By DAN GELSTON
Related Press
DOVER, Del. — Denny Hamlin went back-to-back at Dover Motor Speedway, holding a late lead by means of a rain delay and an time beyond regulation end Sunday for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s series-best fourth victory of the season.
Hamlin gained 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 wanting Kevin Harvick for tenth on the profession listing. The 44-year-old Virginia driver may 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. “It is 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 together with his personal 23XI Racing workforce’s federal antitrust swimsuit towards NASCAR.
On July 17, 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 raced as open entries this weekend at Dover and can once more this coming weekend at Indianapolis and maybe longer than that in a transfer the groups say would put them prone to going out of enterprise.
Hamlin vowed this weekend “all can be uncovered” if the case goes to its scheduled Dec. 1 trial date.
The courtroom drama hasn’t affected Hamlin’s efficiency on the monitor. 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 inside their vehicles throughout a comparatively clear race till rain fell late and red-flagged the race with 14 laps left. Hamlin mentioned the throughout the break he deliberate to alter his firesuit — temperatures contained in the automobile soared to 140 levels.
He additionally returned to the automobile after the 56-minute delay with outdated tires. Hamlin had sufficient to win at Dover and park the Toyota in victory lane.
“We’ve bought loads left,” Hamlin mentioned.
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