Denny Hamlin Captures First Career Coca-Cola 600 Victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Denny Hamlin has won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, giving him his first career victory in the NASCAR Cup Series. The win came after he took four fresh tires during his final pit stop, and he was able to hold off Kyle Busch in double overtime. This victory was his first career Coca-Cola 600 victory, and he has set his sights on the 2022 season.

For 17 years, Denny Hamlin dreamed of winning the Coca-Cola 600, and his long wait finally came true this Sunday. The 48-year-old captured his first career Coca-Cola 600 victory, his 48th Cup Series win and his first points victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Joe Gibbs, his teammate, said that he knew this was going to be a big win for his driver.

With this victory, Hamlin also became the 12th driver in NASCAR history to win all three crown jewel races. Currently, only Kevin Harvick holds all three titles, and he is the only active driver to do so.

The Coca-Cola 600 was the longest race in Cup Series history and featured a record-breaking 413 laps. It had 18 caution flags and featured 31 lead changes. It took over five hours and sixteen minutes to complete the race. The race was also marked by many crashes. Many drivers ended up spun out or damaged, but Hamlin emerged triumphant.

A few laps later, the race goes green. The 15th caution of the race is brought out due to debris. The lead is briefly taken by Chastain after Erik Jones is bumped into the wall by Aric Almirola. With 76 laps remaining, Chastain regains the lead. After a few pit stops, Reddick takes the lead under stage four’s green flag. The next lap, however, has a caution for Ryan Preece after a crash between him and Noah Gragson.