Martinsville Showdown: Elliott Aims to Claim Grandfather Clock

NASCAR's short-track specialists set to battle for victory at historic Virginia circuit.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:53am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the chaos and energy of a NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of color representing the speed, action, and competition on the historic Virginia short track.The iconic Martinsville Speedway short track will test the skills of NASCAR's top drivers as they battle for the coveted grandfather clock trophy.Martinsville Today

NASCAR Cup Series drivers will face a unique challenge this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, navigating the 0.526-mile 'Paperclip' oval with additional horsepower, tire falloff, and braking demands. Racing Insights projections indicate that short-track aces like Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron could rise to the occasion in the 400-lap Cook Out 400.

Why it matters

Martinsville is one of NASCAR's most historic and iconic venues, with the winner receiving the coveted grandfather clock trophy. The race often comes down to mastery of the tight confines and unique demands of the Virginia short track, making it a critical test for championship contenders.

The details

Chase Elliott is projected to earn his first Cup Series victory of 2026, potentially giving Hendrick Motorsports its first win of the season. However, Denny Hamlin, the defending spring race winner, is expected to challenge for his 62nd career Cup triumph. William Byron, who has dominated Martinsville in recent years, is also a top contender to reach Victory Lane.

  • The Cook Out 400 is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
  • Last year, William Byron swept both stages and won the Martinsville fall race to clinch a Championship 4 berth.

The players

Chase Elliott

The Hendrick Motorsports driver is projected to earn his first Cup Series victory of the 2026 season at Martinsville.

Denny Hamlin

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran is the defending winner of the Martinsville spring race and is seeking his 62nd career Cup Series triumph.

William Byron

The Hendrick Motorsports driver has dominated Martinsville in recent years, leading the most laps (664) of any driver at the track over the last several seasons.

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What they’re saying

“Martinsville is always a unique challenge, but with the changes we're seeing this year, it's going to be a real test of who can master the short track.”

— Chase Elliott, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

“I love coming back to Martinsville. It's a track that really suits my driving style, and I'm confident we can contend for the win on Sunday.”

— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

What’s next

The starting lineup for the Cook Out 400 will be set on Saturday, March 28th, with qualifying determining the pole position.

The takeaway

The battle for the Martinsville grandfather clock trophy promises to be a thrilling showdown between some of NASCAR's short-track masters, with Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and William Byron emerging as the drivers to watch in the fight for victory.