Hamlin holds on to win Cup race at the Glen
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Denny Hamlin prevailed in a four-lap dash to the checkered flag to win a wreck-fest at newly paved Watkins Glen International on Sunday.
It was the first roadcourse victory of Hamlin’s career as he survived a race that had eight cautions for 24 laps and two red flags for 30 minutes.
On the final lap, Hamlin, who was beaten on the road course at Sonoma in June by Tony Stewart in a bang on the last turn, held a slim lead over Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski as the three ran nose to tail entering the final turns of the 90-lap race. Keselowski spun Truex in the turn, and Hamlin coasted to the victory.
“It’s very hard to win these races,” Hamlin said. “I only made one mistake at Sonoma, and I didn’t win.”
Joey Logano finished second and was followed by Keselowski, AJ Allmendinger and Stewart. Stewart, who is retiring after the season, will finish his stellar career with eight road wins — one fewer than the record nine of Jeff Gordon.
Gordon, who retired after last season, drove the No. 88 Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports in relief of Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the third consecutive race and finished 14th in his 800th career start. Earnhardt, who visited Watkins Glen on Friday, is recovering from a concussion and will miss at least two more races.
Despite a pit-road penalty and a late crash, Chris Buescher remained on the cusp of making the Chase for the Sprint Cup title despite finishing 30th, one lap down. The surprise winner last week in the rain at Pocono came to Watkins Glen six points outside the top 30 in points, a requirement for making the postseason Chase, and now trails David Ragan by three points. Ragan also was involved in a crash and finished 33rd.
In other motor sports news:
• Sprint car driver Bryan Clauson remained hospitalized in critical condition after an accident in a United States Auto Club midge-car race at Belleville, Kan. Clauson was airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln, Neb., after the Saturday night crash. He is considered the nation’s top short-track, dirt-car driver with four USAC national titles.