Denny Hamlin Wins Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas, Climbs in 2026 NASCAR Cup Standings

Tyler Reddick maintains points lead after five races, while Hamlin moves up to fourth place in the standings.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:56am

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Denny Hamlin won the Pennzoil 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, leading 134 laps and finishing 0.502 seconds ahead of Chase Elliott. The victory moved Hamlin up eight spots in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings, where Tyler Reddick continues to lead the championship race.

Why it matters

Hamlin's win is significant as he looks to build momentum early in the season and challenge for the Cup Series championship. Meanwhile, the tightening standings behind points leader Reddick indicate an intensifying battle for playoff positions as the regular season progresses.

The details

Hamlin started second and dominated much of the race, leading a race-high 134 laps. Chase Elliott finished second after starting 15th, while William Byron, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs rounded out the top five. The race featured 21 lead changes and three cautions over 2 hours, 41 minutes.

  • The Pennzoil 400 took place on March 15, 2026 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
  • It was the fifth race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The players

Denny Hamlin

A veteran NASCAR driver who won the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas, his first victory of the 2026 season.

Tyler Reddick

The current points leader in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings after five races.

Chase Elliott

The runner-up finisher in the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas, starting 15th and moving up through the field.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The NASCAR Cup Series will head to the next race on the schedule as teams look to gain positions in the standings before the playoff field is set later in the season.

The takeaway

Denny Hamlin's victory at Las Vegas has shaken up the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series standings, with the veteran driver climbing to fourth place overall. However, Tyler Reddick maintains a firm grip on the points lead as the battle for playoff positions intensifies behind him.