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Denny Hamlin Takes Toyota’s 13th Sprint Cup Regular Season Win

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Denny Hamlin's #11 Toyota Camry

It was just a week ago that we reminded our readers (again) that Toyota couldn’t seem to help itself from winning in NASCAR, and well—you’ve guessed it—it happened one more time.

The lucky winner this time around was Denny Hamlin, who was first to the checkered flag in his #11 Toyota Camry at Richmond International Raceway, taking the win in the final round of the Sprint Cup regular season.

It marked his third win of the season and Joe Gibbs Racing’s ninth in the last 15 races, as well as the team’s third consecutive victory at that specific track. Toyota’s domination at Richmond was complete: of the 407 laps, Toyota drivers led 385.

Despite this, it wasn’t a guaranteed victory. Hamlin seemed to have the win under his belt when the 16th yellow flag (a record) came down, forcing him to win it in overtime. Kasey Kahne, who needed a win to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, made a last-ditch effort for a miracle by pitting for tires, but ultimately couldn’t challenge Hamlin.

The Chase will begin this Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway, starting with a field of 16 drivers, including the 12 who have shared the 26 race wins during this year’s regular Sprint Cup season. Of those 26, Toyota has won a solid half, Chevrolet has won seven, and Ford has won six.

Over the course of nine upcoming rounds, the 16 Chase drivers will be whittled down to a final four who will face for the title on November 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. All five Toytoa drivers—the four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers and Furniture Row Racing’s Martin Truex Jr., who won last week—are the favorites to win it. Stay tuned!