Denny Hamlin left Darlington Raceway with a result far below what he expected after the NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener. The regular-season champion finished 18th in the Cook Out Southern 500 after leading 68 laps and scoring 16 stage points.
Hamlin said his No. 11 Toyota became stronger as the race went on, but a slow pit stop and contact with Michael McDowell changed his night. The crash sent Hamlin into the wall and left his team with major repairs.
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Christopher Bell won the NASCAR Cup Series race and reduced Hamlin’s points lead to 12 with nine playoff races remaining. Hamlin said the result was frustrating, especially at one...
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