Hamlin claims second NASCAR win at Watkins Glen

Denny Hamlin clinched his second NASCAR Sprint Cup win of the season on Sunday, in the second and final road-course race at Watkins Glen.

Having already claimed his spot in the Chase, NASCAR's version on the playoffs last week at Pocono, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver followed up with a well-timed victory.

Hamlin led only 10 laps in the Cheez-It 355, but it came at the opportune time as he passed Brad Keselowski on Lap 81 and pulled away from the field, following a seven-car crash that brought out the red flag with seven to go.

It is the first career road-course victory for Hamlin, who showed his versatility after winning at Daytona in the first race of the season.

Keselowski spun Martin Truex Jr. with four laps remaining, but it was Joey Logano who took advantage to finish second behind Hamlin. Logano has finished seventh or better in five of his last six starts at Watkins Glen.

Keselowski finished in third, followed by AJ Allmendinger and Tony Stewart.

Pole-sitter Carl Edwards led the first 25 laps but fell off the pace, running into multiple issues Sunday including a pit road penalty, trouble fuelling his car on pit road and a wreck on Lap 56 that took out six-time champion Jimmie Johnson.

With Kevin Harvick finishing 32nd after a late-race wreck, Keselowski takes top spot in the NASCAR points standings, as the circuit heads to Bristol Motor Speedway with just four races before the Chase.