The Advent Health 400 proved to be a barnburner, both in terms of the racing and the actual temperature. 400 miles in 92 degree heat and about 120 degrees on the track tested each driver both physically and mentally. After 37 lead changes, a new record for a 400 mile race on a 1.5 mile race track, Denny Hamlin emerged victorious. But not without controversy.
The race came down to Hamlin and Kyle Larson battling it out in the last 15 laps of the race. Toyota showed better long run speed all weekend long, so it became a matter of how long it would take Denny Hamlin to catch the leader.
With four laps to go, Hamlin attempted to pass Larson on the inside, but was unable to clear him. This would be the story for the next three laps, as Hamlin continued to come incredibly close to passing Larson.
Time was running out, and Hamlin needed to make his final push as the white flag came out. Through turns one and two, Denny Hamlin once again made his move to pass Larson on the inside, only for his momentum to stall out.
Hamlin didn’t lift as he had in laps prior, staying on the inside of Larson as they went down the backstretch. Larson’s car was loose throughout the battle, and down the backstretch, Hamlin’s Toyota Camry hit the back left quarter panel, which led to Larson hitting the outside wall. Finally clear of Larson, Hamlin crossed the finish line first, winning his first race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season and punching his ticket into the playoffs.
Hamlin’s crew chief Chris Gabehart didn’t shy away from giving Hamlin’s competitor credit.
“You can print this. I think pound-for-pound, the type of racing, and all the things he wins in, Kyle Larson is the most talented race car driver in the world today. And Denny Hamlin beat him today. What does that say about Denny Hamlin?”
With the win on Sunday, Hamlin stepped one win closer to his goal of 60 career wins. This was win 49 for the driver, tying him with former teammate Tony Stewart for 15th all- time on NASCAR career win list. Hamlin’s victory also marks the 400th win for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Despite the milestones, Hamlin exited his car after his burnouts to a chorus of boos from the partisan Kyle Larson-leaning fans. Hamlin said he would have preferred if the end of the race hadn’t been decided by contact, but was unaffected by the boos from the fans. However, Hamlin did state that he understands if Larson wasn’t as relaxed about the ending of the race.
“Roles reversed, I’m like, dammit I’m pissed,” Hamlin said. “I would definitely respect any opinion he might have.”
While tensions grew between Hamlin and Larson, a recent rival of Hamlin both congratulated the winner, and gained a new rival.
Ross Chastain’s long list of rivals gained two new members, as Chastain drew the ire of Kyle Busch and Noah Gragson during the course of the race. While Busch’s irritation towards Chastain was verbal, Gragson made it physical following the race, grabbing Chastain. As a security guard came in to separate the two, Chastain threw a solid punch which connected with Gragson. The two were separated as Gragson attempted to continue the altercation.
“The guy just runs into everyone,” Noah Gragson told MRN Radio. “When you got guys like Chase Elliott, other guys telling you to go beat his ass. Everyone’s sick and tired of him but nobody has the balls to go up and get him. I’m tired of it.”
“Someone had to do it,” Chase Elliott said on pit road.
Chastain leads the regular season points standings, but finds himself without a win. There have been nine winners this year in 12 races and if the rate of new winners continues, Chastain may have to lead the points in order to make the playoffs. He’s made an enemy out of half the field. Time will tell if one of them costs him in the future. Chastain finished fifth.
Despite 11 cautions, only three cars failed to finish the race. Christopher Bell had been challenging Chastain for the points lead, but a crash on lap 159 ended Bell’s day, resulting in Chastain’s points lead growing to 31.
Kyle Busch and Ty Gibbs had the misfortune of spinning down the backstretch into the inside wall, ending their days early.
William Byron finished third, recovering from an early speeding penalty on pit road. Kyle Larson had recovered from being spun out while leading on Lap 6 before his 2nd place finish. Last season’s fall winner Bubba Wallace finished fourth.
The NASCAR Cup Series throws it back to Darlington Raceway next week for the Goodyear 400. The race will kick off at 2 PM central on FS1. This will be the final race before the All Star Race at North Wilkesboro.