Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
In a race that more resembled a street fight, Denny Hamlin was able to avoid the mayhem that filled Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited to claim his third win the event that kicks off Daytona Speedweeks.
The victory marked Joe Gibbs Racing’s fourth win in the Unlimited in the last five tries, while also giving the organization their eighth win overall to tie Richard Childress Racing for the most all time in the 38 year history of the event.
“Great way to start the year that’s for sure,” said Hamlin after leading a race high 39 laps. “It was rough out there and everyone was just so aggressive. But we had a fast car and showed it at the end.”
The win marked the first for Hamlin’s new crew chief Mike Wheeler, who replaced Dave Rogers on top of the pit box for the No.11 team at the end of the 2015 season.
Joey Logano would finish 2nd, followed by Paul Menard and Kyle Larson, with Casey Mears rounding out the top five. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was 6th, followed by Kurt Busch, Austin Dillon, Brad Keselowski, and Greg Biffle.
Brian Vickers made his return to Sprint Cup competition for the first time in nearly a year; however, his night would end abruptly after just twenty one laps. Vickers, who is subbing for an injured Tony Stewart, cut a tire on his No.14 Mobil 1 Chevrolet and hit the wall, collecting Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and others.
“I cut a right rear tire,” Vickers said after exiting the infield care center. “It’s unfortunate. I don’t know how I cut the tire. I had a little contact. Everyone was racing hard. It’s the Sprint Unlimited, right? That’s what it’s all about. The 18 (Kyle Busch) and I got together early on, going four-wide. Had a little rub but it went away so we thought everything was fine”.
Six time Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson would not fare much better after running in the top 10 for much of the evening. On lap 44, Johnson was hit from behind causing his No.48 Lowe’s Chevrolet to spin through the grass and cause irreparable damage to the front end.
Sprint Cup teams will return to the track on Sunday Afternoon for Daytona 500 Qualifying.
