Denny Hamlin Triumphs at Bristol with Smart Tire Tactic

Denny Hamlin claimed victory in the Food City 500, standing out for his impeccable tire management.
The race was characterized by an impressive number of changes in the lead position, totaling 54. Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, overtook Martin Truex Jr., also from his team, in the last laps, securing a lead of just over one second at the finish line.

This success in Bristol marks Hamlin's fourth win at this track and his first victory of the season, bringing his total to 52 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The main challenge in this race was the unusual tire management. Although the same tires were used as in previous races without issues, the concrete surface this time presented unique challenges. The change in weather conditions and alterations in the track treatment impacted tire behavior.

With his experience on short tracks, Hamlin demonstrated outstanding ability to adapt to these unexpected conditions, a skill honed on tracks like South Boston and Martinsville.

Tire strategy was also crucial for Truex Jr., who managed to briefly lead the race before Hamlin regained the front. Ultimately, the wear on Truex's tires facilitated Hamlin's advantage.

The Joe Gibbs Racing team had a dominant presence in the race, with Ty Gibbs, Truex, and Christopher Bell leading a significant number of laps. Brad Keselowski finished in a respectable third place, while Hendrick Motorsports drivers Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson ranked in the top five.