'Killer' first stage keeps Denny Hamlin from gaining on Kyle Larson at Martinsville

Any chance Denny Hamlin had of taking a chunk out of Kyle Larson's NASCAR Cup Series points lead at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday went by the wayside in the first 130 laps of the Xfinity 500.

After winning the pole and leading 40 laps early, Hamlin was part of the contingent who opted not to pit in the opening 130-lap stage, even with a Goodyear tire that wore significantly over long runs. Larson, trying to shadow Hamlin, opted for the same call.

But the strategy backfired as more and more cars came down pit road and the handling on Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota faded. Hamlin was eventually passed for the lead by Ryan Preece, who was passed by stage winner William Byron.

Not only was Hamlin at a tire disadvantage, but he didn't have the speed necessary to try and defend his track position. He and Larson both fell out of the top 10 and did not score points in Stage 1.

Stage 2 saw Hamlin collect in a spin with fellow championship contender Christopher Bell after Logano got into Bell. Hamlin recovered to finish sixth but gained only three points on Larson, who finished ninth and needs only nine points at Homestead to clinch the title.

Strategy put Denny Hamlin behind the eight ball

"Really came down to Stage 1, [the] no-stop strategy," Hamlin told NBC. "Lost all of our track position there. When we got to the back, you got all those [incidents] and the cautions. Obviously, the 22 got the 20 and the 20 got into us. That's racing, I guess. You'll have that.

"We just lost our track position. Once we lost our track position, it's hard to drive back to the front. Nobody else did."

The path for Hamlin to win his first championship next week requires not only a win and at least 16 stage points, but also a catastrophic day from Larson.

"Obviously didn't capitalize today on Larson not getting any stage points," Hamlin said. "The first stage was the killer for us that set us back. For us, this weekend was about everything to gain, nothing to lose. We just didn't gain enough to make it realistic.

"I feel confident I'll be able to go [to Homestead] and contend. I'd love to get another win before the end of the year. I thought it was gonna come today. We'll get one more shot at it next week... one more win."