Denny Hamlin, the defending race winner going into Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway looked to be on the upswing about halfway through the 400 lap event.
After starting 11th due to Saturday’s qualifying being rained out, Hamlin worked his way forward over the first portion of the race, assuming the lead for the first time on lap 161, and led again on lap 228.
Denny Hamlin won the second stage with a last lap pass on Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell, and then got a great pit stop to get him out first to start the final stage.
But that’s where things went wrong for the Chesterfield, Virginia native.
A poor next stop during the final stage set him back, and he was working his way back into contention when, for the second time, he incurred a pit road penalty that took him out of contention. In the end, he finished 20th after leading three times for 71 laps – third most behind William Byron (117) and race winner Kyle Larson (93).
Hamlin now sits 12th in the series points standings, 75 markers behind points leader Alex Bowman.
NUTS & BOLTS
Hendrick Motorsports drivers led 229 of the 400 laps with Larson pacing 93, Josh Berry 10 and pole-sitter Alex Bowman 9. ... Former NFL tight end Vernon Davis, who finished his career with the Washington Commanders, was the honorary pace car driver.
UP NEXT
The second of three straight short track events comes next Sunday night on the dirt at Bristol Motor Speedway.
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