(WOMR file photo)
Denny Hamlin had the lead when debris forced a caution with less than a lap to go and that gave him the victory in Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
The victory was the first of the season for Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs Racing team, and it likely put him in the Chase even though he missed a start earlier in the season because of a sinus infection. It was also Hamlin’s first victory at a restrictor-plate track.
“I’m still a short track guy,” Hamlin said. “Those are my roots, that’s where I love racing the most, but we’ve come a long way. I said that over the radio to Darian (Grubb, crew chief). We couldn’t finish 22nd at a superspeedway race for the longest time and now it seems like when we go we know we’ve got the knowledge and car that can win. It feels good to come to these types of race tracks and know you can win.”
Finishing second was Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle, who led the most laps in the race. Following Biffle, and finishing third was Clint Bowyer. Rounding out the top five were Brian Vickers, Bowyer’s teammate, and AJ Allmendinger.
The late caution, the result of a wreck back in the pack just as Hamlin took the white flag, killed off chances for a classic Talladega finish.
Check out the unofficial results of the Aaron’s 499.
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
