[autotag]Denny Hamlin[/autotag] thought he had the right strategy to pass Martin Truex Jr. and Joey Logano for the win at Richmond Raceway, but his tires equaled out at the end of what was supposed to be the final run. However, after a caution with two laps to go, Hamlin was given another chance. The No. 11 pit crew got him out with the lead, and he held off Truex for the victory at Richmond.
After the race, Truex accused his teammate of jumping the final restart, and based on the replays, that was the case. Hamlin talked about the restart and gave his take on the situation.
“Yeah, I mean, I went right at [the restart zone], for sure,” Hamlin said. “I did that because I saw those guys rolling to me. [Joey Logano] was laying back. [Maritn Truex Jr.] was rolling a couple miles an hour quicker than I was. I wasn’t going to let them have an advantage that my team earned on pit road.”
DENNY HAMLIN WINS AT RICHMOND pic.twitter.com/RoN31iXsyN
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 1, 2024
“Certainly made sure I went to my nose, got there. But I took off right away. Still, we were side by side down the water into Turn 1.”
It certainly appears that Hamlin jumped the start, as his onboard camera suggests he hit the throttle before the restart zone. Yet, the No. 11 car is the only one that ended up in victory lane. It was a team effort, with Hamlin holding off Truex and the No. 11 crew gaining two spots on pit road. The win was massive for Hamlin, who now has two to start the 2024 season.
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