Denny Hamlin Survives Rain Delay, Extra time End to Win Once more at Dover

Denny Hamlin went back-to-back at Dover Motor Speedway, holding a late lead by a rain delay and an additional time end Sunday for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s series-best fourth victory of the season.

Hamlin received within the No. 11 Toyota for the second straight time at Dover so as to add to wins this season at Martinsville, Darlington and Michigan.

Hamlin has 58 NASCAR Cup Collection victories, leaving him two in need of Kevin Harvick for tenth on the profession listing. The 44-year-old Virginia driver would possibly hit that mark this season as he chases his first profession Cup championship.

“Profitable right here at Dover is tremendous particular to me,” Hamlin mentioned. “This can be a place that I’ve not been superb on the first half of my profession. To return-to-back right here the final two years is superb.”

Hamlin took the checkered flag days after he suffered a setback in court docket along with his personal 23XI Racing staff’s federal antitrust go well with towards NASCAR.

On Thursday, a federal choose rejected a request from 23XI Racing and Entrance Row Motorsports to proceed racing with charters whereas they battle NASCAR in court docket, which means their six vehicles will race as open entries this weekend at Dover, subsequent week at Indianapolis and maybe longer than that, in a transfer the groups say would put them susceptible to going out of enterprise.

Hamlin vowed this weekend “all might be uncovered” if the case goes to its scheduled Dec. 1 trial date.

The courtroom drama hasn’t affected Hamlin’s efficiency on the observe. Hamlin held off JGR teammate Chase Briscoe for the victory. Hendrick Motorsports drivers took the subsequent two spots, with Alex Bowman third and Kyle Larson fourth.

Hamlin held off Larson down the stretch final season to earn the second of his three profession wins on the Monster Mile.

The primary July Cup race at Dover since 1969 began with steamy climate and drivers battled the situations contained in the automotive throughout a comparatively clear race till rain fell late and red-flagged the race with 14 laps left. Hamlin mentioned that through the break he deliberate to alter his firesuit — temperatures contained in the automotive soared to 140 levels.

He additionally returned to the automotive after the 56-minute delay with previous tires. Hamlin had sufficient to win at Dover and park the Toyota in victory lane.

“We have got loads left,” Hamlin mentioned.

Up subsequent, it is off to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the place Larson received final season on the oval after a four-year break on the street course.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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