This week: Hamlin, who has scored one top-10 finish in four starts at California Speedway, posted the fastest speed during preseason testing at the two-mile track with a lap of 182.523 mph. For that reason, he can’t wait to get back out West. “We had a good test there, had a very good engine package, and our intermediate Camry performed really well, so I am optimistic,” said Hamlin.

Last week: After leading five times for 32 laps, Hamlin thought his chances of winning the 500 were excellent. But a pit-road incident on lap 120 severely limited him, and he finished 17th. “We were really good, but after that contact with the 43 (Bobby Labonte) on pit road we just never were the same,” Hamlin said. “The damage took a toll on our handling, and we just couldn’t get it back.”

Etc.: Hamlin said a key to this weekend will be “to get through practice without putting any unnecessary strain on the engine because of California’s reputation for being extremely hard on engines. We have to be really sharp in practice.”

Hookscenter.com wire report.