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Crash Pushes Hamlin to Take Texas

The rain-delayed Samsung Mobile 500 race proved to be just the thing Denny Hamlin needed to clinch his second Sprint race in the 2010 season, after taking advantage of a wreck in the closing stages of the race and holding off reigning champion Jimmie Johnson. This is the third time in the last four run on Monday.

"It was just one of those days where every run we got our car better," Hamlin said according to NASCAR. "Every run the pit crew did a good job of getting us some spots. It all paid off in the long run. We had one of those days where it showed how strong our race team is."

The race was lead, for 124 laps, by Jeff Gordon, and nothing seemed to be able to stop him for taking the race. Nothing except Tony Stewart, with whom Gordon made contact while charging to recover after a four-tire change.

Stewart was then hit by Carl Edwards, who was in turn thrown into Gordon's side. Both cars ended up hitting the wall on the front stretch. The mayhem which followed ended the race for Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Hamlin took advantage of the crash and the two new tires he started with for the final sprint and managed to pass Jeff Burton, the man who was leading the field 12 laps from the end. From then on, it was only a matter of holding off charging Jimmie Johnson.

Hamlin finished the race in front, followed by Jimmie Johnson. Behind them, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne completed the top five.

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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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