As Jimmie Johnson finally collected his “six-pack,” Denny Hamlin earned redemption with the win at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Johnson’s ninth-place finish in the Ford EcoBoost 400 provided the No. 48 Lowe’s team with a 19-point advantage over second-place Matt Kenseth to lock down his sixth Sprint Cup championship — one title short of the record held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.
With the champion and winner executing dual burnouts, Hamlin radioed to his team, “Let everybody know, I think we’re staying in Miami.”
Considering that Hamlin was sidelined for four races with fractured vertebrae stemming from a crash at Auto Club Speedway on March 24, it’s understandable the driver wants to let loose. Although he continued his consecutive win streak of eight seasons, his Chase run ended. Hamlin exhibited speed throughout his comeback. He posted a career-high five poles.
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