August 2, 2020 | By Lee Spencer

Keselowski victorious following epic battle with Hamlin at the Magic Mile

Brad Keselowski was beyond “pumped” after taking the checkered flag at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday.

In what could be a preview for the season finale at Phoenix International Raceway in November, Keselowski and Denny Hamlin enjoyed an epic battle that resulted in 13 of the 22 lead changes between the veteran racers.

But Keselowski ultimately had the dominant car in the Foxwoods Casino 301. He extended his lead by 1.647-seconds over Hamlin at the finish.

“This is the same tire and similar track to Phoenix and we know that’s what you’ve got to do to win this championship,” said Keselowski, who led 184 laps “You have to go win Phoenix and we put on a great showing today. 

“I’m pumped, I really am. The playoffs are a long ways away and they’re gonna be tough, but this is certainly a good sign.”

Martin Truex Jr., finished third followed by Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Matt DiBenedetto, polesitter Aric Almirola, Cole Custer, Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick.

Keselowski took the lead from Almirola on Lap 3. Kyle Busch’s  wacky season continued at the Magic Mile. After running in the top five and completing just 15 laps, the defending Cup champion cut a right front tire and slammed into the Turn 3 wall to ignite the first caution. He finished 38th.

“Just going down the backstretch there and about halfway down the backstretch I felt it go flat and tried to get slowed down enough without taking everybody else running over me behind me down the straightaway,” said Busch, who dropped to 10th in the standings, 240 points behind leader Harvick.

“I don’t know, I think there’s a replay of another Pedigree car here a few years ago that blew a right-front tire for absolutely no reason too. Seems to be our luck with the Pedigree car here at New Hampshire. Sorry to all of our fans and all the Pedigree folks. It’s still 2020.”

Keselowski maintained the lead through the competition caution on Lap 31 and for the next 25 circuits before Hamlin got him lose and passed the No. 2 Penske Ford. A dogfight ensued between the drivers until Clint Bowyer and Jimmie Johnson collided on Lap 63 to trigger Caution 4.

After pit stops, Hamlin regained the lead on Lap 70 and held the point to the end of Stage 1 five laps later. Martin Truex Jr., Harvick, Christopher Bell, Keselowski, Blaney, Bowyer, Logano, Ryan Preece and Almirola gained stage points.

Hamlin held serve through the caution and as rain prompted the fifth caution on Lap 94. Crew chief Chris Gabehart called Hamlin to pit while Harvick stayed out and inherited the lead. An uncontrolled tire for the No. 19 team on pit road dumped Truex from third to 36. The race returned to green on Lap 100 and Hamlin secured the lead again four laps later.

Twenty-seven laps into the run, Logano, who had been running second, reported brake issues. He adopted a more conservative approach, allowed Keselowski to pass him and cooled his brakes until they came back to life.

Keselowski passed Hamlin for the lead on Lap 142 and again, the drivers battled until the No. 2 secured the spot four laps later.

Bell slowed Keselowski’s advantage when he spun in Turn 2 on Lap 170 while running sixth. A two-tire pit stop for Austin Dillon temporarily gave the No. 3 Chevrolet the lead during the sixth caution. But when the race returned to green on Lap 177, Keselowski regained control.

Two laps later, Matt Kenseth spun while attempting to pass Kurt Busch in Turn 2—his first of three wrecks before finally parking the No. 42 Chevrolet on Lap 205. The 2003 champion finished 37th.

Keselowski held on for the Stage 2 win on Lap 185 followed by Hamlin, Logano, Almirola, Byron, Bowyer, Austin Dillon Truex, Elliott and DiBenedetto.

Once again, Keselowski and Hamlin exchanged the point with the No. 11 Toyota gaining the advantage on Lap 192. Hamlin held serve through Kenseth’s caution on Lap 196 but a battle ensued again with Keselowski. The No. 2 Ford was in control when Kenseth spun on Lap 204.

Chase Elliott, who was on a different pit cycle, remained on the track when the Nos. 2 and 11 pit and took the lead on Lap 206 followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Blaney, Bell, Harvick, Logano, Hamlin, Ty Dillon, Byron and Keselowski.

Seven laps later, John Hunter Nemechek brought out the 11th and final caution after he blew a right front tire and plowed into Turn 3. After the front four cars pitted, Hamlin restarted on Lap 218 with the lead followed by Logano, Keselowski, DiBenedetto and Truex.

Hamlin’s row with Keselowski prompted the driver to come over the radio and exclaim, “This is awesome racing.” Certainly, having fans return to stands energized the atmosphere for the competitors.

“We just kind of were second there to the 2 (Keselowski),” said Hamlin following his eighth podium finish of the year. “We could really do well on restarts and we were going back-and-forth.” Wow, that was some really, really good short track racing there. Hopefully the fans liked what they saw there with me and the 2 for most of the day. Some great side-by-side racing. We treated each other fair and it’s good that we got one-two out of it.”

On Lap 221, Keselowski powered to the lead and held the point over the final 81 laps for his second win at Loudon and the 33rd of his career.

“We’ve had a lot of great races this year with the 2 car, but we just haven’t really went out and kind of dominated a race,” said Keselowski after his third victory of the season. “Talking to Jeremy Bullins and like, ‘Man, what do we need to get to that next level?  We’re right there. We need to go out and just dominate a race,’ and that’s what today was for us with the Western Star/Alliance Parts Ford Mustang. 

“I’m really proud of my team and the effort that they gave today. A great race car and to all of Team Penske, thank you. It’s so great to be racing back in front of fans again. It feels like forever, so welcome back, guys.”