It was a redeeming end to a tough month for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Having lost the former Super Bowl champion coach's son J.D. Gibbs to a neurological disorder just over a month prior to the season opening race, JGR managed a nearly unprecedented sweep the podium at the Daytona 500, led by prior champion Denny Hamlin. With three major crashes in the final 20 laps, Hamlin skillfully stayed out front and let the chasers knock each other out, while holding off JGR teammates Kyle Busch and Erik Jones along with defending Cup Series Champion Joey Logano over the final Green-White-Checkered overtime finish. Masterful use of pit stops along with execution throughout the afternoon, Hamlin's car was clean and fast. But it was the 21-car-pileup with 10 laps to go that broke the field wide open and left a handful of other decorated veterans like Busch, Kevin Harvick and Logano as major threats to Hamlin's victory. But Hamlin held them off and took home the trophy for his team. And most importantly, JGR and J.D. Gibbs. Hamlin is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week.
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