Connect with us

NASCAR Cup Series

Denny Hamlin earns his Stripes at Darlington

Larry Robinson - Bluegrass Sports Nation

Rain comes, Hamlin Wins

DARLINGTON, S.C. – May 20, 2020

NASCAR Cup Series (abbreviated) 6th race of the 2020 season returned to Darlington Raceway, May 20, 2020 for the Toyota 500. 

Practice and Qualifying for the Toyota 500 was canceled, creating least exposure possible for all involved participants in the event.  Wednesday’s night starting lineup for the Toyota 500 will be inverted depending upon last Sunday’s The Real Heroes 400 finish.  The inversions were in groups and the first inversion flipped 1st to 20th.  Ryan Preece’s The Real Heroes 400  20th place finish, was awarded the pole while Race Winner Kevin Harvick starts 20th.

Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson crashed while leading on the final lap of the first stage and will start 37th on Wednesday.

Stage 1 recap:

The No. 14 Stuart-Haas Driver – Clint Bowyer commanded the lead after the mandated competition caution, capturing his first Stage win of the season.

Leading 30 laps of Stage 1, Bowyer overtook Petty Racing Driver- No. 43 – Bubba Wallace who opted to stay out during the competition caution pit services.  No. 19 – Martin Truex Jr.,   No. 12 – Ryan Blaney, No. 88 – Alex Bowman and No. 22 – Joey Logano rounded out the top five.

Stage 1 Results

  1. Clint Bowyer
  2. Martin Truex Jr.
  3. Ryan Blaney
  4. Alex Bowman
  5. Joey Logano
  6. Aric Almirola
  7. Chase Elliott
  8. Denny Hamlin
  9. Matt Kenseth
  10. Ryan Preece

Stage 2 recap:

Clint Bowyer collects both stages Wednesday night at Darlington Raceway, utilizing expedite pit service to claim the lead late in Stage 2  for his second green-and-white checkered flag win of the night.

A caution brought out by teammate No. 47 Stewart-Haas Driver – Cole Custer, set up a dash to pits for a final Stage shootout.

Clint Bowyer’s crew worked furiously to put his car in position to win the Stage 2.  Bowyer returned his gratitude with a second Stage win.  No. 9 – Chase Elliott,  No. 19 – Truex Jr.,  No. 20 – Erik Jones and Sunday’s  race winner in No. 4 – Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five.

Stage 2 Results

  1. Clint Bowyer
  2. Chase Elliott
  3. Martin Truex Jr.
  4. Erik Jones
  5. Kevin Harvick
  6. William Byron
  7. Denny Hamlin
  8. Alex Bowman
  9. Joey Logano
  10. Matt DiBenedetto

Toyota 500 Final Stage recap:

Having by far the best performance of the day, winning both Stage 1 and 2, Clint Bowyer cuts a tire with 33 laps to go, taking the No. 14 Ford out of contention to sweep all Race Stages.

Reigning Cup Champ No. 18 – Kyle Bush clipped the No. 9 – Chase Elliott’s Chevrolet with 30 laps remaining, spinning out any chance for the Hendrick Driver to victor.

Utilizing on the alteration, Denny Hamlin sails past Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Bush and Chase Elliott for the lead as the 2020 Daytona 500 winner collected another trophy as Mother Nature made her presence at the track.

NASCAR called officially called the race due to rain and Denny Hamlin receives the win under red flag.

Toyota 500 Final Stage results

  1. Denny Hamlin
  2. Kyle Busch
  3. Kevin Harvick
  4. Brad Keselowski
  5. Erik Jones
  6. Joey Logano
  7. Aric Almirola
  8. Jimmie Johnson
  9. Matt DiBenedetto
  10. Martin Truex Jr.
  11. Christopher Bell
  12. William Byron
  13. Tyler Reddick
  14. Ryan Newman
  15. Kurt Busch
  16. Bubba Wallace
  17. Michael McDowell
  18. Alex Bowman
  19. Ty Dillon
  20. Austin Dillon
  21. Ryan Blaney
  22. Clint Bowyer
  23. Chris Buescher
  24. Corey Lajoie
  25. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  26. Quin Houff
  27. Daniel Suarez
  28. J.J. Yeley
  29. Joey Gase
  30. Matt Kenseth
  31. Cole Custer
  32. Gray Gaulding
  33. Timmy Hill
  34. Garrett Smithley
  35. John Hunter Nemechek
  36. B.J. McLeod
  37. Brennan Poole
  38. Chase Elliott
  39. Ryan Preece

The abbreviated NASCAR Cup Series schedule race No. 6 traveles to Charlotte Motor Speedway  Sunday May 24th for the Coca-Cola 600  ( 2 : p.m. –  NASCAR CUP Series Bush Pole Qualifying)  FS1 / Sirus Radio    ( 6 : p.m. –  NASCAR CUP Series Coca-Cola 600 )   Fox  / Sirus Radio 

Sponsored By

More in NASCAR Cup Series