Hamlin the hero, heartbreak for SVG
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin has shot into the final four with a massive win at the Las Vegas Speedway in the first Round of the 8-battle, while Shane van Gisbergen was robbed of a big result.
For all money, it looked like Kyle Larson was going to take his fourth career win in Vegas and snap his 20-race winless streak, but the 44-year-old Hamlin shocked the field on four fresh tyres.
The final wreck happened before a lap was turned and took out 11 cars as they bounced around like roulette balls, including Shane van Gisbergen, who had found himself in fifth at the second last restart, with the host of cars leading after the final flag having only taken two tyres compared to Hamlin and Larson. It also elevated Hamlin well into the top ten.
“Frustrating end to the day. My 88 Jockey Chevy was so good there at the start, then towards the end it was a bit tight but we were still in a position to get a good finish. Wish our result would’ve shown the race we had. Proud of my 88 team for bringing another rocket ship,” van Gisbergen said.
Prior to that caution, 55 lap leader William Byron went hard into a pitting Ty Dillon in a scary wreck, leading to the race-defining tyre offset gambles.
It looked as if his JGR Toyota teammate Chase Briscoe might have had the legs on only two fresh tyres as Hamlin and Larson fought it out, but once the #11 Toyota made it past the Hendricks #5 Chevrolet, it blew past Briscoe with four laps remaining, who eventually dropped to fourth behind Larson and Christoper Bell.
Hamlin’s 60th career win (6th for the season) put him equal with Kevin Harvick on the all-time list, tied in 10th.
And with the winner’s father sick in the hospital, a usually bullish Hamlin was reduced to tears.
“This win means a lot, this is the point where I usually give the fans some shit, but not today”, Hamlin said with a shaky voice.
“I appreciate all of you, and I just want to say hi to my dad and all the family. I didn’t think we were in it, but I put the pedal down for those last 10 laps.
Earlier in the race, Penske’s Ryan Blaney saw his final four chances dented with a blown tyre in Stage 1, and the Mustang man finds himself +30 points from the cutoff line.
The final Round of 8 rounds head for Talladega and Martinsville.
Image: Getty
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