Denny Hamlin prevailed in a four-lap dash to the checkered flag to win a wreck-fest at newly paved Watkins Glen International on Sunday.
Advertisement
The Daytona 500 victor tweeted a picture Tuesday after he received his version of the Harley J. Earl Trophy that goes to drivers who win the Great American Race.
It’s the first road course win of Hamlin’s Cup career and atoned for his stunning loss on the road course at Sonoma in June, when he was beaten by Tony Stewart with a bang on the last turn.
Brad Keselowski (2) leads a group through the esses during a NASCAR Sprint Cup. It’s hard racing, road course, going for the win at the end. With the first set, I felt like we had a top three auto and maybe have a shot at the win, but for some reason with the second set I never got the grip back. “Really doubted being in the race vehicle today, to be honest with you, but can’t say enough about this whole FedEx Freight Toyota team”, he continued. “I’ve finally won at all of the racetracks, so it’s a great accomplishment for us”. “If I felt like we were a contender to win every race right now, then maybe I would want the Chase to begin now”. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led the way from the final restart for four laps until the end of the 90-lap race. Danica Patrick led 11 laps on Sunday, a career best for a single Sprint Cup event, exceeding the seven laps she had led on two occasions at Talladega.
The biggest drama of the afternoon was whether there would be a postrace contretemps between Keselowski and Truex, who rammed and sideswiped Keselowki’s vehicle on the cool-down lap. There were two yellows after Hamlin took the lead on Lap 81, when Kyle Busch and Keselowski ran wide in Turn 1, and Hamlin seized the moment. “I mean, it’s just awesome, insane racing, full contact”.
The chaos of the last lap would see Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski tangle in the final turn, and that would open the door to the Penske Racing star to pounce.
Advertisement
Pole-sitter Carl Edwards finished 15th. Gordon, who came out of retirement and is driving his third race in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports as Dale Earnhardt Jr. recovers from a concussion, will be making his 800th career start. More information will be released in the coming weeks.
