Denny Hamlin’s Newfound Versatility on Display in NASCAR Win at Talladega

Like a Major League star who has never been able to master hitting the curve ball, ever since he reached the Sprint Cup level Denny Hamlin's Achilles heel has been his performance at restrictor-plate tracks. Prior to 2014, Hamlin's record at Daytona was a pitiful two top-fives in 16 starts at the 2.5-mile oval. Also prior to 2014, Hamlin's record at Talladega was almost as dismal: three top-fives in 16 starts. Add those up and in 32 career starts at 'Dega and Daytona prior to 2014, Hamlin had just five top-fives in total. One of NASCAR's brightest stars could tame short tracks (seven wins across Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond), flat mile-long tracks (three between Loudon and Phoenix), one at one of NASCAR's oldest tracks (the 1.366-mil...

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