Hamlin takes out NASCAR All-Star race

Million Dollar Denny at Charlotte

Million Dollar Denny at Charlotte

Denny Hamlin has taken the win and the US$1 million prize in the non-championship NASCAR All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It was the first All-Star win for Hamlin, his Joe Gibbs Racing team and Toyota.

The race was run over five separate segments; the first four of 25 laps. The average finishing position set the starting spots for the final 10-lap dash for the million dollar prize.

At the end of each segment cars would then come to pit road for service, with Hamlin making a two tyre call after the second segment. It proved important as he was able to keep position and started off the front at the final round of stops.

His cause was helped further when second place man Brad Kesolowski was caught for speeding on the pit lane and had to re-start off the rear.

However, it was not clear sailing for Hamlin who had series champion and points leader Kevin Harvick on his bumper. As he drove into Turn 1 with three laps to run, Hamlin moved up a lane in the corner and Harvick lost his momentum.

If that was the on-track move that made the difference, his pit crew also deserved plenty of credit as they gained him five spots at the final stop.

Kurt Busch ran third, followed by Jeff Gordon (making his final All-Star appearance), Matt Kenseth and an impressive Kyle Busch, who was making his first start in a NASCAR Sprint Cup of the year after breaking his right leg and left foot in an XFINITY Series race at Daytona on Feb. 21.

RESULTS: Sprint All-Star Race – Charlotte Motor Speedway

POS. CAR # DRIVER MAKE START LAPS LAPS LED FINAL STATUS
1 11 Denny Hamlin Toyota 1 110 26 Running
2 4 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 20 110 0 Running
3 41 Kurt Busch Chevrolet 16 110 24 Running
4 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 9 110 0 Running
5 20 Matt Kenseth Toyota 17 110 0 Running
6 18 Kyle Busch Toyota 19 110 0 Running
7 5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet 5 110 11 Running
8 22 Joey Logano Chevrolet 11 110 0 Running
9 2 Brad Keselowski Ford 3 110 49 Running
10 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr Chevrolet 7 110 0 Running
11 47 AJ Allmendinger Chevrolet 13 110 0 Running
12 15 Clint Bowyer Toyota 4 110 0 Running
13 16 Greg Biffle Ford 2 110 0 Running
14 43 Aric Almirola Ford 8 110 0 Running
15 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 12 110 0 Running
16 1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet 14 110 0 Running
17 19 Carl Edwards Toyota 10 110 0 Running
18 31 Ryan Newman Chevrolet 18 110 0 Running
19 14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet 15 110 0 Running
20 10 Danica Patrick Chevrolet 6 78 0 Running

 

 

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