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Bowman, crew chief Ives find victory lane at Richmond

Alex Bowman (48) stands on his car as he celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., Sunday, April 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Another week, another agonizing loss for Denny Hamlin.

And this time it was to Alex Bowman, who came from nowhere with 10 laps to go at Richmond Raceway to put the No. 48 Chevrolet in victory lane for the first time in nearly four years.

Bowman won for the third time in his career Sunday and denied Hamlin a win in a race he had dominated to become the eighth winner in nine Cup races this season. He dedicated the victory to crew member William “Rowdy” Harrell and his wife, Blakley Harrell, who were killed in a November car crash in Florida while on their honeymoon.

“This one is for Rowdy and his family. Miss him and Blakley every day,” Bowman said.

Bowman’s victory in the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports came on the same day the former driver of the car, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, made his debut in the IndyCar Series in Alabama. It was the first victory for the No. 48 since June 4, 2017.

Bowman’s crew chief is Bark River native Greg Ives.

Johnson was the only driver of the No. 48 when it was formed in 2001 and Bowman was hand-picked by sponsor Ally to replace him.

Bowman overcame a penalty on lap 247 for a loose tire on pit road to rally for the win.

Hamlin won the first two stages and notched his eighth top-five finish in nine starts this season.

Last week, he led 276 laps at Martinsville Speedway, but lost the lead to Truex with 15 laps to go.

Hamlin did hang on Sunday to finish second, followed by Logano, Christopher Bell and Truex, who led 107 laps and overcame a penalty for speeding on pit road. Kyle Busch finished eighth, the second week in a row that all four JGR drivers finished in the top 10.

UP NEXT

After three straight races on short tracks, the series heads to the largest track in NASCAR — 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama.

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