‘¢ Denny Hamlin won the Sprint Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, his 16th series victory in his 185th start. It was eighth win in 2010, most of all drivers, and he swept Texas’ two races this season. It was his fifth superspeedway victory in 2010, most of all drivers. Hamlin climbed from second to first in points with a 33-point lead over Jimmie Johnson and 59-point lead over third-place Kevin Harvick. The points leader after race No.8 in the Chase has gone on to win the championship every year (2004 -2009).
‘¢ This was the 88th series win for Joe Gibbs Racing, ranking eighth all-time. It was the team’s 11th win in 2010 (Hamlin with eight, Kyle Busch with three). It was the team’s third win at Texas (Hamlin two, Tony Stewart one).
‘¢ Hamlin’s win was Toyota’s 12th of 2010 and second win at Texas in as many races. The top 10 consisted of four Fords, four Chevrolets and two Toyotas.
‘¢ Matt Kenseth (finished second) tied his best finish in 2010 (Atlanta); Kenseth has scored seven top-10 finishes in his last eight Texas races.
‘¢ Mark Martin (third) has scored top-10 finishes in the last four Texas races.
‘¢ Joey Logano (fourth) scored his fourth straight top-10, finishing seventh at Charlotte, sixth at Martinsville, fifth at Talladega and fourth at Texas.
‘¢ Greg Biffle (fifth) has posted top-10 finishes in his last five Texas races, the longest current streak. Biffle led 224 laps in the race, the most he has led in a series race in his career.
‘¢ Harvick (sixth) has posted top-10 finishes in his last three Texas races.
‘¢ Johnson finished ninth in his 325th career series race.
‘¢ Four drivers have competed in all 20 races at Texas: Jeff Burton (36th) , Jeff Gordon (37th), Bobby Labonte (30th) and Martin.
‘¢ The 33 lead changes in the race is a record at Texas. The previous record was 29 (twice).(ESPN)(11-8-2010)
