KANSAS CITY, KAN. — Three straight finishes outside the top 10 for Denny Hamlin these days counts as a rough patch.
Hamlin hung around the front of the pack all night, avoiding trouble that cost several playoff contenders in the final stage, then breezed past Kevin Harvick for the lead in the closing laps. Hamlin then held off charging Brad Keselowski for his NASCAR Cup Series-leading fifth victory of the season and 42nd overall. He also won for the second straight time at Kansas Speedway.
“I don't know we had the best car. We definitely had a top-three car all day,” Hamlin said after his burnout in front of the empty grandstands.