Hamlin Wins STP 500 in Martinsville

Originally written for CLNS Radio.

Denny Hamlin won the STP 500 from Martinsville Speedway on Sunday.
 

Hamlin took the lead on a late restart and held off Brad Keselowski for the victory.  

Hamlin, who many believed had the strongest car this weekend, said he was happy to pick up his fifth Martinsville victory.

Photo courtesy Nick Laham/Getty Images

“I feel like I’ve missed out on so many grandfather clocks [Martinsville Speedway’s unique trophy] here because of mechanical issues and stuff, we just weren’t going to be denied today,” Hamlin said in victory lane.

Hamlin raced hard with Keselowski over the final 20 laps, with Keselowski getting right to Hamlin’s bumper.  Hamlin said he was glad Keselowski raced him cleanly at the end of the race.

“Hats off to Brad,” Hamlin said.  “He had an option and he took the latter, so I thank him for that.”

Keselowski had his best career finish at Martinsville on Sunday, and he said his car just came in at the right time.

“It just seemed like some runs were good on the long run and some runs we were good on the short run, and at the end we were good at the right time,” Keselowski said.  “I just couldn’t quite make the move I needed to complete the pass but I was right there.”

Keselowski said he and his team are looking forward to returning to the short track later in the season following Sunday’s strong run.  Martinsville will host the first race in the third round of NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup in November.

“This is the best we’ve ever been here,” Keselowski said.  “[Crew chief] Paul Wolfe and the guys have been working to get us a little better here.  It’ll be in the Chase…and this is a good sign coming back.”

Unofficial results:

1. Denny Hamlin

2. Brad Keselowski

3. Joey Logano

4. Matt Kenseth

5. David Ragan

6. Martin Truex Jr.

7. Danica Patrick

8. Kevin Harvick

9. Jeff Gordon

10. Jamie McMurray

11. Kasey Kahne

12. Aric Almirola

13. Clint Bowyer

14. Kurt Busch

15. Casey Mears

16. Regan Smith

17. Carl Edwards

18. Trevor Bayne

19. Greg Biffle

20. Tony Stewart

21. Landon Cassill

22. Cole Whitt

23. Paul Menard

24. Chris Buescher

25. David Gilliland

26. J.J. Yeley

27. Ryan Newman

28. Brett Moffitt

29. Jeb Burton

30. Josh Wise

31. Matt DiBenedetto

32. Sam Hornish Jr.

33. Alex Kennedy

34. Mike Bliss

35. Jimmie Johnson

36. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

37. Alex Bowman

38. Chase Elliott

39. Michael Annett

40. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

41. Austin Dillon

42. Justin Allgaier

43. AJ Allmendinger

Photo courtesy Nick Laham/Getty Images