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Denny Hamlin caps impressive comeback from pit error to capture Southern 500

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Denny Hamlin chases down Martin Truex Jr. with only three laps to go and holds on for the Southern 500 win, despite missing pit road earlier in the race.

DARLINGTON, S.C. – Denny Hamlin rebounded from a major mistake, taking the lead from Martin Truex Jr. with two laps remaining and hanging on to sweep the weekend at Darlington Raceway.

It was Hamlin’s second 500-mile win at the 1.366-mile oval and his first on Labor Day weekend. He won Friday’s Xfinity race at Darlington from the pole position.

Hamlin had been in control of the race before he missed the pits while leading under green on Lap 315 of 367. He made up a nearly 20-second deficit on the lead over the final 52 laps in his No. 11 Toyota.

“Drove our ass off,” Hamlin told NBCSN’s Rutledge Wood after his second victory of the season and 31st of his career. “That’s as hard as I can drive.”

Kyle Busch finished second, followed by Kurt Busch, Austin Dillon and Erik Jones.

MORE: Race results.

MORE: Points standings.

Trying to defend his 2016 Southern 500 win, Truex nearly made it a sweep of his own after winning the first two stages, but he smacked the while leading on Lap 365 with a flat right-front tire after trying to stretch it on worn rubber after making his final pit stop under green with 62 laps remaining.

The Furniture Row Racing driver finished eighth and clinched the regular-season points championship, ensuring he will have at least 52 playoff points for the 10-race title run that closes the season.

Stage 1: Truex nips Larson for win.

Stage 2: Truex captures 17th stage victory of the season.
HOW DENNY HAMLIN WON: He led four times for 124 laps, overcoming a massive deficit to take advantage of Truex’s misfortune.

WHO HAD A GOOD NIGHT: Kevin Harvick (sixth) became only the 17th driver to score his 300th top 10 in Cup (joining only Jimime Johnson and Matt Kenseth among active drivers). The Stewart-Haas Racing driver will make his 600th start next week. ... Runner-up Kyle Busch has finished first or second in three of the past five races. ... Kurt Busch (third) earned his best finish since winning the Daytona 500 and led more laps (seven) than in the previous 24 races this season. ... Erik Jones has five straight top 10s. ... Austin Dillon (fourth) earned his first top five since winning the Coca-Cola 600.

WHO HAD A BAD NIGHT: Clint Bowyer (40th) fell into a must-win situation at Richmond because of an engine problem. ... Daniel Suarez crashed out for the second time in three races.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT: “It’s pretty simple. You could almost write an article without talking to me.” -- Joey Logano, on being asked if his situation was “pretty clear” after finishing 18th and needing a win at Richmond to make the playoffs.

NEXT: The Cup Series will return to action Sept. 9 with the regular-season finale at Richmond International Raceway on NBCSN.