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Timothy Peters wins Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown after last-lap fireworks

Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown

SOUTH BOSTON, VA - APRIL 23: Timothy Peters, driver of the #17 AutosByNelson.com Toyota, turns a lap during his win in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at South Boston Speedway on April 23, 2015 in South Boston, Virginia. (Photo by Grant Halverson/NASCAR via Getty Images)

NASCAR via Getty Images

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. - Josh Berry ran into leader Lee Pulliam on the last corner of the last lap, allowing Timothy Peters to win the 8th annual Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown on Thursday night at South Boston Speedway.

The race will air on NBCSN in May. A date is to be announced.

NASCAR penalized Berry for aggressive driving and dropped the JR Motorsports driver to 17th, the tail end of the cars running at the end.

“Lee and Timothy were racing hard side-by-side hard, beating and banging, and they washed up and I tried to get underneath them and got into them,’’ Berry told NBC Sports.

“I’m just disappointed with it. I don’t really know what to say. It might have been too aggressive. You’re racing for the win. I’ve seen (Pulliam) do the same thing to people.’’

Pulliam, who hit Barry’s car in Turn 2 after the checkered flag, declined to talk to the media but tweeted his displeasure calling Berry the “Biggest joke in racing.’’ Pulliam finished 10th.

Peters, meanwhile, celebrated his first victory in the charity Late Model event. Peters started from the pole and led the first 109 laps. He never dropped out of the top five in the 210-lap race, which ended on the second attempt at a green-white-checkered.

“This is kind of a bucket list deal, I can check the box on that,’’ Peters said.

About the last lap, Peters said: “I know if you’re racing for bragging rights and $10,000, if I’m on the inside coming to the checkered flag, I’m going to use you up and that’s what happened. Unfortunately it backfired for him and we were on the receiving end of it.’’

Denny Hamlin had engine issues and finished 31st in the 36-car field, completing 69 laps. Chase Elliott placed 22nd after engine issues. David Ragan was collected in a late crash and placed 16th. Jeb Burton had engine issues and finished 28th.

Proceeds from the event benefit The Denny Hamlin Foundation, which is committed to raising awareness and funds for the needs of children with cystic fibrosis.

Race Results:

1 - Timothy Peters … 210 laps

2 - William Byron … 210 laps

3 - Mark Wertz … 210 laps

4 - Tommy Lemmons Jr. … 210 laps

5 - Tyler Ankrum … 210 laps

6 - Austin Thaxton … 210 laps

7 - Dalton Sargeant … 210 laps

8 - Kaz Grala … 210 laps

9 - Brendon Queen … 210 laps

10 - Lee Pulliam … 210 laps

11 - Quin Houff … 210 laps

12 - Matt Bowling … 210 laps

13 - Hermie Sadler … 210 laps

14 - Curtis Markham … 210 laps

15 - Payton Ryan … 208 laps

16 - David Ragan … 207 laps

17 - Josh Berry … 210 laps *

18 - Nick Smith … 202 laps

19 - C.E. Falk … 201 laps

20 - Peyton Sellers … 193 laps

21 - Bobby McMarty … 192 laps

22 - Chase Elliott … 192 laps

23 - Eddie Johnson … 124 laps

24 - Bruce Anderson … 124 laps

25 - Dude Gibbs … 124 laps

26 - Kyle Plott … 120 laps

27 - Juan Garcia … 119 laps

28 - Jeb Burton … 117 laps

29 - Myatt Snider … 99 laps

30 - Matt Waltz … 81 laps

31 - Denny Hamlin … 69 laps

32 - Davin Scites … 63 laps

33 - Chad Finchum … 43 laps

34 - Garrett Campbell … 9 laps

35 - Travis Swaim .. 3 laps

36 - Brayton Haws … 3 laps

* Penalized for aggressive driving on the last lap and moved to the last car on the track at the finish.

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