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Hamlin the Winner at Martinsville, Johnson Strengthens NASCAR Points Lead
Denny Hamlin celebrates winning the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, his second career win at the Virginia short track.
Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR
By Brad Gerhart
Although Virginia native won his second race at Martinsville, fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase competitor Jimmie Johnson strengthened his chances for his fourth straight championship with a second place finish during Sunday’s TUMUS Fast Relief 500.
On lap 363 Hamlin snuck past the No.48 car of Johnson and did not give up the lead for the remainder of the event. In total Hamlin 206 laps, compared to Johnson’s 164. Both drivers were obviously the class of the field.
“Was able to get a little bit more out of the race car, which usually that's not the case, and obviously when you can step it up like that and gain a little bit of lap time, that's going to help you at the end, and I think that's what helped us,” said the race winner.
A late caution, the 14th of the day came out on lap 495 which gave Johnson a shot at the win, however Hamlin kept his ground onward to his seventh career victory.
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“Denny (Hamlin) had the best car there on that last run, and maybe the two runs before that he had the best. I knew at the end of the race that No. 11 car was going to be there and was going to be strong. Congratulations to him. It was a great day for us,” said Johnson.
Johnson increased his lead to 118 points over Mark Martin who finished the race in eighth. With only four contests left it sure looks like Johnson has what it takes to win yet another championship.. He’s been phenomenal since the 10 race Chase for the Sprint Cup began with no finish outside the top-nine, including three victories in the six races. “It's tough out here. There's a lot of competition and these guys are making more bite and turning in the center of the corner and we had our car turning in the center and we couldn't get both parts of it. We got one part. We're doing all we can,” said Martin. The Hendrick driver will need a best result next weekend and hope his teammate falters a little bit to tighten the gap.
Juan Pablo Montoya made several late race passes to finish third, although he’s been extremely consistent with his finishes he still trails Johnson by a large margin of 200 points. His championship hopes are all but gone, but he’s had a tremendous season, this being his first time in the Chase and he looks to gain even more experience for the 2010 season, where he should be a threat once again. He also had issues with Jeff Gordon on the track where the two had some close encounters. “If you give me room, I'll give you room. He wasn't giving me any, so I played the same game,” said Montoya. The two drivers discussed the incident afterwards and everything appeared to be fine.
The Talladega Superspeedway is ready for a NASCAR Sprint Cup showdown at the 2.66 mammoth track in which Tony Stewart won last October.
“You can't hide at that race track. You're in harms way at all times,” said Johnson.
So far he kept himself out of harm’s way, if it continues next week he’ll be one step closer to securing this seasons championship.
Brad Gerhart
Bgerhart@paddocktalk.com
PaddockTalk Perspective
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