Truex is NASCAR’s First Repeat Cup Winner of Season
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr. battled teammate Denny Hamlin for the lead before winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
Truex nudged Hamlin repeatedly in the turns and tried to get to his inside on the straightaways without success. Truex, finally made the pass with 15 laps to go, ducking underneath Hamlin coming out of the second turn. Truex sailed off to victory without another challenge as Hamlin and Chase Elliott battled the rest of the way for second.
It’s the third victory in the last four races on the 0.526-mile oval for Truex, who also became the first repeat winner this season after seven different drivers posted victories.
Elliott was second, followed by Hamlin, William Byron and Kyle Larson.