Denny Hamlin beats DiBenedetto for his second win at Bristol
Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) scored his fourth win this year and 35th NASCAR Cup Series victory by winning Bristol Motor Speedway’s Night Race. For the driver of the #11 Toyota Camry, it’s his second win at Bristol’s 0.533-mile short track.
After 500 laps, Hamlin defeated Matt DiBenedetto (#95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota) by half of the second at the finish line, stealing him a maiden win in NASCAR’s premier division. Hamlin took the lead with eleven laps left. In total, Hamlin led for 79 laps while DiBenedetto was in front for 93 laps, the most of all drivers. Brad Keselowski (Team Penske Ford), who finished third, was in the lead for 91 laps.
Just two races left in the regular Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, first Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 1 and then Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 8.
After that, sixteen drivers will proceed to the Playoffs. Currently, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Daniel Suarez in on P16, just two points ahead of teammate Clint Bowyer.
