Denny Hamlin secured his 56th career NASCAR victory at the Goodyear 400 in Darlington, but it wasn’t without a nail-biting overtime finish. After a final caution, Hamlin entered the pits in third, relying on his Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew to execute a flawless stop. Their precision paid off, catapulting Hamlin into the lead for the final restart. He then expertly fended off William Byron to claim the win, marking his fifth Darlington triumph and his second consecutive victory this season.
Hamlin’s strategic patience was key. While Byron and others seemed poised for victory, Hamlin bided his time, seizing the opportunity during the green-white-checkered finish to break away and secure the win. His longtime car owner, Joe Gibbs, lauded the achievement, calling the 56 wins a “huge deal.” Hamlin himself expressed his continued ability to compete at a high level, looking forward to more wins this year.
The race saw several dramatic turns. Ryan Blaney briefly took the lead with three laps remaining, only to see a late caution caused by Kyle Larson’s spin bring out the overtime. This was where Hamlin’s pit crew truly shone, their speed and precision earning high praise from Hamlin, who credited them with securing both this win and the one the previous week.
William Byron, who had led for 243 laps, finished second, narrowly missing out on becoming the first driver to lead every lap to victory in almost 25 years. He acknowledged losing control during the final pit stops, making a comeback impossible. Christopher Bell, also from JGR, completed the podium in third place.
Kyle Larson, winner of the 2023 Southern 500 at Darlington, unfortunately had a disastrous race. A lap-three crash sent him to the garage for extensive repairs, leaving him to finish a disappointing 37th. In contrast, Greg Biffle, the last driver to win consecutive Cup Series races at Darlington (2006-2007), served as the pace car, adding a nostalgic touch to the event. Biffle’s recent humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene were also highlighted, showcasing his commitment beyond the racing world.
The NASCAR Cup Series now heads to Bristol on April 13th, following a traditional Easter break.
