NASCAR
Denny Hamlin Takes Lead Late at Richmond After Gambling on Tires
RICHMOND, Va. – After a terrible start to 2022, Denny Hamlin came in clutch at Richmond. The FedEx 11 team gambled late, pitting Hamlin for newer tires than the leaders, and it capitalized in the best way. Entering Richmond 22nd in points, Hamlin is now locked into the Playoffs after a fourth career win at his home track.
Both Richmond Stages would be dominated by different drivers. After starting on pole, Ryan Blaney led wire-to-wire in Stage 1, his third Stage win of 2022. These also marked his first ever laps led at Richmond, previously his worst track. Stage 2 would be won by Martin Truex Jr., who leapfrogged Blaney after pitting early. The three-time Richmond winner also took his third Stage win of 2022.
Truex appeared to have the win well in hand, until William Byron was one of few to stay out on 11-lap older tires. The 24 was able to ward off the 19, eventually driving off with the lead. Byron continued to lead through two more pit cycles, but was outgunned late. The trio of Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Larson all opted to pit later to have the freshest tires, and methodically climbed up the running order. With four laps left, Hamlin took the lead for good from Byron. While the 24 faded to third, the 11 picked up a huge momentum-building victory on his home turf.
“Just great strategy there,” Hamlin said about the victory. “Just drove as hard as I could. So proud of this whole FedEx Camry team, man, just never giving up.
“There was no doubt in my mind, maybe just a little, but they got this car right there towards the end. Wow, unbelievable.”
“We needed a data point, something, a good run to kind of balance ourselves on other tracks. Obviously I think we got it here.”
Toyotas as a manufacturer have been noticeably off to start 2022 with the Next Gen car. Now with a win under their belts, the floodgates may open for all of Toyota, especially Joe Gibbs Racing.
Behind Hamlin, the top 10 were Kevin Harvick, William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, and Austin Dillon. See reactions from some of the top finishers below.
.@KevinHarvick just needed “one more spot,” after finishing 2nd. Hear his reaction to a wild Richmond finish. #ToyotaOwners400 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/WPySaCqkqs
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) April 3, 2022
Hear how recent short track starts have helped @WilliamByron get better at circuits like @RichmondRaceway, and his optimism heading into Martinsville next week.
The 24 finished 3rd after leading late on old tires. #ToyotaOwners400 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/okth25uybU
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) April 3, 2022
“We took a gamble there, I thought we had the car to win,” –@MartinTruex_Jr after finishing 4th on a tire disadvantage to Hamlin/Harvick. #ToyotaOwners400 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/FIPFAZnhAA
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) April 3, 2022
Hear @KyleLarsonRacin after a very up-and-down day for the 5 ended with him in 5th. Larson was on the same tire strategy as Hamlin/Harvick, #ToyotaOwners400 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/PTZlrGDCPw
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) April 3, 2022
The short track action continues next week at Martinsville Speedway, with the Blue Emu 400. Coverage begins Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. With the winless streak over for Toyota, can Hamlin, Truex, or either Busch score the Grandfather Clock?
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Joe Gibbs Racing via Twitter
