Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin tops the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings after the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He secured victory after leading the race for nine laps, elevating him to the Championship 4.

Hamlin did not expect to go home with this 60th win before the race, but the right calls made by his team at the right time placed him in a position to win. The 44-year-old driver even faced gearbox problems early in the race, but it all came together in the final stage when he overtook Kyle Larson and his JGR teammate Chase Briscoe to make it first to the checkered flag.

Larson is placed second in the standings after securing the runner-up spot in the race, followed by Christopher Bell in third, and Briscoe in fourth. Hamlin holds a significant advantage to win his maiden title going into Talladega and Martinsville. He is now tenth on the list of the top ten NASCAR drivers who have won the most Cup Series races. Speaking after an emotional victory, Hamlin said:

“This win means a lot, this is the point where I kind of give the fans some [expletive], but not today, I appreciate you all so much.

“Obviously, just want to say ‘hi’ to my dad and family back at home. We were hoping to get 60 [wins] today, but I didn’t think we were. Just put the pedal down those last 10 laps and made it happen.”

Hamlin credited his crew chief, Chris Gayle, for turning the situation around on the final stop. He added:

“Chris did an amazing job on that final stop, getting the car just right, and I just held it down. That’s all I could do, just go for it. I felt like I had nothing to lose, just go for it and try to punch a ticket now, and it feels great.

“If you had asked me yesterday, I would have said no [about his chance of winning the race]. Just super proud of the team for making all the adjustments they did and the pit crew for doing a great job all day.”

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NASCAR Cup Series standings after playoff race at Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayDenny HamlinKyle LarsonChristopher BellChase Briscoe
—————— Cut Line ——————-William ByronChase ElliottJoey LoganoRyan Blaney