Martin Truex Jr. dominated the Toyota Owners 500 on Easter Sunday. However, it was Denny Hamlin that left Richmond Raceway with the NASCAR win.
Kyle Larson started from the pole position in Sunday’s race (3/31). It appeared that the race would come down to a competition between Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle. Kyle was able to lead 144 laps and score the win in stage one. However, Martin led a race-high 228 laps, win stage two and dominate the last half of the race.
It appeared that Martin would get his first win of the 2024 season as he was leading with just two laps remaining. Kyle Larson got bumped by Bubba Wallace sending Kyle’s cars sliding and bringing out the 5th and final caution of the day. Since Martin had not taken the white flag yet, that sent the race into the NASCAR overtime of a green-white-checkered finish.
All the cars pitted under caution to get fresh tires for the two-lap shoot-out. Denny Hamlin’s pit crew got him out of the pits with the lead. That gave him control on the re-start. Denny was able to gain the advantage entering the re-start zone and hold off Martin Truex Jr.’s challenge to take the lead. Denny led the final two laps to take the win.
This was Denny’s 2nd win of the 2024 Cup Series season. It was 5th Cup series win at Richmond Raceway, his home track. Denny now has 53 career Cup Series wins.
Joey Logano was able to take home the runner-up finish. Kyle Larson rebounded from his spin to finish in third-place. See the complete race results for the Toyota Owners 500 at Richmond Raceway here.
Martin Truex Jr. was obviously upset with Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. He bumped their cars with his after the conclusion of the race.
Leaving Richmond, despite dominating the race and now winning, Martin Truex Jr. remains the leader in the point standings. Kyle Larson moved up three positions to take over 2nd-place. Denny Hamlin moved up one spot to third. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
Next on the schedule for the NASCAR Cup teams is the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway Sunday afternoon, April 7th.
By: Buck Stevens
