With less than twenty laps left, Denny Hamlin came across his radio and told his crew chief that he was going to win the race. At that time he was not in the lead but his crew chief simply said “I know” as if there were no doubt in his mind.

The restart came with 13 laps left and Hamlin made his move. He passed race leader Clint Bowyer with 10 laps to go and never looked back.

In Victory Lane, Hamlin took a few moments to collect himself before climbing out with tears in his eyes.

“We come close in a lot of races this year and come up short,” Hamlin said. “Definitely had some angels with us today… (I lost) my grandmother a few days ago.”

Hamlin’s grandmother, Thelma Clark, died at the age of 91 only three days ago.

This win is the 73rd for Joe Gibbs Racing and Hamlin’s first of the season which has moved him to fifth in the point standings.

Crossing the stripe behind Hamlin were Juan Pablo Montoya in second and Clint Bowyer in third. Sam Hornish raced his way to a career best finish of fourth and Kasey Kahne rounded out the top-five.

Brian Vickers, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart made up the top-10.

Defending series champion Jimmie Johnson experience mechanical problems during the race and was as many as three laps down at one point. He rallied back and managed a top-15 finish.

“I’m just so proud of the fight this race team has,” Johnson said after the race. “For us to come from three laps down to get back on the lead lap and salvage a 13th place finish.”

Greg Biffle now sits on the 12th place bubble in championship points with Kyle Busch in 13th place just barely out of the Chase spots. There are only five races left before the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins.

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