Chase Elliott beats Denny Hamlin at Martinsville for 1st NASCAR win of season

Elliott capitalizes on shrewd pit strategy to take victory at historic short track

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:33am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking down the NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of color, capturing the raw energy and competitive spirit of the event.A cubist interpretation of the intense battle between Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin at Martinsville Speedway, where Elliott's strategic pit call helped him secure his first NASCAR win of the 2026 season.Dawsonville Today

Chase Elliott won his first NASCAR Cup Series race of the 2026 season, taking the checkered flag at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday. The 30-year-old driver from Dawsonville, Georgia, led the final 69 laps after a timely pit stop under caution allowed him to get ahead of race leader Ross Chastain. Elliott held off a late charge from Denny Hamlin to secure the victory, his 22nd career Cup Series win.

Why it matters

Elliott's win at the historic Martinsville short track is a significant milestone, not only for the driver but also for his Hendrick Motorsports team, which now has a record 31 victories at the Virginia venue. The victory also comes on the 11th anniversary of Elliott's Cup Series debut, adding to the emotional significance of the accomplishment.

The details

Elliott capitalized on a shrewd call by crew chief Alan Gustafson to pit the No. 9 Chevrolet earlier than the other leaders. When a caution flew on Lap 312, Elliott was able to take the lead after the pit stop cycle. He then held off a late challenge from Hamlin, who had dominated much of the race, leading 292 of the first 317 laps. Hamlin felt a loose wheel contributed to his fading performance in the final stage.

  • Elliott made his Cup Series debut on March 29, 2015, finishing 38th in a race won by Hamlin.
  • The 2026 Martinsville race took place on March 30, 2026.

The players

Chase Elliott

The 30-year-old driver from Dawsonville, Georgia, is an eight-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver and has now won 22 Cup Series races in his career.

Denny Hamlin

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has a series-best six wins at Martinsville Speedway and led for much of Sunday's race before fading late.

Alan Gustafson

Elliott's crew chief, whose strategic call to pit early proved pivotal in the victory.

Rick Hendrick

The owner of Hendrick Motorsports, which now has a record 31 wins at Martinsville Speedway.

Ross Chastain

The driver who briefly held the lead late in the race after staying out during a caution, before being passed by Elliott.

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What they’re saying

“It's really cool when this stuff works out, and to win these races is so tough. So just really, really grateful for the opportunity. I never take it for granted. Trust me, this is a dream come true for me.”

— Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver

“(Elliott) did a good job of controlling the pace there. It just really came from that bad restart I had. Just not much really I could have done, and it felt like we gave it our all. We'll check it out here, but I just thought the wheel was loose here on that last run. Either way, these are just some of the races that get away from you and your career.”

— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver

“He's like, 'Everything's great, love you guys, playing the long game, and this is a marathon, not a sprint.'”

— Alan Gustafson, Crew Chief

What’s next

The NASCAR Cup Series will continue its short-track swing at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee on Sunday, April 12. Kyle Larson has won two of the past three races at the 0.533-mile oval.

The takeaway

Chase Elliott's victory at Martinsville Speedway, on the 11th anniversary of his Cup Series debut, showcases the driver's growth and the strategic acumen of his Hendrick Motorsports team. The win also highlights the team's continued dominance at the historic short track, further cementing their legacy in NASCAR history.