POCONO – Denny Hamlin saved enough fuel and survived a green-white-checkered to win the Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway. Sunday’s victory is the third of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season for the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team. Hamlin now has five victories at the Tricky Triangle, with his last win coming in 2010.
Hamlin raced past Erik Jones to take the lead on Lap 144, while many drivers began saving fuel to make it to the finish. Fuel mileage was a concern amongst all drivers running towards the front. “I was really worried,” said Hamlin after earning the victory. “Thanks Pocono for putting in this PJ1, I was able to use it there and get around those guys.”
A caution on Lap 154 brought the field together to a slow with six laps remaining. The leaders stayed out under caution to maintain track position, and Hamlin surged to the lead on the two following restarts to earn the checkered flag.
The driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry earned his 34th career MENCS victory, and maintains his 4th position in the points standing after 21 races.
Joe Gibbs Racing Strong in Gander RV 400 at Pocono Raceway
Joe Gibbs Racing swept the top 3 positions in Pocono, with Jones finishing 2nd and Martin Truex Jr. in 3rd. Kyle Busch finished 9th to get all four JGR cars a Top 10 at the 2.5 mile racetrack in Long Pond, PA.
“We really fought for it last week and came up short, but it feels good to redeem ourselves this week and have such a strong car,” Hamlin reflected in victory lane.
Erik Jones led 10 laps and held the lead late in the Gander RV 400, but came up one position short after being passed in the closing laps. “It’s always a challenge, probably my least favorite part of racing,” said Jones in regards to the fuel mileage strategy at the end. “We just have to break through and get that first win.”
View the complete Gander RV 400 results here.
