Nascar – Denny Hamlin launched for the Chase

A week after his victory at Bristol, Denny Hamlin won again on the Atlanta oval and thus secured the Chase with four victories since the start of the season. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led the race for the longest time and managed to maintain the advantage over Jeff Gordon (Hendrick Motorsports) in the final laps of the race. Brad Keselowski (Dodge) ranks third ahead of Martin Truex Jr (Michael Waltrip Racing) and Kevin Harvick (Hendrick Motorsports). Joe Gibbs Racing can be proud of its weekend as Kyle Busch secures sixth place ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr (Hendrick), Paul Menard (Richard Childress Racing), Matt Kenseth (Roush Fenway Racing) and Mark Martin (Michael Waltrip Racing) .

The Atlanta event held several disappointments, notably for pole sitter Tony Stewart (Stewart-Haas Racing) who only took 22nd place after suffering from a lack of performance in the race. The reigning champion finished behind Juan-Pablo Montoya (Earnhardt Ganassi Racing). The situation becomes complicated for Carl Edwards (Roush Fenway Racing) who retired due to a mechanical problem and who loses two positions in the Championship as the Chase approaches (14th place). Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick) didn't see the checkered flag either. Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing) finished a modest 29th place.

Discover the report of the Nascar in Atlanta in the next issue of AUTOhebdo, available from Tuesday in digital version for iPad, PC and Mac, and from Wednesday on newsstands.