Denny Hamlin won his first NASCAR race of the season when he held off Jeff Gordon at Loudon, New Hampshire, on Sunday.

Hamlin gambled by taking on two tyres instead of four during a late pit stop to get the jump on Martin Truex Jr., Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Hamlin then held off points leader Gordon for his first victory in 33 races.

"I was trying not to make a mistake on those final laps," Hamlin told reporters.

"We finally got a win."

Gordon finished second, followed by Truex and Earnhardt. The first eight finishers drove Chevrolets.

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