Denny Hamlin Wins 63rd Cup Race by 11.110 Seconds, Dedicates Michigan Victory to Kyle Busch
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 8
Denny Hamlin Wins 63rd Cup Race by 11.110 Seconds, Dedicates Michigan Victory to Kyle Busch
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 8
Summary
Hamlin charged from the rear after pre-race adjustment penalties and took the lead for good on a three-wide restart pass with 38 laps left, sealing his third win of the season.
The 11.110-second margin was the widest of Hamlin’s Cup career and Michigan’s largest since 1991, with Erik Jones second and Bubba Wallace posting a season-best third.
A black No. 18 flag and a "We love you, KB" radio message turned the celebration into a tribute to Busch, whose May 21 death Hamlin said still weighs on the NASCAR garage.
A lap-148 crash between Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell triggered a 20-minute red flag after Bell slammed the wall and damaged the SAFER barrier; Joe Gibbs said Bell has wrist and ankle injuries to evaluate this week.
The victory gave Hamlin back-to-back wins overall and at Michigan, while NASCAR heads next to Pocono Raceway on June 14.