Hamlin edges teammate Busch

Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C.

Denny Hamlin raced to his third straight Nationwide victory at Darlington Raceway, pulling away from teammate Kyle Busch with five laps left.

Hamlin started from the pole and led much of the race Friday night.

Still, it was a side-by-side drag race with Busch on the last restart. Busch looked as if he had the stuff to prevail, moving about half a car length in front. But Hamlin’s Toyota quickly regained the lead and moved out to about a half-second edge.

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

Hamlin won this event in 2006 and 2007 and, like this time, started from the pole both times. He didn’t compete in the Nationwide races at the track in 2008 and 2009.

For Hamlin, it was his 10th Nationwide win in 121 starts. And it was the first with crew chief Kevin Kidd.

Hamlin got a line on this victory with his qualifying run earlier Friday. He took advantage of the clean air out front to stay there, leading 111 of 147 laps. Plus, his prime position kept him free from another wreck-filled Darlington effort.

“I think we were a little bit better than the 20 [Hamlin] was, but it showed how pivotal clean air is out here,” Busch said.

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