BROOKLYN, Mich., June 19 (UPI) -- Denny Hamlin won his first Sprint Cup race of the year Sunday, using a quick late pit stop to post a victory at Michigan International Speedway.
Hamlin, who won a series-high eight Sprint Cup races last year, replaced only two tires during the race's fifth and final caution with 10 laps remaining and grabbed his first lead by being the quickest out of the pits.
He pulled ahead for good after the last restart with five laps left and held off a challenge by Matt Kenseth on the final lap, crossing the finish line just 0.3 seconds ahead him.
Kenseth was slowed down after making slight contact with the wall coming out of the final turn.
Kyle Busch wound up finishing third after leading during the late stages of the 400-mile race.
Paul Menard came in fourth, followed by Carl Edwards.
Edwards came out of Sunday's event holding a 20-point lead over 14th-place finisher Kevin Harvick.
