Chase Elliott Wins Martinsville Cup Race Over Hamlin

Chase Elliott claimed victory in the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, outdueling polesitter Denny Hamlin in a race defined by strategic pit decisions and late-race execution. The Hendrick Motorsports driver led the final 69 laps to secure his first win of the 2026 season, finishing 0.565 seconds ahead of Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. The triumph marked the first checkered flag for Hendrick this year and extended the organization's record to 31 victories at the 0.526-mile Virginia short track.

Hamlin dominated early, starting from the pole after a qualifying lap of 98.241 mph and leading a race-high 292 laps, including sweeps of the first two stages. He controlled the action through the first 317 laps, building a commanding position with an average running spot of 1.12 and spending nearly the entire race inside the top five. However, a caution on lap 312 altered the script. Elliott, running second at the time, had pitted earlier under crew chief Alan Gustafson's call for a two-stop strategy in the final stage. When the yellow flag waved, Elliott cycled to the lead after pitting with most lead-lap cars, while Ross Chastain briefly inherited...