‘New’ Kyle outrun by old Hamlin

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Denny Hamlin doesn't care which Kyle Busch he beat at Darlington Raceway on Friday.

Hamlin pulled away from Busch over the final five laps to win the Royal Purple 200, his third straight Nationwide series victory at the track.

Earlier, Hamlin playfully shot down his teammate's contention from last week that he was the "new and improved Kyle Busch" who persevered to win at Richmond.

Busch almost did it again this time, sliding to about a half-car length ahead of Hamlin on the final restart before falling back in line behind his friend.

"I talked to him over the radio," Hamlin said. "I said, 'Is this the new Kyle or the old Kyle?' "

Beating any Kyle Busch is a challenge in itself.

"He is so good on restarts, it's hard to hold him off," Hamlin said. "I knew that I could just hold him off for one lap, we could clear him."

Hamlin and first-year crew chief Kevin Kidd did just that. It was Hamlin's third victory in his last three Nationwide starts at Darlington after taking the checkered flag in 2006 and 2007. Hamlin wrecked in qualifying to miss the 2008 event, then sat out last season.

"I could have been working on a four-peat," Hamlin joked.

Like those two earlier Darlington wins, Hamlin started from the pole and led much of the race.

Still, it was a side-by-side drag race with Busch on the final restart. Busch looked as if he had enough speed to prevail but was outgunned by Hamlin's Toyota.

"I think we were a little bit better than the 20 (Hamlin) was, but it showed how pivotal clean air is out here," said Busch, who held on for second.

As for which Busch is which, he said, "I've gotten a lot of play off that from last week, so that's all that matters."

Jamie McMurray, the pole winner earlier Friday for the Sprint Cup Southern 500, finished third.

For Hamlin, it was his 10th Nationwide win in 121 starts.

He got a line on this victory with his qualifying run earlier Friday. He took advantage of the pristine air out front to stay there, leading 111 of 147 laps.

"It's an overwhelming feeling to win at a place like this," Kidd said.

Plus, Hamlin's prime position kept him free from another wreck-filled Darlington race.

Matt Kenseth, last year's winner here, wrecked twice and took perhaps the hardest hit when the slammed the inside wall. However, he waved to the crowd as he jumped into the ambulance for the routine check at the infield care center.

There were nine caution periods -- one short of Darlington's Nationwide record, last accomplished a year ago.

Kasey Kahne was fourth followed by Jason Leffler, Carl Edwards and series points leader Brad Keselowski.

Kevin Harvick, Brian Vickers and Paul Menard rounded out the top 10.