Hamlin Delivers the Checkers at Richmond

RICHMOND – April 3, 2022 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK

NASCAR Cup Series locates to Richmond, Virginia for the Toyota Owners 400 hosted by Richmond International Raceway.  This event will be the 7^th points scheduled race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Season.

Toyota Owners 400 – Stage 1 Recap:

Pole sitter Ryan Blaney collected his third stage win of the 2022 season in a dominating display leading every lap in the opening stage at Richmond International Raceway.

Toyota Owners 400 -Stage 1 Results:

1. Ryan Blaney
2. Willian Byron
3. Ross Chastain
4. Martin Truex
5. Kyle Busch
6. Chase Elliott
7. Christopher Bell
8. Joey Logano
9. Brad Keselowski
10. Kevin Harvick

Toyota Owners 400 – Stage 2 Recap:

Martin Truex Jr. two strategic pit sequences circulates Truex Jr. to the front while challenger Christopher Bell opts for one pit service stop. Truex Jr. guarded his line to claim Stage 2 honors.

Toyota Owners 400 – Stage 2 Results:

1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Christopher Bell
3. Ross Chastain
4. Joey Logano
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Chase Elliott
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Kyle Busch
9. Kyle Larson
10. Brad Keselowski

Toyota Owners 400   – Final Stage Recap:

Hamlin’s No. 11 team was among a select few whom pitted later in the race a second time in the final stage.

William Byron’s No. 24 team gambled by staying out on older tires and attempted to hold off any aggressors for the win.

Denny Hamlin late pit service enabled Hamlin to utilize newer tires for advancement in the final five laps of the race reeling in Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron on older tires.

The 41 year old Floridian native checks off is 47^th Nascar Cup Series victory in an illustrious 18 year Cup career.

Veteran Driver Kevin Harvick pit-strategy plan allowed the blue oval to contend for the win as the leaders attend final lap traffic.  Kevin was disappointed but Happy with a second place showing, sparking a step in a positive direction for Stewart-Haas Racing team.

Verifying the first victory of the 2022 season for Toyota Racing and first checker flag for Joe Gibbs Racing since Denny Hamlin’s September 26^th 2021 performance in Las Vegas Speedway.

Denny Hamlin 47th career race win broke a tie with NASCAR  Hall of Fame driver Elzie Wylie “Buck” Baker on the all times wins list.

William Byron is credited leading 71 laps after re-taking the lead on Lap 325 of 400.

Kevin Harvick finished in second place, 0.552 seconds behind Hamlin; Byron was third.

Toyota Owners 400 – Race Results:

1. Denny Hamlin, five laps led

2. Kevin Harvick

3. William Byron, 122 laps led

4. Martin Truex Jr., 80 laps led, Stage 2 winner

5. Kyle Larson

6. Christopher Bell, 63 laps led

7. Ryan Blaney, 128 laps led, Stage 1 winner

8. Alex Bowman

9. Kyle Busch, one lap led

10. Austin Dillon

11. Chase Briscoe

12. Tyler Reddick

13. Brad Keselowski

14. Chase Elliott

15. Chris Buescher

16. Daniel Suarez

17. Joey Logano, one lap down, one lap led

18. Harrison Burton, one lap down

19. Ross Chastain, one lap down

20. Austin Cindric, one lap down

21. Aric Almirola, two laps down

22. Cole Custer, two laps down

23. Erik Jones, two laps down

24. Ty Dillon, two laps down

25. Todd Gilliland, three laps down

26. Bubba Wallace, three laps down

27. AJ Allmendinger, four laps down

28. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., four laps down

29. Justin Haley, four laps down

30. Michael McDowell, five laps down

31. Corey LaJoie, eight laps down

32. Landon Cassill, 10 laps down

33. JJ Yeley, 10 laps down

34. BJ McLeod, 14 laps down

35. Kurt Busch, 109 laps down

36. Cody Ware – OUT, Accident

37. Greg Biffle – OUT, Suspension

The NASCAR Cup Series first Saturday night event of the season kicks off at Martinsville Speedway’s .526-mile paperclip located at Ridgeway, Virginia.

The event is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1 Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1), Siris-XM Nascar 90