The first race in the NASCAR Chase was held at Chicagoland Speedway and Denny Hamlin took the win in the MyAfibRisk.com 400.

While the first race in NASCAR’s playoffs wasn’t full of incidents (there were only 6 caution periods covering 28 laps), there was an incident on lap two which sent Denny Hamlin spinning on the track. He did not hit anything, but he did go a lap down after pitting to make sure there was no damage to his #11 Toyota.

From that point forward there was a lot of green flag racing. It was Kyle Busch who appeared to be the car to beat as he led a race high 121 laps in the 267 lap race. Kyle was one of 10 drivers to exchange the lead 17 times before the end of the race.

The most important lead change came when the race’s final caution was issued. While the majority of lead cars pitted, Denny and his team decided to stay out. This would turn out to be the winning strategy as Denny was able to shoot out to the lead on the re-start with just five laps remaining.

Denny held the lead for the final laps to capture the win and gain an automatic advance to the next round on the Chase Grid. The win also continues the Joe Gibbs Racing recent domination as the four-car team has now racked up nine wins in the last eleven races.

Denny’s JGR teammate Carl Edwards grabbed the second place finish. Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman finished in third and fourth place respectively. JGR driver Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five at Chicagoland Speedway. See the complete race results in the MyAfibRisk.com 400 here.

The win moves Denny to the next round in the Chase. However, it is Matt Kenseth that moved to the number one spot in the point standings. Denny sits in the second place in the points with Carl Edwards in third place, Kyle Busch in fourth place and Kurt Busch in fifth place. See the complete NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings here.

Remember that after the next two races the four lowest drivers on the Chase Grid without a win are eliminated from championship contention. See how the Chase Grid looks after the race at Chicagoland Speedway here.

The NASCAR Chase Grid drivers will attempt to advance next at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sunday, September 27th in the Sylvania 300.

By: Buck Stevens