Denny Hamlin Delivers an opening Playoff Trophy holding off Kyle Larson at the Lady in Black.
DARLINGTON – September 5, 2021 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs opened Sunday with the Cook Out Southern 500.
With an intensive battle for the final green flag honors Denny Hamlin held off Kyle Larson’s advancement winning the Southern 500 for the third time. It was his first win for Hamlin of the 2021 season.
Denny Hamlin defended his line keeping Kyle Larson at bay over the final segment. 2021 Regular season Champ would take one last jab Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota. Running out relestate Larson greats the Turn 3 safety barrier wall contacting race leader Denny Hamlin. Hamlin was able to keep his car in composure as Larson faded in his rear view mirror.
Cook Out Southern 500
Skinny:
With Denny Hamlin’s victory in the playoff opener, he will now automatically advance to the Round of 12.
Stage 2 displayed Two-time NASCAR Series Champion Kyle Busch tangling with Austin Dillon and Turn 2 Safety barrier wall resulting with an immediate trip to the garage and out of hopes for contention.
2020 Defending NASCAR Cup Champion Chase Elliott saw race ended with a Darlington Stripe when he tagged the wall on a three-wide run 42 laps from the completion.
William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman collided early in Stage after brushing the safety barrier wall entering Turn 1. Byron’s eight seed will take an enormous blow bowing down to 34th finish.
Young Money’ Kylee Larson found a familiar place for his third consecutive runner-up finish at Darlington
Ross Chastain landed in the sand box earning his third top five of the season
Finishing fourth for Martin Truex Jr. fell short from his previous May win with the Lady in Black.
Happy Harvick‘s earned his 12th consecutive top 10 at Darlington with a fifth place finish
Darlington Raceway Results
September 5, 2021
NASCAR Cup Series
(Cook Out Southern 500)
Pos | Driver
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Larson
3. Ross Chastain
4. Martin Truex Jr
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Kurt Busch
7. Brad Keselowski
8. Joey Logano
9. Chris Buescher
10. Austin Dillon
11. Cole Custer
12. Ryan Preece
13. Daniel Suarez
14. Ryan Newman
15. Corey LaJoie
16. Aric Almirola
17. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
18. Tyler Reddick
19. Chase Briscoe
20. Christopher Bell
21. Bubba Wallace
22. Ryan Blaney
23. Matt DiBenedetto
24. Anthony Alfredo
25. Justin Haley
26. Alex Bowman
27. BJ McLeod
28. Josh Bilciki
29. Joey Gase
30. Qui Houff
31. Chase Elliott
32. Erik Jones
33. Cody Ware
34. William Byron
35. Kyle Busch
36. James Davison
37. Michael McDowell
NASCAR Cup playoff standings after Darlington Race
(Cook Out Southern 500)
1. Denny Hamlin – WIN
2. Kyle Larson – 2,106 points (+80 above cut line)
3. Martin Truex Jr. – 2,062 points (+36)
4. Kurt Busch – 2,052 points (+26)
5. Ryan Blaney – 2,048 points (+22)
6. Joey Logano – 2,047 points (+21)
7. Kevin Harvick – 2,046 points (+20)
8. Brad Keselowski – 2,038 points (+12)
9. Christopher Bell – 2,031 points (+5)
10. Chase Elliott – 2,030 points (+4)
11. Aric Almirola – 2,029 points (+3)
12. Tyler Reddick – 2,026 points (0)
13. Alex Bowman – 2,026 points (0)
14. Kyle Busch – 2,024 points (-2)
15. William Byron – 2,017 points (-9)
16. Michael McDowell – 2,006 points (-20)
Stage #1
Top Ten: 11, 5, 1, 12, 4, 19, 8, 10, 42, 22
Stage #2
Top Ten: 5, 20, 42, 11, 4, 1, 22, 9, 12, 7
Busch Pole Award: Ryan Blaney, #12 0 mph
Time of Race: 4 Hrs, 8 Mins, 1 Secs.
Average Speed:1 21.279 MPH
Margin of Victory: .212 Seconds
Caution Flags 11 for 52 laps; Laps:
Lead Changes 18 among 10 drivers
The NASCAR Cup series playoffs continue at Richmond, Virginia, Saturday, Sept. 11 for the Federal Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders hosted by Richmond Raceway – (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN)
Brad Keselowski won there in Sept. 2020 while Alex Bowman won at Richmond this past April.
