Denny Hamlin defeats the Monster Mile in a late race dual with Kyle Larson to win his third race of the year.
Kyle Busch’s #8 car adorned the pole for the first time this year, and led the race’s early stages before forfeiting to defending champ Ryan Blaney.
The race’s first caution came on lap 39. Todd Gilliland’s #38 got loose under the #3 of Austin Dillon and spun out on the frontstretch. First time starter Corey Heim, filling in for an injured Erik Jones, got spun on pitroad after contact with Tyler Reddick’s #45. The race resumed on lap 48 with Blaney at the helm once more.
Ryan Preece retired from the race after suffering from a fire in the cockpit, caused by the foam inside his door being on fire.
On lap 118, Brad Keselowski spun in turn 2 with a flat right rear tire. The caution came out once more which allowed Martin Truex Jr to win stage 1.
Stage One Results:
1. #19
2. #24
3. #45
4. #12
5. #5
6. #11
7. #8
8. #48
9. #9
10. #47
Martin Truex Jr. led the field to green at the start of stage 2 with William Byron on his inside.
Truex led the way until the first round of green flag pit stops, where he got jumped by Kyle Larson for the lead. Byron’s car fell off the jack, resulting in a 24 second stop for the #24.
Larson ran away from the field and took the green and white checkered flag for the win in stage 2.
Stage Two Results:
1. #5
2. #48
3. #11
4. #19
5. #9
6. #8
7. #45
8. #12
9. #47
10. #23
Denny Hamlin jumps Larson under caution flag stops to take the lead for the first time today. Denny storms away from Larson at the drop of the green.
The field pits again under green until Ricky Stenhouse spins out of turn 2, bringing out another caution. Daniel Hemric’s #31 was out in front and had not yet pit.
Larson and Hamlin lined up out front once again but the field was almost immediately thrown under caution again. Zane Smith’s #71 got into the left rear of Bubba Wallace, sending him into the wall and collecting Byron and Bell.
Denny leads again at the restart with Larson behind in hot pursuit. Denny managed the gap back to Larson for the 20 lap run to the end. Larson made a last minute charge but to no avail.
Hamlin wins his third race of the year, and 54th career total. Larson’s runner-up kicks off his difficult month of May, Truex Jr. rounded out the top-three with polesitter Busch and Elliott in the top-five. SHR’s Noah Gragson earned a sixth place finish when it was all said and done.
The NASCAR circus moves on to Kansas Speedway next weekend, with Larson aiming to avenge his last lap loss from a year ago.
Featured Image Credit: Joe Gibbs Racing on Twitter
pitboxpress.com 