RICHMOND, Va. -- Clint Bowyer raced to his first victory of the season Saturday night, sneaking into the lead after a wild chain of events denied Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch the win at Richmond International Raceway.

Hamlin led 381 of the 400 laps, but lost the lead when a leaking right tire allowed Earnhardt and Busch to scoot past him with 18 laps to go. Caution came out with eight to go when Hamlin's tire finally failed, setting up what looked to be a showdown between Earnhardt and Busch over the final laps.

But Busch spun Earnhardt with three to go as the two raced for the lead, and Bowyer slid past both to drive away to the win.