Denny Hamlin drove the car -- and golf balls -- at AMS on Tuesday with PGA star Davis Love III. Credit: Autostock

Hamlin, Love share drives of their lives

Cup rookie, PGA Tour headliner reverse roles at AMS appearance

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Nextel Cup contender Denny Hamlin and PGA Tour star Davis Love III were at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Tuesday to unveil a new paint scheme that Hamlin will drive in the Bass Pro Shops 500 on Oct. 29.

	ALSO "I'm ready," Davis Love III said before hitting the racetrack. "I grew up a racing fan and I've had some lessons with the Richard Petty Racing Experience. My wife isn't too happy that I'm here today."  •   Complete story, click here •   PGA.com: Q&A with Love

The scheme recognizes the FedExCup -- the PGA Tour's season-long points championship set to launch in 2007 that culminates with a four-tournament playoff, similar to the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

The season-ending PGA Tour Championship will be held at Atlanta's East Lake Golf Club. The winner of the FedExCup will receive a $10 million bonus.

Hamlin, who also is the Cup Series' leading rookie, is fifth in the point standings. He is 51 points behind leader Jeff Burton through four Chase races. The series rolls into Charlotte this week for the Bank of America 500 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (7 p.m. Saturday on NBC).

Love rode shotgun while Hamlin drove the No. 11 FedExCup car -- painted to resemble a golf ball with dimples all over the body -- around the high-banks of AMS.

Love, a Georgia native, is a long-time NASCAR fan and has enjoyed friendships with several drivers for more than a decade. He has 19 wins -- including the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro this past weekend -- and ranks fourth on the PGA's all-time money list with $34,344,348.

"I'm going to go as hard as I can until I scare myself," Hamlin said when asked if he was going to try to scare Love on the drive.

PHOTO GALLERY • Davis Love and Denny Hamlin exchange driving tips at Atlanta Different worldsDenny Hamlin and Davis Love III hit the track at AMS Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

After Hamlin turned several laps in the No. 11 Chevrolet, Love got his turn wheeling the car around AMS.

"Denny was going so fast, it seemed like he was constantly turning; like the track was a complete circle," Love said. "When I drove, I could actually tell there were straightaways."

Both men also have a mutual respect for the other's sport.

"It was amazing that Denny could get in a car he has never driven and on the third lap, be wide open," Love said.

After they got in their hot laps, Love gave Hamlin some driving tips of his own, as the two launched golf balls down pit road toward Turn One.