Hamlin hits double in Phoenix, Logano eliminated

By winning last night in Arizona, Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing – Toyota) offered himself the opportunity to go for a first crown in Nascar Cup Series this Sunday in Miami, Florida.

Solid winner by ahead of his teammate Kyle Busch, Hamlin validated his qualification with his victory, when Kyle Busch took advantage of the poor performance of Joey Logano (Team Penske – Ford), only ninth, to snatch the last place and thus challenge Hamlin, but also Martin Truex Jr (Joe Gibbs) and Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Racing – Ford) for the title.

A disillusionment for Logano, reigning Cup Series champion, who, although he had dominated the second segment, saw his car lose all performance at the end of the event due to a poor tire pressure adjustment.

Another disappointment yesterday was Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet), who made a mistake on the 166th lap, and who saw his last qualifying hopes disappear.

Three Joe Gibbs drivers will therefore be in contention on Sunday for the 2019 title, Kyle Busch, Truex Jr and Hamlin facing Harvick on the Miami-Homestead oval.

Discover the report of the Phoenix event in Arizona, in issue 2242 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version and this Wednesday on newsstands.