While Wallace finished a lap down in 14th, a third-place finish in Stage 1 gave the 23XI Racing driver a large chunk of points that ended up being the difference as he advanced to the next round by four points. 'I beat your favorite driver!' Hamlin chirped. During driver introductions, Hamlin introduced to himself to the crowd simply by saying they knew exactly who he was.Īs Hamlin grasped the checkered flag - to a cascade of boos from the crowd - he made sure to remind them exactly what he had done. Hamlin's third career Bristol victory furthered his efforts to win his first Cup championship, and he also made Bristol's always-electric night race his platform to further entrench his standing as NASCAR's greatest heel. We've got the speed every single type of racetrack. I just feel like we've got it all put together. They've really kicked ass this whole first round,' Hamlin told NBC Sports. 'Can't thank this whole FedEx team enough. Bass Pro Shops Night Race unofficial results and Michael McDowell were both eliminated from the playoffs as well. and Bubba Wallace both made it to the next round of the playoffs, capitalizing on issues for 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick and defending Cup champion Joey Logano that resulted in them being eliminated from the playoffs.ĭespite top-10 finishes, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. Hamlin led the way among the 12 drivers who advanced to the next round of the playoffs, a group that included two drivers who had entered Saturday night's race below the cut line and in danger of elimination.

Hamlin took the win in convincing fashion over the final 150 laps, passing Ty Gibbs and then pulling away from Kyle Larson over the final green flag run. After securing his spot in the Round of 12 of the NASCAR playoffs on points, Denny Hamlin took complete control of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway to earn his third win of the 2023 season and the 51st of his Cup Series career.

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