Denny Hamlin ended a 19-race winless streak at his home-state track, fending off a furious challenge by Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell to win at Martinsville Speedway.
It was 10 years and a day since Hamlin’s previous victory at the 0.526-mile oval in Virginia that is a few hours from where he grew up in the Richmond suburb of Chesterfield. Hamlin leads active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with six victories at Martinsville.
Bell finished second by 4.617 seconds, followed by Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson.
After a rash of pit problems throughout the first six races season (documented in this story by NBC Sports’ Dustin Long), Josh Berry became the latest victim during the first stage at Martinsville.