Pressel said. "It's a huge get a little bit overwhelm-
the Kraft Nabisco Cham- honor to play for Juli, to ing," Inkster said. "When it's
pionship at 18 to become play for Team USA. And like just you and your partner
at the time the young- she said, to have my team- out there, I think you set-
est woman to win a major mates want me as part of tle in a little bit more as a
championship. Pressel has the squad, as well, is defi- team."
lost only once in five singles nitely a confidence boost- Pressel made her Solheim
matches in the Solheim er. I feel like I've been play- Cup debut in Sweden in
Cup.She didn't play in the ing really well, especially 2007 and beat Annika So-
last Solheim Cup, a U.S. vic- this summer." renstam in singles.
tory in Iowa. Pressel showed Inkster is captain for the "I do remember on Sunday
enough form for Inkster to third straight time, and she how quiet that golf course
take her, particularly a tie will have a chance to be- Stacy Lewis tees off on the third hole during the first round of the got compared to the first
for fourth in the Women's come the only captain with CP Women's Open in Aurora, Ontario, Thursday Aug. 22, 2019. couple days," Pressel said.
British Open earlier this three victories since the Sol- Associated Press "That's definitely our goal
month at Woburn. It was heim Cup began in 1990. and something that the
the third top 10 of the year Missing from the U.S. team that have hampered her Jessica and Nelly Korda, Li- rookies will be able to ex-
for Pressel, whose last — is Cristie Kerr, who had career. zette Salas, Angel Yin, Ma- perience.
and only second — victory played on nine consecu- They are among seven rina Alex, Brittany Altomare, But just controlling emo-
was in 2008 at Kapalua. tive Solheim Cup teams players who were in Iowa Annie Park and Megan tions I think is the big deal
Inkster said she spoke to the dating to 2002. Brittany last year who will not be Khang. in the Solheim Cup. ... For
10 players who qualified Lincicome is on maternity part of this team. Inkster said while experi- those experiencing it for
and listened to who they leave, while Michelle Wie The qualifiers were Lexi ence matters, making a the first time, it can be cer-
wanted to fill out the team. is recovering from injuries Thompson, Danielle Kang, Solheim Cup debut away tainly overwhelming."q