On Sunday night at Richmond Raceway, Denny Hamlin emerged victorious in the NASCAR Cup Series race after a thrilling finish. Hamlin, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, secured the win in overtime after a caution with two laps remaining.
Hamlin's teammate, Martin Truex Jr., had dominated the race's second half by leading an impressive 288 laps. Truex appeared set to fend off challenges from Joey Logano and Hamlin in the final laps until a caution was triggered when Kyle Larson was nudged from behind, sending him into the infield.
Following the caution, Hamlin capitalized on the restart, holding off Truex and other contenders to clinch the surprise victory. This win marked Hamlin's second victory of the season, his fifth career win at Richmond Raceway, and the 53rd win of his career.
Despite the intense competition, NASCAR confirmed that the restart was within the rules, addressing concerns raised by Truex regarding Hamlin's tactics. Truex, visibly disappointed, expressed his determination to bounce back in the upcoming races.
The victory at Richmond Raceway brought the four Gibbs Toyota teams level with the four Chevrolet teams from Hendrick Motorsports, each boasting three victories through seven races this season.
Logano, who had started the race in 22nd place in points, showcased a strong performance, finishing second behind Hamlin. Larson, the defending race winner, secured the third spot, with Truex settling for fourth place.
The race, which was initially delayed due to rain, saw drivers navigating challenging conditions before Hamlin emerged triumphant in the dramatic finish. The series now heads to Martinsville Speedway in Virginia for the next race in the short track swing.
Sources: AP NASCAR
