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Martinsville Today
By the People, for the People
Denny Hamlin Secures Pole Position for Martinsville NASCAR Race
Hamlin tops qualifying as starting lineup set for Cook Out 400 on Sunday
Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:51pm
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Denny Hamlin's pole-winning qualifying effort sets the stage for an intense battle at the historic Martinsville Speedway.Martinsville TodayDenny Hamlin will start on the pole for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway after posting the fastest qualifying time. William Byron will join Hamlin on the front row, while Hendersonville's Josh Berry qualified third.
Why it matters
Qualifying well at the short Martinsville track is crucial, as passing can be difficult. Hamlin, a seven-time winner at Martinsville, will look to capitalize on his prime starting position and secure another victory at the historic Virginia circuit.
The details
Hamlin's lap of 19.275 seconds was 0.356 seconds faster than Byron's qualifying time. Berry, competing for his first career pole, qualified third with a time of 19.334 seconds. The full starting lineup features several top drivers, including Ty Gibbs, Shane van Gisbergen, and defending series champion Chase Elliott.
- Qualifying took place on March 28, 2026 ahead of the Cook Out 400 on March 29.
The players
Denny Hamlin
A veteran NASCAR driver who competes full-time in the Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin is a seven-time winner at Martinsville Speedway.
William Byron
A rising star in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
Josh Berry
A driver from Hendersonville, Tennessee who was competing for his first career NASCAR Cup Series pole position.
What they’re saying
“We've had a really strong car all weekend and I'm proud of this team for putting together such a great qualifying effort.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
“Martinsville is such a unique track, and starting up front is so important. We'll do our best to keep up with Denny and have a strong run on Sunday.”
— William Byron, NASCAR Driver
“I'm really excited to start up front in my first Cup Series race at Martinsville. This team has given me a great car and I'm ready to compete for the win.”
— Josh Berry, NASCAR Driver
What’s next
The Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway will take place on Sunday, March 29 at approximately 2:30 p.m. CT. The race will be broadcast nationally on FS1.
The takeaway
Denny Hamlin's pole-winning performance at Martinsville sets him up well to add to his impressive resume at the historic short track. However, several other top drivers will be in pursuit, making for an exciting race on Sunday as the NASCAR Cup Series season continues.
