Denny Hamlin gives Toyota its first victory of the season

Occupying a somewhat resplendent 22nd place in the general classification before the start, Denny Hamlin benefited from a perfect strategy from Joe Gibbs Racing to pocket this long-awaited victory. By choosing a late stop during the last segment, his team forced him into an attacking end of the race, which seemed to have awakened his hunting instincts. Denny Hamlin remains an eternal uncrowned champion of NASCAR, but the strong comeback of Toyota puts him back in the title race.

Denny Hamlin takes the checkered flag © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Martin Truex Jr. was the main leader of this round, notably winning the second segment, but he had to lose in the final loops to his teammate. He finished in 4th place, ahead of reigning champion Kyle Larson, and participated in the good team result of Joe Gibbs which placed his 4 drivers in the top 10 with Christopher Bell 6th and Kyle Busch 9th. The team's perfect pit stops, thanks to a new and very efficient ballet from the mechanics, will certainly not fail to heat up the VCRs among its competitors.

Martin Truex Jr. loses in the final laps © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

On this very technical circuit, experience paid off as Kevin Harvick took second place, half a second behind Denny Hamlin after having modeled his pit stop strategy on him. After 12 races in a row won by drivers under 30, this return to the forefront of the old hands of the discipline paradoxically has a rather refreshing aspect.

This is just what he needed! @dennyhamlin catches a huge 🏁 in Richmond! #ToyotaOwners400 pic.twitter.com/OKV3Ts6PVi

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 3, 2022

William Byron thought he had done the hardest part by leading 122 laps, including 71 during the 170 laps that made up the final segment, but he was unable to do anything with tires that were 43 laps longer than those of Denny Hamlin. He took a good 3rd place in the momentum of his victory in Atlanta.

Ryan Blaney, who had signed his third pole position this season, animated the start of the race by leading 129 laps and winning the first segment, his third this season. He had to fall into line at the end of the race and finished in a good seventh place.

Ryan Blaney king of qualifying © Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The next race will take place at night on Saturday evening in Martinsville on the smallest circuit of the season.

Standings for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond: