ADD HAMLIN STRIPPED OF WIN - Denny Hamlin holds up his trophy in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C. Hamlin was stripped of his win after he failed post-race inspection. Cole Custer was declared the winner. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
The Associated Press
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) - No one's been as hot as Denny Hamlin in NASCAR. He believes he can keep that going Sunday night in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Hamlin has won four races this season, including two of the past five events. He captured the last Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol two weeks ago and will start ninth here.
Hamlin looked like he had gone from last to first to capture the Xfinity race at Darlington on Saturday until NASCAR disqualified him because his car did not meet ride-height guidelines.
Defending Southern 500 champion Brad Keselowski starts second next to pole sitter William Byron.
Points leader Kyle Busch will start from the back of the field after changing an engine.
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Kyle Busch signs an autograph before practice for a NASCAR auto race on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in Darlington, S.C.. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2018, file photo, Brad Keselowski celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, in Darlington, S.C. Keselowski can't wait to get to Darlington Raceway _ and it's not just because he swept race weekend the last time NASCAR's best showed up. This the fifth year the Southern 500 is NASCAR's throwback weekend, kind of an Old Timer's Day for fans and competitors to honor and mimic the greats of the past.(AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
The Associated Press