While most NASCAR drivers are used to the idea of a sprint to the finish line, how do you think they would feel about a sprint race? That’s the kind of race that was shaping up in the Lakes Region 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Earlier in the day, Denny Hamlin (#20 Sun Energy 1 Toyota) snuck past teammate Kyle Busch (#54 Monster Energy Toyota) for the pole, leading a 1-2-3 charge for Joe Gibbs Racing. That charge though would be turned around shortly after the start literally. On the restart after an early caution in the race, Hamlin would spin in Turn 2, slowing his teammate Busch as well. Both drivers would be shuffled to the back of the pack.
Their time at the rear of the field was short though. As Brad Keselowski (#22 Hertz Ford) inherited the lead from the duo, Hamlin and Busch battled back until another caution on the track provided the teams an opportunity to pit. Pulling out some pit strategy by only taking fuel, Hamlin would re-assume the lead via pit stops.
After a rash of early cautions, the race opened up to a long, green flag run that lasted past halfway. Drivers continued to battle each other around the track, as well as handling and mechanical issues. A number of drivers exited early with brake issues, while others including leader Denny Hamlin had trouble with radio communications with their teams. More important though, were the looming pit stops on Lap 120, the final pit stops of the day perhaps.
When green flag pit stops went off without a hitch, it appeared the race at NHMS was Denny Hamlin’s to lose. But a debris caution with just over fifty laps to go, a split strategy set up a mixed bag of drivers for the final stretch of the race. And while Hamlin was able to hang on to the lead ahead of the charging Austin Dillon (#33 Rheem Chevy), a caution with 35 laps to go would bunch up the field once again.
With a twenty-five-lap sprint to the finish, Austin Dillon nailed his restart, passing Denny Hamlin for the lead. That lead would not last though, as Hamlin would nudge Dillon out of the way with only twenty laps to go. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was all she wrote as Denny Hamlin took the win in the Lakes Region 200 at New Hampshire.
Be sure to tune in next week as the NASCAR Xfinity Series takes to the track at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Coverage of the Lilly Diabetes 250 can be seen on your local NBC station.
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