Denny Hamlin Wins NASCAR Throwback Weekend Race at Darlington

Posted on September 5, 2017

NASCAR‘s Throwback Weekend featured a Sunday night race at the track “Too Tough To Tame” and it was Denny Hamlin that emerged victorious in the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars sported Throwback paint schemes and were led on the parade laps not only by the official pace car, but also by “The King” Richard Petty driving a replica of the #43 STP Plymouth that he raced in the past.

When the green flag dropped it looked as though this season’s dominate driver Martin Truex Jr. would be the car to beat for the win at Darlington. He won both the first and second stages of the race.

However, in the third and final stage Denny Hamlin began a serious challenge of Martin for the race. Denny and Kyle Larson tied for the most laps led in the 367 lap race. Both drivers were out front for 124 laps each.

It was Denny that led the most important one, the last lap. Denny crossed the finish line first under the checkered flag to claim his second win at “The Lady In Black” (another track nickname for Darlington) and his second win at the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Kyle Busch raced his way to a runner-up finish with his brother Kurt Busch just behind him in third place. Austin Dillon grabbed fourth place and rookie Erik Jones rounded out the top five. See the complete race results for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 here.

While he wasn’t able to win the race, Martin Truex Jr. not only held on to the top spot in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings, he clinched the regular season point title and claimed the 15 bonus playoff points that come with that accomplishment. Kyle Busch is second in the point standings followed by Kyle Larson in third. Kevin Harvick holds fourth place while Sunday’s race winner Denny Hamlin claims the fifth position in the point standings. See the complete Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.

There is one race remaining before NASCAR’s playoffs begin. That means for many drivers there is just one race left to WIN to get in. You can bet that will make the Federated Auto Parts 400 Saturday night (9/9/17) under the lights an exciting one to watch at Richmond Raceway.

By: Buck Stevens

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2017 Bojangles' Southern 500

DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 03: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty drives the #43 STP Plymouth prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 3, 2017 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 03: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty drives the #43 STP Plymouth prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 3, 2017 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

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