One MWR engine remained to run in front for most of the STP 400 in Kansas only to have the power of sunlight pull the rug. Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin both started in the top 10 off the grid. Both suffered engine trouble leaving Martin Truex, Jr. to battle for the MWR banner.
The #56 NAPA Toyota ran well, hugging the wall for fast laps. That was until the sun came out from the clouds and track conditions changed just enough to loosen the Truex car and allow a hard charging Denny Hamlin to get the lead with 30 to go. Truex gave it a couple of dives on the inside of Hamlin in the last few but could not hold the line and get by.
There were a number of big gains through the field, but few could make it up to challenge the top spots. Jimmie Johnson made a go of it after starting 15th and finishing 3rd. Matt Kenseth and points leader Greg Biffle started back in 18th and 17th in the line to roll the checkers at 4th and 5th.
Kevin Harvick dropped back a few slots. Starting 2nd and finishing 6th.
While Johnson was making his run, two other Hendrick drivers, Earnhardt, Jr. and Kahne, finished where they started but for one slot. Dale Jr., started and finished in 7th while Kahne gained one slot for 9th.
Jeff Gordon could not seem to get the #24 Chevy to challenge even before some kind of engine trouble put him 3 laps down.
Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch started mid pack to round out the top 10.
Pole sitter A.J. Allmendinger developed engine troubles and the hood was up for the Penske Dodge to finish 10 laps back.
Hamlin now carries two season wins on his way home to Virginia and the Richmond International Raceway. This will be a highlight week for Hamlin as he hosts the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown with a fresh win on his shoulders. This charity fund raising event puts Hamlin and many other stars of NASCAR on the track to race with local Late Model Stock Drivers.
The FedEx #11 and Hamlin also have a good history with two wins in Cup races at Richmond.
Sprint Cup Series 400 weekend is shaping up to be a highlight for fans also. Two races are set for Thursday with the Hamlin Showdown and the K&N Pro Series Blue Ox 100.
Friday features the Nationwide Series Virginia 529 College Savings 250. Saturday under lights the Sprint Cup race runs.
Denny Hamlin is coming off a win with momentum to a home track. Greg Biffle is still on top of the points. Defending Champion Tony Stewart is charging with two wins also. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has won at RIchmond before and is 4th in points without a win this season.
Wrap it up with every other driver and team at Richmond and you have a show!
The race is under the lights at Richmond so sunlight shouldn’t be an issue…