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Martinsville Today
By the People, for the People
Hamlin Wins Pole for Cook Out 400 at Martinsville
Veteran driver claims 49th career pole position at historic short track
Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:05pm
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Denny Hamlin's 49th career pole position at the historic Martinsville Speedway sets the stage for an intense and unpredictable Cook Out 400 NASCAR race.Martinsville TodayDenny Hamlin will start on the pole for the Cook Out 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway after posting the fastest qualifying time of 19.275 seconds at 98.241 mph. William Byron qualified second, followed by Josh Berry, Ty Gibbs, and Shane van Gisbergen in the top five. Points leader Tyler Reddick will start 8th, while Ryan Blaney rolls off 12th.
Why it matters
Martinsville is one of the most historic and challenging short tracks on the NASCAR circuit, and starting up front is crucial for drivers looking to contend for the win. Hamlin's 49th career pole at the Virginia track showcases his mastery of the paperclip-shaped oval, while the strong qualifying efforts of young guns like Berry and van Gisbergen highlight the depth of talent in the current Cup Series field.
The details
Hamlin's pole-winning lap edged out William Byron by just 0.056 seconds, with Josh Berry, Ty Gibbs, and Shane van Gisbergen rounding out the top five starters. Tyler Reddick, the current points leader, will start 8th, while Ryan Blaney rolls off 12th. Todd Gilliland was the fastest Ford driver in practice and will start 29th.
- Qualifying for the Cook Out 400 took place on Friday, March 28, 2026.
The players
Denny Hamlin
A veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver who has won a record 49 pole positions at Martinsville Speedway.
William Byron
A rising star in the NASCAR Cup Series, currently driving for Hendrick Motorsports.
Josh Berry
A part-time NASCAR Cup Series driver who has found success in the Xfinity Series, driving for JR Motorsports.
Ty Gibbs
The grandson of legendary NASCAR owner Joe Gibbs, Ty Gibbs is a promising young driver in the Cup Series.
Shane van Gisbergen
A renowned international racing driver from New Zealand, making his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Martinsville.
What they’re saying
“We've had a really fast car all weekend, and I'm excited to get out there and try to get another Martinsville win.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
What’s next
The Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
The takeaway
Denny Hamlin's 49th career pole position at Martinsville Speedway showcases his mastery of the historic short track, while the strong qualifying efforts of young drivers like Josh Berry and Shane van Gisbergen highlight the depth of talent in the current NASCAR Cup Series field.
