This week will mark Hamlin's eighth start at Pocono, 136th career Cup start, and a return to the site of Hamlin's first Cup win three years ago. Hamlin's record at the three-turned Pocono Raceway speaks for itself, having won both 2006 races at the track from the pole as a rookie and doing so in dominating fashion. Hamlin, an early favorite heading into the July 2009 event at Pocono Raceway, suffered a fuel pump problem as the field took the green and roared toward turn one. The failure sent Hamlin immediately to the garage where
