HAMLIN’S RICHMOND ROBBERY 

Denny Hamlin snatched another NASCAR Cup Series victory at Richmond from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr in the depths of Overtime.

Despite Truex Jr leading 228 of the 407 laps, he lost the lead in Overtime which was required after Kyle Larson was spun by Bubba Wallace with two laps to go.

The entire field then went to pit road where Hamlin got the jump and the veteran kept his cool in the two-lap dash to secure a 58th career win and 5th on home turf.

With his pit crew playing such a pivotal role sending the #11 out from third to first, Hamlin was quick to label the result as “a team win for sure”.

To rub salt into the wounds for Truex Jr both Joey Logano and Kyle Larson also snuck by to demote the #19 back to fourth.

The veteran was not impressed with his teammate Hamlin, even giving him a serve post race.

“It is unfortunate and that has happened a few times over the years,” Truex Jr said.

“We were in a great spot but got beat up in the pits and then Denny jumped the start and used me up into turn 1.

“It definitely sucks but we will just have to come back next week.”

The Toyota Owners 400 had a delayed start due to a storm, which created just the second NASCAR Cup Series oval race ever to start on the wet-weather tyre.

Larson led unchallenged into turn 1 however Elliott got a grand run through the final turn and flew past to just prior to the start finish line

As the track dried out Larson returned to the lead prior to the first caution at lap 30 where the field switched to dry tyres.

Larson and Wallace went side by side for a number of laps fighting for both the lead and the dry line with the #5 eventually prevailing to take out the opening Stage.

The segment ended under yellow after Josh Berry tagged Daniel Suarez with the Trackhouse just driver unable to stop the Camaro from spinning after a desperate attempt at saving it.

Larson regained control before Truex Jr hit the lead and set the pace for the remainder of the second Stage, which was briefly interrupted when Kyle Busch found trouble by whacking the wall.

The final stage started with Truex Jr nailing the restart and opening a big lead.

With 63 to go Larson shot ahead of the #19 on pit road, but the #5 could only stay in front for a lap.

The immediate fightback down at turn 1 appeared to be the race-winning move with Truex Jr cruising with two laps to go until the resuming Wallace and Larson rivalry ended in tears with the #5 spin creating an Overtime finish and turning the race on its head.

Whilst Joe Gibbs Racing did secure the expected win, it was Hamlin who snatched it at the death with a little help from his friends in the lane.

NASCAR stays in Virginia to chase the prestigious Grandfather Clock at Martinsville this weekend.

Image: Motorsport Images

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