Denny Hamlin Ties NASCAR Pole Position Record at Martinsville

The veteran driver earned his 49th career pole, matching a Hall of Famer's mark.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:22pm

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An abstract, energetic painting with bold, neon-colored brushstrokes conveying the speed and intensity of a NASCAR stock car racing around the tight turns of Martinsville Speedway.Denny Hamlin's record-tying pole position at Martinsville Speedway sets the stage for an exciting race on Sunday.Martinsville Today

Denny Hamlin, the veteran driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, earned his fifth pole position at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. His lap of 98.241 mph in the No. 11 Toyota tied him with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Isaac for 10th place on the all-time Cup Series pole position list with 49 career poles.

Why it matters

Hamlin's strong qualifying performance at the historic Martinsville short track puts him in a good position to contend for the win on Sunday. Pole position is crucial at the tight, flat oval where passing can be difficult. Tying Isaac's record also cements Hamlin's status as one of the top qualifiers of his generation.

The details

Hamlin's pole-winning lap edged out William Byron, who qualified second in the No. 24 Chevrolet at 97.957 mph. This marks Hamlin's fifth career pole at Martinsville, one of his best tracks on the Cup Series circuit.

  • Hamlin earned the pole position on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Denny Hamlin

A veteran driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and one of the top qualifiers in the modern NASCAR Cup Series.

Bobby Isaac

A NASCAR Hall of Famer who holds the 10th-most pole positions in Cup Series history with 49.

William Byron

A young driver for Hendrick Motorsports who qualified second for the race at Martinsville.

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What’s next

Hamlin will look to convert his pole position into a victory in the 400-lap race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The takeaway

Denny Hamlin's record-tying pole position at Martinsville Speedway demonstrates his continued excellence as one of NASCAR's top qualifiers, further cementing his status as an all-time great driver.