First Victory For Denny Hamlin

On August 8, 2016, in Sporting News, by admin

NASCARDenny Hamlin won the Cheez-It 355 at the Glen, before the full house at the Watkins Glen International, and celebrated with a burn out along the whole line, which completely destroyed the rear tires of his Toyota No. 11.

But with all that spectacular celebration of his first victory in a mixed circuit – complete with back pain – the strongest emotions of the day were lived before the checkered flag.

The end result was in suspense until the last corner, when Martin Truex Jr. was close behind Hamlin, who led the last 10 laps of the race, after overtaking Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch into Turn 1, following the resumption of around 81.

However, Truex Jr. could not reach Hamlin because after veering wide on the turn 7, Keselowski made contact with his Toyota No. 77 and made him lose control. Joey Logano, who had won the race last year, used the accident to cross the finish line in 2nd. , followed by Keselowski and AJ Allmendinger, winner in 2014, who in turn was hit Kyle Larson at the exit of the last corner.

Tony Stewart recovered from an error early in the race that cost him 10 places, he finished 5th., Followed by Truex Jr.

“This morning I woke up with back pain and could not move,” Hamlin said after getting off the car and walk it difficult to celebrate with team members. “They give me every two or three months … and maybe I should not have jumped on the car, but I can not thank enough all equipment FedEx Freight Toyota.

“I should win both races on road courses (Sonoma was second behind Stewart), something no one could have predicted at the beginning of the season. This is wonderful. I finally won on all types of tracks. It is a great achievement for us. “

For the second consecutive year, the winner of the Daytona 500 also won the 2.45-mile road course in Watkins Glen, as Hamlin equaled the feat in 2015. Hamlin’s second win this season and even celebrated with pain and all in Victory Lane, the rest of the riders left with a bitter taste.

Keselowski took responsibility for the incident with Truex Jr., who nevertheless expressed frustration. “I was right behind the No. 78 (Truex Jr.) and I could not do anything. He made a move to try to overtake the No. 11 (Hamlin), but was blocked, “said Keselowski. “I was on top and when he under I was already inside the rope and could not do anything. It was unfortunate. It is the last thing you want to do.

On this track, when you enter a curve and decide where to go, you do not know what will happen. I am proud of my team because we had a fast car. It was another crazy day at Watkins Glen, ” he added.

 

Madness led to eight caution flags – including two red – accidents in the last 38 laps, including the last one left set the stage for the exciting finish.

 

After the restart on lap 87 of 90 and the Truex Jr. incident between Keselowski and Hamlin he managed to cross the finish line 2.065 seconds ahead of Logano.

“A typical Watkins Glen race,” said the pilot of the No. 22 Ford of Team Penske. “It’s wonderful, motoring madness with full contact. It’s fun from the driver’s seat and I’m sure the fans enjoyed it a lot in the stands. Heard them screaming all. “

Jimmie Johnson was involved in an accident of four cars on lap 53 as he finished in last place (40) for the first time in any Sprint Cup … Danica Patrick led 11 laps, the most of. in a career since he came to the Sprint Cup, three of which had led twice at Talladega. … Jeff Gordon was the victim of an accident early in the race and although he recovered, he finished 14th., In his third race to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr., due to symptoms of a concussion.

The Sprint Cup Series will have a week off and will return to action on Saturday August 20 with the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night at Bristol Motor Speedway (8 pm, NBC Sports Network East).

 

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