In the 2024 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, Denny Hamlin emerged victorious in a thrilling finish. His No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team executed a clutch pit stop, allowing him to take the lead out of the pits. In a two-lap overtime shootout, Hamlin secured his 53rd career NASCAR Cup Series win, his second of the season, and his fifth victory at the 0.75-mile Richmond Oval. He crossed the finish line just 0.269 seconds ahead of Team Penske’s Joey Logano.
Martin Truex Jr expresses frustration to Hamlin after the race
He let his feelings be known. pic.twitter.com/B1AvkbHxHv
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 1, 2024
After losing the lead from his teammate Denny Hamlin, Truex seemed frustrated by his teammate and he made an unexpected move on Larson while they were approaching the finish line. Truex turned his car slightly left and made contact with Larson to which Larson said it could be because of Truex’s frustration because of his teammate’s move.
However, the frustration was evident when Truex banged his teammate Denny Hamlin’s rear bumper three times after the race before entering the pit lane.
Frustrated Martin Truex Jr after jumping off Denny Hamlin on the last lap
"[Denny Hamlin] jumped the start and then just used me up in Turn 1."
Everything unraveled late for Martin Truex Jr. in Richmond.@JamieLittleTV | https://t.co/XUF5a2ZHos pic.twitter.com/FKBXLSmL0I
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 1, 2024
However, the race wasn’t without drama. Hamlin’s teammate, Martin Truex Jr., had led a dominant 228 of the race’s 407 laps but faced frustration in the closing moments. During the final pit stop, Hamlin beat Truex off pit road, preventing him from reclaiming the lead in the last two-lap run. Truex ultimately finished fourth, while Logano secured second place and polesitter Kyle Larson took third.
Truex expressed his disappointment: “We were in a great spot and had a great Auto Owners Camry all night long… Definitely s**ks. Another car capable of winning. We’ll just have to come back next week and try to get one”. Despite this setback, Truex still holds the championship lead by 14 points over Larson, who had a busy ending to the race. Larson and Truex even exchanged some paint in the closing laps as they fought for position.
