Denny Hamlin celebrates winning the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway, his second victory of the season. (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Richmond (Va.) International Raceway

By the way, he won: Denny Hamlin, who has come close repeatedly, finally won at Richmond, though his victory was somewhat overshadowed by the struggle of those behind him to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

And the Chase? A four-time race winner, Kyle Busch, didn’t make it. Brian Vickers made it for the first time. Matt Kenseth didn’t make it for the first time.

Surprises: Sam Hornish Jr. finished eighth after finishing sixth in the former Richmond race.

Disappointments: Roush Fenway staggered into the Chase with Greg Biffle finishing 13th and Carl Edwards 16th. The only Ford driver to win this year, Kenseth, finished 25th.

Notable numbers

6 – Denny Hamlin’s career victories.

8 – Difference between Vickers making and Kyle Busch missing the Chase.

19.5 – Tony Stewart’s average finish in the past four races.

247 – Difference between Stewart point lead (+237) before the race and, thanks to the Chase format, his deficit (-10) after it.

Quotable quotes

“It’s not the points we didn’t get in this race. It’s the conglomerate of points we sacrificed all year.” – Kyle Busch.

“Nobody gave up. It was a two-and-a-half-year program from scratch, and there was a lot of pressure from peers, fans, media, and we’re finally here.” – Brian Vickers.

“Everyone on this team did an amazing job. To be honest, big deal. We’re in. The car went away late, but we just did what it took to make it.” – Juan Montoya.

“This is my house. It has been for the last two years. We just didn’t get the win to show it.” – Denny Hamlin.

“We don’t have the finishes to show for it, but we’ve got the speed, and it’s a matter of getting to work and see what we’ve got.” – Jimmie Johnson.
 

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