Chase Elliott wins Martinsville for Chevy's first '26 victory

Pit strategy helps Elliott hold off Denny Hamlin for NASCAR Cup Series win.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:50am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, cubist-style painting depicting a NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway, with the cars and track broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of bright primary colors.Chevrolet's long-awaited return to Victory Lane at Martinsville Speedway showcases the raw energy and competitive spirit of NASCAR racing.Martinsville Today

Chase Elliott used smart pit strategy to stay out front late and hold off a dominant Denny Hamlin, giving Chevrolet its first NASCAR Cup Series win of the 2026 season at the Cook Out 400 in Martinsville, Virginia.

Why it matters

This victory marks an important milestone for Chevrolet, which has struggled to match the pace of rival manufacturers like Toyota and Ford in recent NASCAR seasons. Elliott's win at the historic Martinsville short track could provide a much-needed boost for the Chevy camp as the season progresses.

The details

Elliott opted to stay out on old tires during a late caution, allowing him to inherit the lead from the dominant Hamlin. Despite Hamlin's faster car, Elliott was able to hold him off over the final laps to secure the victory, Chevrolet's first of the 2026 Cup Series campaign.

  • The Cook Out 400 took place on Sunday, March 30, 2026 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia.

The players

Chase Elliott

The 30-year-old driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, who earned his 42nd career NASCAR Cup Series victory with this win at Martinsville.

Denny Hamlin

The veteran Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver who led the most laps but was unable to catch Elliott at the end of the race.

Chevrolet

The American automobile manufacturer which earned its first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2026 season with Elliott's win at Martinsville.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew we had to do something different to beat Denny today. Staying out on old tires was a gamble, but it paid off in the end.”

— Chase Elliott, Driver, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

“We had the dominant car all day, but just couldn't quite get back around Chase at the end. Proud of the effort, but disappointed we couldn't seal the deal.”

— Denny Hamlin, Driver, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

What’s next

The NASCAR Cup Series will head to the Atlanta Motor Speedway next weekend for the Quaker State 400 on April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

Elliott's victory at Martinsville marks an important turnaround for Chevrolet in the 2026 NASCAR season, as the manufacturer looks to regain its competitive edge against the dominant Toyota and Ford teams.