Denny Hamlin emerged victorious in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, executing a decisive pass on his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. in the final laps, securing his fourth win at the renowned short track.
Hamlin’s triumph added to his previous victory at NASCAR’s bullring last September, but this race proved notably different. Tire issues plagued most drivers throughout the afternoon, with only five cars managing to finish on the lead lap — a rare occurrence in the Cup Series, not seen in 20 years.
Demonstrating exceptional performance, the Gibbs cars showcased their superiority on the track. “My favorite racetrack!” exclaimed Hamlin over his radio upon crossing the finish line. “We got another.”
Standing atop his No. 11 Toyota amidst smoky burnout celebrations, Hamlin faced a chorus of boos, a predictable response considering his status as one of the series’ most controversial figures.
With this win marking his 52nd career victory, Hamlin solidifies his position in the playoffs. Brad Keselowski clinched third place in a Ford, while Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson secured fourth and fifth positions respectively, in Chevrolets for Hendrick Motorsports.
Reflecting on the race, Larson expressed his bewilderment, stating, “It was weird. I accidentally finished fifth. I’ll take it. I hope I never have to run another race like that again.” Meanwhile, the other two Gibbs cars, driven by Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell, secured ninth and tenth places respectively.
From the race’s onset, chaos ensued, with cars grappling with tire degradation at an alarming rate. NASCAR’s response was to provide each team with an extra set of tires, bringing the total to 11 sets, including those used in qualifying.
This necessitated four hours of intense tire management, placing control firmly in the hands of drivers and crew chiefs. The race witnessed a record-breaking 54 lead changes, surpassing the previous mark set in 1991 at Bristol.
Joe Gibbs Racing navigated the tire management challenge more effectively than their competitors, with Truex acknowledging, “Our Toyotas are working well right now.”
For the first time in four years, NASCAR returned Bristol to its “normal” configuration for the spring race. In previous years, the track had been treated with red clay, but mixed reviews and lackluster racing prompted a change.
In an effort to enhance competition and ensure equal racing lines, workers applied a resin-based traction compound through the turns, although its effectiveness was not flawless.
