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May-03-2008 05:29Hamlin Wins Nationwide Series Race at RichmondSalem-News.com SPORTSCarl Edwards, who dominated the first half of the race, would fade on his worn tires and finish 7th.
RICHMOND, Va. - Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Nationwide Series Lipton Tea 250 at Richmond International Raceway. The Chesterfield, Virginia native took advantage of a late race pit stop for fresh tires when the race's two dominant cars (Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards) stayed on the track to maintain track position. An ecstatic Hamlin said, "It's unbelievable! This is the biggest win so far in my career, including my Sprint Cup career. It’s great to finally break through in Richmond." This was Hamlin’s first win in a national series at Richmond. Harvick was able to hold on to finish second, 0.790 seconds behind Hamlin. Commenting on his decision to stay out during that late caution, Harvick said, "I figured more cars would stay out, and with only 12 or 13 laps to go, I’d be able to stay up front." Kyle Busch, also pitted for tires late in the race and finished third. Busch commented, “We didn’t have the best car, but we worked on it and worked our way though the field and passed some cars at the end.” Finishing fourth was David Ragan (#6 Discount Tire Ford), who drove a quiet race and made a late charge. Steve Wallace (son of Rusty) drove his #66 Atreus Homes & Communities Chevrolet to fifth place. On the last lap, Wallace had tapped Kyle Busch into a half spin coming off of turn two, only to have the favor returned in turn 3. The two drivers would have a brief altercation on pit road following the race. Carl Edwards, who dominated the first half of the race, would fade on his worn tires and finish 7th. Pole Sitter Kasey Kahne (#9 Lipton Dodge) led the field to the green flag following a breathtaking flyover by the Blue Angels “Fat Albert” C-130 transport plane. Kahne would only be able to hold off a charging Carl Edwards for 17 laps. After getting around the Lipton Dodge, Edwards motored off to a commanding 3 second lead. The first caution of the evening flew on lap 66 after Brett Lowe (#05 31W Insulation/CertainTeed Chevrolet) spun his machine down the front straight after losing control exiting turn 4. All the front running cars took the opportunity to head for pit road for tires and fuel. Edwards’ crew was able to keep its driver in the lead, just ahead of Kevin Harvick. Jason Leffler was penalized after his crew knocked one of Harvick’s tires across pit road during the stop. Leffler was forced to drop to the end of the longest line of cars on the restart. Once racing resumed, Harvick and Edwards pulled away from the rest of the field. They would open up an 8 second lead before David Reutimann (#99 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota) and Sam Hornish, Jr. (#12 Penske Truck Rental Dodge) tangled in turn one on lap 140. Again, all the front runners dashed into the pits for service. Harvick, thanks to nimble work by his crew, was able to beat Edwards off pit road to take the lead. The race was slowed briefly for spins by Landon Cassell (#5 National Guard Chevrolet) on lap 157 and Kasey Kahne on lap 166. Harvick and Edwards continued to be the class of the field, leading by 4 to 7 seconds, depending on traffic. Edwards got another chance to attack Harvick following a caution on lap 225 when Derrick Cope (#52 Chevrolet) spun coming out of turn 4. The top 5 at this point were Harvick, Edwards, Mike Bliss (#1 Miccosukee Resorts Chevrolet), Denny Hamlin (#20 Z-Line Designs Toyota) and Kyle Busch (#32 Hass Avocados From Mexico Toyota). This caution would determine the outcome of the race. Harvick and Edwards decided to stay on the track to maintain track position. Hamlin and Busch, and most of the rest of the field, on the other hand, headed to pit road for fresh tires. As the racers took the green flag with 12 laps to go, Denny Hamlin came jetting to the front as if shot from a cannon. Running 3-wide through turn 2 and turn 4, Denny Hamlin wrestled the lead from Harvick on lap 240 after passing both Edwards and Harvick around the outside. He pulled out a 5 car length lead On lap 246, Bryan Clauson (#40 Fastenal Dodge) spun exiting turn 2, bringing out the final caution of the evening. The race would finish “green-white-checker,” ending on lap 253. This was the 7th NASCAR Nationwide Series race victory of Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008. Tonight’s was also Denny Hamlin’s 6th career Nationwide Series win.
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