DARLINGTON, S.C. — Denny Hamlin raced to his third straight Nationwide victory at Darlington Raceway, pulling away from teammate Kyle Busch with five laps left.
Hamlin started from the pole and led much of the race Friday night.
Still, it was a side-by-side drag race with Busch on the last restart. Busch looked as if he had the stuff to prevail, moving about half a car length in front. But Hamlin’s Toyota quickly regained the lead and moved out to about a half-second edge.
Busch was second. Jamie McMurray, the pole winner earlier Friday for the Sprint Cup Southern 500, finished third.
Hamlin won this event in 2006 and 2007 and, like this time, started from the pole both times.
He didn’t compete in the Nationwide races at the track in 2008 and 2009.
For Hamlin, it was his 10th Nationwide win in 121 starts. And it was the first with crew chief Kevin Kidd.
Hamlin got a line on this victory with his qualifying run earlier Friday. He took advantage of the clean air out front to stay there, leading 111 of 147 laps. Plus, his prime position kept him free from another wreck-filled Darlington effort.
“I think we were a little bit better than the 20 (Hamlin) was, but it showed how pivotal clean air is out here,” Busch said.
Matt Kenseth, last year’s winner here, wrecked twice and took perhaps the hardest hit when the slammed the inside wall along. However, he waved to the crowd as he jumped in the ambulance for the routine check at the infield care center.
There were nine caution periods — one short of Darlington’s Nationwide record, last accomplished a year ago.
Kasey Kahne was fourth followed by Jason Leffler, Carl Edwards and series points leader Brad Keselowski.
Kevin Harvick, Brian Vickers and Paul Menard rounded out the top 10.
Hamlin is still feeling the effects of surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee. The Nationwide event ended a long day of Sprint Cup practice and qualifying.
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