Hamlin to sit out Nationwide race with sore back

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (AP) - NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has a sore back that will keep him out of Friday’s Nationwide race.

Hamlin still plans to drive Saturday night in the Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway. Hamlin currently ranks fifth in Cup points.

Hamlin had been slated to drive the No. 18 Toyota in the second-tier series. Instead, Joe Gibbs Racing will move defending race champion Joey Logano from the No. 20 to the No. 18, and have Clint Bowyer behind the wheel in the 18.

Hamlin says he woke up with a sore back “earlier this week” and feels it’s “in the best interest of the team to sit it out.” He adds that the injury is “nothing serious” and believes the extra rest will help Saturday.