Hamlin Secures Victory in Fuel Strategy-Fueled Race at Michigan
Brooklyn, MI – Denny Hamlin clinched his 57th career victory at the NASCAR Cup Series race in Michigan, showcasing strategic prowess and deft driving in a fuel mileage battle that defined the event.
In a race noted for its classic fuel management, Hamlin maneuvered through the final stages after achieving his fuel target, ultimately catching leader William Byron. Despite a valiant effort from Byron, who had regained control earlier in the race, he was forced to pit due to fuel issues and was left to finish 28th.
Hamlin seized the lead with four laps remaining, crossing the finish line approximately one second ahead of Chris Buescher, who claimed second place. Ty Gibbs and Bubba Wallace rounded out the top four, while Kyle Larson finished fifth. The remainder of the top ten included Ross Chastain, Zane Smith, Kyle Busch, Ryan Preece, and Brad Keselowski.
Key Race Highlights:
- Stage Winners: Buescher won Stage 1, while Byron took Stage 2, gaining crucial points that partially mitigated his race misfortune.
- Notable Incidents: A significant wreck involving Alex Bowman early in the second stage brought a red flag to the race. Bowman emerged unscathed despite the severity of the crash, described as one of the biggest of his career.
- Final Stage Dynamics: The final stage unfolded with a green flag until a crash by Todd Gilliland prompted a caution. Hamlin, restarting ninth, executed a strategic charge to the front, overtaking Hocevar—who briefly led after a two-tire strategy.
Post-race, Hamlin expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, attributing the win to their consistent speed and strategic acumen throughout the season. "It feels good to come here to Michigan where we’ve been so close over the years," Hamlin remarked, praising his crew chief Chris Gayle and the entire team.
With this victory, Hamlin matches the season win totals of competitors Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson, reinforcing his status as a serious contender this year.
