A few years ago Denny Hamlin took in the action at Richmond International Raceway from the turn four grandstand. This year he caught all the excitement from the best seat in the house, Victory lane. Hamlin, a Virginia native has dreamed of winning at the three-quarter mile bull ring that was just down the road from his hometown of Chesterfield.
That dream became AA reality as Hamlin won the Nationwide Series Lipton Tea 250 at the Richmond International Raceway.
“It’s unbelievable that we were able to get this done in my home state.” Exclaimed Hamlin. “This is my biggest win in Cup or anything, it doesn’t matter, and this is my biggest win by far. It means a lot to finally breakthrough in Richmond.”
Hamlin’s win, the sixth of his career can be credited to four fresh tires that Hamlin took late in the event.
Hamlin, who started third, ran top five all night but clean air was key to the leaders as two of the three passes for the lead occurred on pit road.
Pole sitter Kasey Khane held the top spot for the first seventeen circuits until passed on track by Carl Edwards, who looked like he was going to run away with it until a lap 142 caution put all lead lap cars on pit road.
Under caution two time champions Kevin Harvick beat Edwards out of the pits to take the lead and subsequently hold the point for the next ninety eight laps.
On lap 239 the caution flag flew for the seventh time. Both Harvick and Edwards, who were running first and second opted not to give up track position and stayed out as the remaining lead lap cars, including Hamlin came in the pits for service.
Both Harvick and Edwards were sitting ducks for Hamlin and his new Goodyear’s as Hamlin took the led with eight laps remaining.
Just after taking the lead, the yellow flew for the eight and final time setting up a green –white-checkered finish with Hamlin pulling away to a .789 second margin of victory over Harvick.
The top two were followed in by Kyle Busch, David Ragan, and Stephen Wallace.
Wallace, who scored his first top five finish of his career, got into an altercation with Bush after the event. Busch approached Wallace’s car after Wallace hit Busch’s Toyota on the cool down laps. The two exchanged words and Wallace grabbed Busch by the helmet. The two were separated. Any penalties as a result of the incident will be announced later in the week.
The race was the fourth consecutive win in the series for Joe Gibbs Racing, and the fifth of the season for the organization.
Leaving Richmond the point’s battle tightens up as 12 points separate the top three drivers with Clint Bowyer staying on top ahead of Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch.
Next week the series heads to Darlington Raceway for the Diamond Hill 200 where Gibbs driver Denny Hamlin has won the last two events.
Race Notes
NASCAR continues to develop plans to introduce a COT type car in the series beginning in 2009. Series Director Joe] Balash has indicated that the car will be similar to the cars on the Sprint Cup in terms of Chassis, but they are looking to modify the bodies of the cars to give the series a distinct look.
Car Insurance Used Honda Accord
