Denny Hamlin wins Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond in controversial overtime finish
When no one saw it coming, Denny Hamlin came out of nowhere to steal the win at his home track at Richmond Raceway. Hamlin stole this one over his NASCAR teammate, Martin Truex Jr. as the race went to overtime.
Bubba Wallace spun Kyle Larson out with two laps to go. Then, Denny Hamlin went to pit road and his team rocked it. He got out in the lead and on the restart he just flat out beat the other drivers.
Martin Truex Jr. is going to be upset about this one for a while. He led more than half the race, now he’s going home without a trophy. MTJ was mad at Larson and Hamlin after the race.
Kyle Larson takes Stage 1 on wet weather tires
The first part of the first stage was run with wet weather tires. Just the second time the NASCAR Cup Series has used these tires on an oval, and the first time in a points paying race. Larson led from the pole and had a good battle with Bubba Wallace.
It was an easy stage win for Larson who seemed to have the best car in the field. In the first stage, he definitely did, and made the most of his time on those wet weather tires. Winner Denny Hamlin was not great in this first stage.
Quickly moving to the slick tires after 30 laps, these drivers seemed to enjoy themselves that first stage. There were differing strategies and this was looking to be a quality race.
Stage 2 stretches out, curious caution changes strategy
Kyle Larson was strong in the second stage as well. However, other cars started to come alive in the green flag runs. Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Josh Berry were all strong. Joey Logano for the first time in a month had speed and was running up front.
It was the 19 of Truex that really came on strong during this second stage. However, the most consequential moment was a caution in this stage. Kyle Busch got into the wall and NASCAR was quick to throw the caution. It forced everyone, more or less, onto the same tire strategy.
Despite the strategies being leveled, Martin Truex Jr. went on to win the second stage. It was a strong performance for the defending regular season champion and current points leader.
Denny Hamlin wins at Richmond
Now, Denny Hamlin is not going to be a more popular driver after this race. He snuck in there at the end of it and stole it away. Still, that’s what makes NASCAR exciting. These restarts and finishes and the rivalries between drivers, even teammates.
Martin Truex Jr. was not happy with how Denny raced him in overtime. He felt that Hamlin jumped the restart and used him up going into Turn 2. These are two teammates and veteran drivers who know the deal when it comes to these wild overtime races.
Thanks to Bubba Wallace spinning out Kyle Larson, Hamlin got right back into this race when it seemed impossible. There are times when you dominate and times when you find yourself in the right place at the right time.
In the end, Denny Hamlin is going to walk away with the trophy. He didn’t lead the most laps, he wasn’t the best all night, but his pit crew gave him a shot in overtime and he took full advantage of it.