LAS VEGAS (AP) — The first thing Denny Hamlin said when he climbed from his car after advancing into the third round of NASCAR’s playoffs was he wish he’d known not to pass Ross Chastain on the final lap.

In racing Chastain for that position, it knocked Chastain out of the playoffs and gave the final spot in the round of eight to Joey Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion and winner of two of the last three titles.

In fact, Logano and Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney have combined to win the last three consecutive championships, so Hamlin was fiercely criticized for not taking Logano out of contention.

The third round begins Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with eight drivers remaining and all representing the top teams in NASCAR: Hamlin leads Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Christopher

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