NASCAR: Denny Hamlin Takes 2024 Win No. 3 at Dover

Denny Hamlin claimed his third win of 2024 on Sunday at Dover by holding off Kyle Larson.

Hamlin took the lead on lap 329 of the 400-lap race after the final restart and never relinquished it, although Larson gave him a chance to win over the final 15 laps. Larson got within a half-second of Hamlin as the checkered flag approached, but Hamlin held him off by moving up and taking Larson’s line.

After taking the pole position for Saturday’s race, fourth-place finisher Kyle Busch said NASCAR’s current Cup Series car was better at defending than attacking. Busch’s words were prophetic on Sunday, as Hamlin was able to sap Larson’s forward momentum in the corners by driving in the same groove as Larson.

Larson caught Hamlin by moving toward the wall in the corners of the concrete oval track as Hamlin drove down the track. But Larson’s advance was halted when Hamlin drove his car off the bottom groove and in front of Larson.

It is the 54th victory of Hamlin’s career, which puts him in 12th place on the Cup Series winning list, tied with Lee Petty, father of seven-time champion Richard Petty.

“It’s just awesome, I couldn’t hold on to Lee Petty’s helmet,” said Hamlin.

Hamlin has established himself as one of the best Cup Series drivers ever, despite his lack of a Cup Series title. He’s had a strong chance at the title on what seems like an annual basis for the past 15 years, and he’s once again positioned for either late-season disappointment or long-awaited glory in 2024.

Hamlin has three wins in 11 races this season, tied with Daytona 500 winner William Byron for the most in the Cup Series.

Thanks to Larson’s win in Las Vegas earlier this season, Chase Elliott’s victory in Texas and a win by Hamlin’s teammate Christopher Bell, the Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won nine races so far this season. There’s still a long way to go before the season finale in Phoenix in November, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the four drivers vying for the title are all from Hendrick or JGR.

Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. was third between Larson and Busch, with Elliott fifth. Truex appeared to have a car capable of winning on Sunday, but he was slowed slightly by damage to the front of his car. Truex hit Alex Bowman’s rear bumper on a restart, and the contact caused a separation between the car’s grille and splitter.

Wallace, Bell and Byron are involved in a car accident

The final warning of the day came for an accident involving Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell and William Byron.

All three drivers were on course for a top-15 finish before Wallace spun after contact with Zane Smith, then passed Byron and Bell, with all three drivers failing to finish.

Dover Results

1. Denny Hamlin

2. Kyle Larson

3. Martin Truex Jr.

4. Kyle Busch

5. Chase Elliott

6. Noah Gragson

7. Ryan Blakey

8. Alex Bowman

9. Daniel Henric

10. Ty Gibbs

11. Tyler Reddick

12. Ross Chastain

13. AJ Allmendinger

14. Josh Berry

15. Austin Cindric

16. Joey Logano

17. Chris Buescher

18.Daniel Suarez

19. Chase Briscoe

20. John Hunter Nemechek

21. Corey LaJoie

22. Carson however

23. Justin Haley

24. Zane Smith

25. Corey Heim

26.Harrison Burton

27. Austin Dillon

28. Jimmie Johnson

29. Kaz Grala

30. Brad Keselowski

31. Todd Gilliland

32. Bubba Wallace

33.William Byron

34.Christopher Bell

35. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

36.Michael McDowell

37. Ryan Preece