Hamlin snaps cold spell in New Hampshire

The drought is over for Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing.

Hamlin drove past teammate Matt Kenseth with 34 laps to go in the Overton's 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and held off a charging Kyle Larson to score the win. It is Hamlin's first victory since Richmond last September and his third at New Hampshire.

"I was just trying to do everything I could to pace, I knew he had a very fast car," Hamlin said of Larson. "Just seemed like we were able to get off the corner really good and I just kind of ran a pace there which I felt comfortable with and just in case we had a restart I didn't want to burn the tires off (it)."

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The No. 11 FedEx team overcame having to go to a backup car after Hamlin crashed early in the first practice session. Hamlin led 54 of 301 laps.

"Just proud of this FedEx team," Hamlin said. "A backup car put us behind the eight-ball on Friday, but it's cool to win one like this."

Hamlin's victory is the first win for Joe Gibbs Racing since last November. Sunday, the organization had three of its four cars in the top 10, with Kyle Busch finishing 12th after two speeding penalties.

"It's definitely been tough, but it's not for a lack of trying," Hamlin said of Gibbs going winless deep into the season. "We've been getting better every week and as far as I'm concerned, we should race here 10 times a year."

Larson finished second with Martin Truex Jr. third and Kenseth, who had two tires, faded to a fourth-place finish. Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five. Daniel Suarez, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Jimmie Johnson completed the top 10.

With the 30th victory of his career, Hamlin is now officially locked into the playoffs.

"It's a great feeling," Hamlin said. "I know we've been getting better and better as the year goes on, but definitely needed a win for the organization, for myself, and just kind of get some momentum going with the playoffs coming up. We've got to get going."

Up next: Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 23.