Denny Hamlin races under the checkered flag for Goody's Cool Orange win.

Denny Hamlin made sure victory lane had a Virginia flavor to it Sunday afternoon at Martinsville Speedway.

 The 27-year-old driver, who grew up near Richmond, took the lead on lap 427 and raced to a .398-second victory over Jeff Gordon in the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

 It was his first victory in any division on the historic track, even though he’s come close in three different divisions in the past: Sprint Cup, Craftsman Truck and Late Model Stock.

 “This has always been a big race track for us. Back when we ran Late Models, there would be 120 or 130 cars here,” said Hamlin. “This track has always been my Super Bowl. It feels so good to win here. Without a doubt this is the biggest win of my career.”

 Hamlin won a pole in the prestigious Bailey’s 300 Late Model races at Martinsville and almost won the race a couple of times.

 “Something always seemed to happen and we never won a Late Model race here, so to break through like this, it is a big deal.”

It was Hamlin’s first victory and third top-10 finish of 2008 and his fourth victory in 85 NASCAR Sprint Cup starts.

Seven-time Martinsville winner and pole-sitter Jeff Gordon finished second followed by another Virginian, Jeff Burton. Rounding out the top five were Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.
Gordon wound up mired back in traffic after an early-race incident, but methodically worked his way back from 33rd to the front on a cold, damp day.

“Hey, you got to thank all these fans for sticking it out,” said Gordon. “That was unbelievable. I could see what was happening on my windshield, it looked like it was snowing out there. I just appreciate the fans sticking it out and I think they saw a great Martinsville race.”

Completing the top 10 were Dale Earnhardt Jr., Casey Mears, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards and Clint Bowyer. Earnhardt Jr., Mears and Bowyer were in Chevys while McMurray and Edwards were in Fords.

 Earnhardt Jr. was strong all day, leading five times for 146 laps, but his car faded late in the final run and he dropped out of the top five.

 There were 18 caution flags for 89 laps, dropping the average speed to 73.163 miles per hour. There were 20 lead changes among eight drivers.