Denny Hamlin picks up 1st Bristol victory
Credit: Jason Smith/Pool/Getty Images for NASCAR
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- Denny Hamlin won for the first time at Bristol Motor Speedway with a calculated late pass.
Hamlin flirted with Carl Edwards for the lead late in the race, and set up his move with 39 laps remaining Saturday night. Hamlin used a slide move to get past Edwards, then held on as Edwards tried to use a cross-over move to get back in front.
It didn't work for Edwards, and Hamlin drove away for his third victory of the season.
Jimmie Johnson finished second and clinched a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Greg Biffle and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also locked down spots in the 12-driver field.
Jeff Gordon was third, followed by Brian Vickers and Marcos Ambrose.
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