How Denny Hamlin stole a win at NASCAR’s Clash at the Coliseum after a late restart
Denny Hamlin has won the first NASCAR race of 2024.
The 43-year-old veteran, who is resented as much as he is revered throughout the sport, took the checkered flag in the Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the exhibition race that opens the Cup Series season.
As FOX Sports pit reporter Jamie Little wrapped up their post-race interview, Hamlin reached his arm out toward her microphone. He had something else to say.
“You know I beat your favorite driver again, right?” Hamlin said, repeating his line after winning last year’s playoff race at Bristol.
Hamlin hadn’t received as many boos as usual from the crowd at the sparsely-attended race that was initially scheduled for Sunday. With heavy rain and severe flooding expected in the Los Angeles area, NASCAR officials made the call to run the race on Saturday night less than five hours before the green flag waved.
Hamlin, who started on the pole and led the race early, jumped in front of Kyle Busch and the rest of the field on a restart with two laps left. It’s the fourth time Hamlin has won the Clash (2006, 2014 and 2016, at Daytona), delivering Joe Gibbs Racing its series-best 12th victory in the season-opening exhibition race.
Ty Gibbs, who officially finished 18th after a last-lap spin, held multiple substantial leads and led for a field-best 82 laps. Joey Logano and Busch also ran toward the front for the majority of the race.
Busch finished second, defending champion Ryan Blaney third, Logano fourth and Kyle Larson fifth.
“I clean off all the trophies every January 1 in the entry way of the house,” Hamlin said. “Now we get to add one pretty quick.”
Drivers do not earn points from Saturday’s race. The Daytona 500, on Feb. 18, will officially begin the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Other observations from LA Coliseum
▪ The first 70 laps were green. After last year’s Clash featured 16 cautions, Saturday’s race remained green until Lap 71. Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Ty Gibbs were in front for roughly the first half of a race that saw little movement. Todd Gilliland, in 22nd, spun and prompted the first red flag.
▪ Chase Elliott was among those who didn’t finish the race. NASCAR’s most popular driver for the sixth straight year despite a winless season, Elliott had a steering issue after contact and didn’t return after Lap 77. Gilliland, Michael McDowell, Noah Gragson and Justin Haley also saw their races end in wrecks before the checkered flag.
▪ Some notable drivers didn’t qualify for the 23-car field. Christopher Bell and Chris Buescher, who both lasted well into last year’s Cup Series playoffs, were among the 13 drivers who didn’t qualify. We also didn’t get to see Cup rookies Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry and Zane Smith.
