After Hamlin's pit team snatches a victory from the in control and irate Truex, Gibbs has a good problem.

 

(AP) RICHMOND, VA. Even following a weekend sweep at Richmond Raceway, Joe Gibbs surely anticipates some challenges during this week's organizational meeting of his four NASCAR Cup Series teams.

Following Chandler Smith's 1-2-3 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, the owner had two drivers on Sunday night: a well-respected, normally very affable driver who was disappointed by the circumstances that left him, at least temporarily, bitter, and a humble, very fortunate, and grateful winner.

When a late yellow brought the field to their pits for an overtime two-lap sprint, Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing moved up to the lead. After adversary Kyle Larson spun and brought out a caution with two laps remaining, teammate Martin Truex Jr. fell from an almost certain victory to a fourth-place finish. This sent all the competitors to pit road, where Hamlin's squad emerged victorious.

After Truex dominated the second part of the race, Hamlin bragged about his once-troublesome pit crew and took out on Lap 406, which is the leader's prerogative for a restart. Hamlin raced Truex into the first turn and held him off to win.

Regarding the restart, Hamlin remarked, "I went right at it, for sure." "When I saw those guys rolling toward me, I did that." The 22 was lounging around. The 19 was moving at a somewhat faster speed than me. I refused to give them the edge that my team had gained on pit road.

Unusually irritated, Truex side swiped Larson during the cool-down lap before slamming his teammate three times to vent his frustration.

"I don't know what happened after we were beaten out of the pits. Although NASCAR stated that the restart was within permissible bounds, Truex claimed that "he jumped the start and then used me up into Turn 1."

Gibbs was asked to evaluate the result.

It's quite difficult to win these things. So don't race that hard when you have an experience like Martin had tonight. During one of our pit stops, Larson was ahead of us, but he quickly returned and grabbed it. He gave it his all in driving. With three laps remaining, we proceed that far before being warned, and it was disastrous. After that, we finished the pit stop in second place.

Gibbs was asked to evaluate the result.

It's quite difficult to win these things. So don't race that hard when you have an experience like Martin had tonight. During one of our pit stops, Larson was ahead of us, but he quickly returned and grabbed it. He gave it his all in driving. With three laps remaining, we proceed that far before being warned, and it was disastrous. After that, we finished the pit stop in second place.

Larson remarked, "I was surprised when Martin turned left on me down the backstretch after the checkered because he's probably the most respected guy in the garage area." Everything is well. I sincerely hope he doesn't harbor any animosity toward me, as I don't have any.

"I got a lot of respect for him, like I said."

For the last stop, Hamlin, however, gave his pit team high praise. He's been more likely in recent years to accuse the crazy folks of costing him victories. He gave them credit this time.

Curiously, Truex used to be a member of his crew.

"It seems like I just got through a phase in 2020 or 2021 where I was afraid every time I went down pit road." "Please, just give up one spot." He claimed that "it was bad for a really long time." "We've finally turned the corner and are heading in the opposite direction.

These guys have, I believe, been together for three years running. They played for Martin's squad a few years back, but in their rookie season, they were inexperienced and made a lot of mistakes.

Right now? When the occasion arises, they are winning him races.


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