Hamlin Holds Off Harvick for W at Pocono

Denny Hamlin capitalized on a late pit stop to outlast Kevin Harvick at Long Pond. Hamlin checks off his 4^th win of the 2020 NASCAR Cup season and 6^th trophy of his career Sunday at Pocono Raceway.

LONG POND, PA. – June 29, 2020 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK

The NASCAR Cup Series wrapped up the NASCAR Cup Doubleheader at the 2.5 Tri-Oval Pocono Raceway Saturday, June 28, 2020 for the Pocono Organics 325.

The NASCAR Cup series doubleheader, the first of its kind in the modern era of NASCAR, was scheduled in 2019 and kept on track with essential personnel abiding with coronavirus pandemic restrictions.  Sunday, marking the first time NASCAR’s top three series held events on the same track on the same day.

As inclement weather made her presence felt as lightning advanced, NASCAR initiated a mandatory 30 minute safety caution before the start of the NASCAR Cup race.

The field was brought to green by Ryan Preece only to see the a pocket of storms invaded Long Pond once again and delay the race for another 50 minutes until jet dryers resolve issue. This marks the eighth weather-related delay or postponement this season in the NASCAR Cup series.

Pocono 350 – Stage 1 Results:

1. Joey Logano
2. Aric Almirola
3. Ryan Blaney
4. Kyle Busch
5. Chase Elliott
6. Kurt Busch
7. Matt DiBenedetto
8. Brad Keselowski
9. Alex Bowman

10.Erik Jones

Pocono 350 – Stage 2 Results:

1. Aric Almirola
2. Joey Logano
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Matt DiBendetto
6. Alex Bowman
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Kyle Busch
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Chase Elliott

In Saturday’s race, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick held Hamlin off to collect the win.

On Sunday, the situation was reversed as Hamlin’s team strategy to stay out long before taking his final pit stop made the difference.

Only 20 laps remaining, Denny Hamlin pitted and opted to take right side tires and fuel to get back on the track for position. Kevin Harvick who was off a 3 second pit sequence could not catch Hamlin in over the final laps and had to settle for second place.

Finishing third was Erik Jones, Hamlin’s teammate, followed by Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports stable and Aric Almirola, Harvick’s teammate.

Winless and Defending NASCAR CUP Champion Kyle Bush day ended on Lap 76  after alteration with Ryan Blaney, both spinning out force Bush into the infield barrier wall.

Pocono 350 – Final Stage Results

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

Denny Hamlin became the winningest active driver at Pocono Raceway and tied Jeff Gordon for the most all-time Cup wins at the 2.5-mile triangle track with six as the sun sunk below the Pennsylvania horizon.