Domination is the Game at New Hampshire for Denny Hamlin

A week after tweeting a prediction that he would win the Sylvania 300, Denny Hamlin followed through, backing it up with a dominating victory in Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Hamlin, who started 32nd after a qualifying miscue, charged his way to the front in his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing FedEx Toyota to take the lead on Lap 93 and never look back. Hamlin dominated the race, leading four times for a race-high 193 laps. This is his fifth victory of the season and the 22nd victory in his career. Today’s win by Hamlin, also gave Joe Gibbs Racing their 100th NASCAR Sprint Cup victory.

Hamlin celebrated with a burnout down the front stretch of the 1.058-mile oval. He then brought his No. 11 Toyota to a stop on the granite stripe at the finish line and climbed out of his car. He then took a batter’s stance, a la David Papi, called his shot, and knocked an imaginary home run over the catch fence.

“It doesn’t hurt to have a little confidence there at the end,’’ said Hamlin in victory lane.

Jimmie Johnson finished second followed by Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Brad Keselowski, and Tony Stewart. The top seven finishers are all in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Johnson took the points lead over Keselowski, who won the first Chase race, while Hamlin moved to third in the Chase standings.

Hamlin said he had no regrets about his bold prediction, which made headlines this week and put pressure on Hamlin and his team.

“You don’t want to sound too cocky, but I knew what we were capable of,” Hamlin said. “Our car was extremely strong and I have a really good knack for this racetrack and those two together with a crew chief like Darian (Grubb) is a good combination.”

There were no crashes in the race and just four caution flags, one a competition caution and three for debris on the track.

The next race for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is next Sunday, September 30th, at Dover International Speedway.

Unofficial Race Results (Bold is Chase drivers):

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Clint Bowyer
5. Kasey Kahne
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Tony Stewart
8. Joey Logano
9. Brian Vickers
10. Ryan Newman
11. Kevin Harvick
12. Paul Menard
13. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
14. Matt Kenseth
15. Jeff Burton
16. Regan Smith
17. Martin Truex Jr.
18. Greg Biffle
19. Carl Edwards
20. Bobby Labonte
21. Sam Hornish Jr.
22. Juan Pablo Montoya
23. Aric Almirola
24. Marcos Ambrose
25. Kurt Busch
26. Jamie McMurray
27. Landon Cassill
28. Kyle Busch
29. David Ragan
30. David Reutimann
31. Travis Kvapil
32. David Gilliland
33. Mike Olsen
34. Stephen Leicht
35. David Stremme
36. Casey Mears
37. Michael McDowell
38. Scott Speed
39. Joe Nemechek
40. Tony Raines
41. JJ Yeley
42. Reed Sorenson
43. Kelly Bires