MARTINSVILLE, Va. — In a triumphant return to form at a circuit he knows well, Denny Hamlin claimed victory at Martinsville Speedway, breaking a decade-long dry spell and securing his place in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Hamlin, who hails from Chesterfield near Richmond, celebrated his sixth win on the Martinsville track, ending his winless streak that stretched back to 2015.
Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin’s success on the 0.526-mile oval came under the guidance of a new crew chief, Chris Gayle. This switch in leadership seemed to give the No. 11 team an edge as they refined their car setup, reminiscent of Hamlin’s past successes. Hamlin dominated the day, leading 274 laps after overtaking Chase Elliott early in the race.
This victory marked Hamlin’s 55th career win, equaling NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace on the all-time list. It also ended a trying 31-race stretch without a win, dating back to a race at Dover last April. After the race, Hamlin praised his team for the strategic changes that led to this outcome, expressing particular satisfaction in working alongside Gayle.
The crew chief role, previously held by Chris Gabehart, transitioned to Gayle after Gabehart moved into an executive position with Joe Gibbs Racing. Gayle’s sudden appointment surprised Hamlin, but the seasoned driver quickly adapted, appreciating the consistency offered by retaining existing team members.
Christopher Bell, another talented driver in the Cup Series, finished second, continuing a strong season with three wins to his name. Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace rounded out a successful day for Toyota, securing a third-place finish as the top three positions were swept by the brand.
Throughout the race’s final 125 laps, Hamlin contended with multiple restarts, including challenges from Bell, showcasing the short-track’s typical high-stakes competition. Among the various scrapes, an incident involving Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick stood out, with the latter partaking in a civil exchange post-race.
Joey Logano found himself swept up in another collision, voicing frustration with Ross Chastain’s aggressive racing style. This crash contributed to the race’s tenth and final caution period.
For Wallace, the race was a bittersweet achievement, as he struggled with the speed of his restarts but nonetheless climbed to eighth in the overall Cup points standings. Driving the No. 23 Toyota, co-owned by Hamlin and the iconic Michael Jordan, Wallace still celebrated a remarkable day for the team and Toyota brand.
Post-race updates included the disqualification of Erik Jones due to his car failing to meet weight requirements, altering his finishing position dramatically.
A pre-race celebration of Wood Brothers Racing’s 75th anniversary turned regretful for Josh Berry after an incident forced him into repairs. Despite the setback, Berry, grounded by a prior Las Vegas victory, carries playoff assurance and managed notable laps for the team at Martinsville.
Looking ahead, the Cup Series will travel to South Carolina for its next event at Darlington Raceway, a storied track set to host its annual throwback weekend. This event encourages teams to don vintage-inspired paint jobs and uniforms as they race on the historic 1.366-mile track, beloved since 1950. Last year’s highlights include victories by Brad Keselowski at this event and Chase Briscoe in the Southern 500.