Hamlin Takes Kyle Busch's Truck and Wins NCWS Race at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, VA – RIS – Denny Hamlin continued his expertise at Martinsville Speedway by winning Saturday’s Kroger 200 Camping World Truck Series race.  Hamlin passed both leader Austin Dillon and Ron Hornaday, taking them three-wide, to gain the point position and go on to the win.

Hamlin was driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the No, 18 Toyota that Busch has taken to many victories.

“Kyle asked me about a month ago so that he could concentrate on the Cup side of things,” Hamlin said.  “This always been a good track for me, even in the modified days.”

It was Hamlin’s first win in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, but he is no stranger to this small half mile track in southern Virginia.  Hamlin has at times dominated Sprint Cup races at the track, winning four times at this track in his short career in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.  He also became the 23rd driver to win in all three of NASCAR’s national series.  It was his first win in 12 tries on the truck circuit.

“It’s a big deal for me, maybe more than people think,” Hamlin said.  “From my standpoint, it means a lot to myself to win a truck race,” Hamlin said.  “This was just one of those weekends where everything worked out for us.”

Hornaday finished second and points leader Dillon finished third.  Johnny Sauter, Joey Coulter, and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five finishers.  Coulter was also the top finishing rookie.

Though there were 12 lead changes (among 8 drivers) the Kroger 200 saw little action until the second half of the race.  Pole sitter Matt Crafton and Hornaday battled early with Crafton leading often.  Crafton ended up leading 11 laps to Hornaday’s 30.  Hamlin led the most laps – 54. 

Hornaday took the lead at Lap 12 before giving away to Sauter, who led the next 35 laps. Hornaday regained the lead at Lap 48 and stayed in front until Lap 77, when Hamlin led for the first time.

Dillon took the lead by passing Hornaday at Lap 180, but his time in front were short-lived, as Hamlin made the three-wide move after the final caution to take the lead and go on to victory. 

Tempers flared after the race, with various drivers running into each other.  Johnny Sauter showed the most damage with the front of his Toyota getting destroyed.  It was typical Martinsville racing.

Dillon still holds the points lead with an 11 point lead over James Buescher and 15 points over Hornaday with two races remaining. 

Since Hamlin has several grandfather clocks, the traditional trophy at Martinsville, he was asked what he was going to do with this one.  “Uh, I’ll keep this one,” was his reply.  He was maybe thinking another one could come along in the Sprint Cup race on Sunday.