Hamlin again has COT to beat, with nothing to show

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Denny Hamlin is tired of having what he considers to be the best car in the field, only to see somebody else take home the trophy.

It happened again Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway, when Jeff Gordon capitalized on a late caution to gain track position and win the Subway Fresh Fit 500 -- in a race dominated by Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Hamlin and Tony Stewart.

Lap-by-Lap

Tony Stewart made a gutsy move to take the lead, but Jeff Gordon wouldn't be denied in becoming the first driver to win from the pole at Phoenix.

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Stewart wound up second and left the track without comment, while Hamlin, at one time the last car on the lead lap following a pit-road speeding violation, spoke of his frustration despite finishing third.

"It's frustrating to have the best car three Car of Tomorrow races in a row and not have a win to show for it," Hamlin said. "It's frustrating for the whole team and myself. It seems like we can't get a break, one way or another. Nothing seems to go our way and it's really disheartening to have such a good car and just can't do anything with it."

At Bristol, Hamlin led 177 laps before being slowed by engine problems. At Martinsville, Hamlin led 125 laps but loose lug nuts, coupled with some overheating issues, forced him to rally for a third-place finish.

On Saturday night, Hamlin took the lead from pole-sitter and eventual winner Gordon on Lap 29 and proceeded to lead the next 70 laps until a yellow for caution on Lap 99. At that point, he and the rest of the leaders headed for pit road. He came out first, but NASCAR officials claimed Hamlin exceeded the pit-road speed on his way in. So instead of leading, he was mired back in 31st.

"By the rules, it's black and white," Hamlin said. "I've been caught speeding on pit road one time and that was at Bristol in that bend corner where everyone gets caught. That was my only speeding penalty in my entire career.

"We checked it after the very first run and we were 2.2 miles an hour to the good, came back in the second run with the same exact rpm, no exaggeration, no lie, and I was speeding. I don't know. I was tonight's entertainment, I guess."

Once again, Hamlin was forced to thread his way back to the front. He was 20th by Lap 120, cracked the top 10 again by Lap 223 and restarted fifth following the final caution. He passed Jimmie Johnson on Lap 295 for fourth, then stormed past a fading Matt Kenseth for third eight laps later. (Continued)