MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — The desperation of NASCAR’s playoffs erupted when non-contender Alex Bowman spun Denny Hamlin to set up an overtime victory in a wild finish for the final spot in the championship finale.
Hamlin led 103 laps at Martinsville Speedway and was out front with six to go when Bowman wiggled and bumped Hamlin out of his way. Bowman later held off Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski to win.
The victory by Bowman prevented one of the other playoff drivers from winning the race and locking up a slot in the winner-take-all championship at sold-out Phoenix Raceway next Sunday. A victory by Busch or Keselowski would have pushed either into the finale.
Kyle Larson, reigning champion Chase Elliott, Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. will race for the title.
