DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- When Denny Hamlin asked fans to tell him why they wanted to go to Sunday's Daytona 500, Bradley Brown wrote of his disability and his grandson who has autism. But the line that impressed Hamlin most was the way Brown closed his e-mail:
"I'd be his hero if I could take him," he wrote.
Brown will get that chance. The Middleburg, Fla., native and 12 year-old Benny Martin were picked to attend the race as Hamlin's guests.
"Denny's mother called me (Wednesday) and said we were going," Brown said. "I'm pretty stoked over being able to take my grandson to his first race."
The youngster has watched practice at Daytona Inter-national Speedway, but Sunday's race will be his first.
"It hurts to know that some fans won't be able to go to races because we're in this tough economic time," Hamlin said. "That's why I decided to do this. I want people to sit in my seats. This is my way to give back a little to the best fans in sports."
The driver of the No. 11 FedEx Toyota plans to give away tickets for every race.
using BACKUPS: Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray finished one-two in the Budweiser Shootout a week ago. Both will use those same cars in Sunday's race.
McMurray wrecked in Wednesday's practice session and switched to his backup car before Thursday's 150-mile qualifying races. Harvick hit the fourth-turn wall Friday.
RACING MOMS: There's a new Web site and blog for women who want to share their passion for racing. It's called RacingMom.com.
Women can read stories and interviews of other racing moms, as well as getting race day recipes and activities. The first mom to be interviewed will be Donna Labonte , the wife of 2000 series champion Bobby Labonte .
OTHER PLANS: Hamlin, a member of the Joe Gibbs Racing operation, skipped practice so the team could concentrate on changing the engine and suspension parts for Sunday's race.
Reach Don Coble at don.coble@morris.com.
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