Denny Hamlin Claims Victory at Dover Motor Speedway

Denny Hamlin showcased his racing prowess at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, emerging victorious after a challenging race marked by a rain delay and intense competition from his teammates. This win, which was his 58th career victory and fourth of the 2025 season, was particularly meaningful for Hamlin, who reflected on his past struggles at this track. "Things were going pretty well before the rain," he noted. "Then obviously had to endure a few restarts there. But yeah, it was tough. Those guys gave me a run for it, no doubt about it. This whole Progressive Toyota team did amazing … winning here in Dover is super special to me. This is a place I’ve not been very good at the first half of my career. Having a back-to-back here over the last few years is amazing."

Race Resumption and Final Laps

Following a rain delay that lasted over an hour, the race action resumed with just eight laps remaining. The leaders, opting to stay out on older tires, were poised for a fierce finish. Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe, who had pitted for fresh tires, were positioned in ninth and tenth place, respectively. As the green flag waved, Christopher Bell surged alongside Hamlin, challenging for the race lead. Unfortunately, their battle ended in misfortune as Bell spun out at the exit of Turn 4, triggering a caution that also involved William Byron and Noah Gragson crashing while trying to avoid the chaos.

As the caution unfolded, Briscoe capitalized on the opportunity, moving up to fourth place just before the yellow flag flew. The race moved into overtime, and Briscoe quickly advanced to second position. However, the action heated up again on the backstretch when Ryan Preece collided with Zane Smith, sending Smith spinning into the inside wall.

In this tense atmosphere, Hamlin found himself up against another teammate as the race entered double overtime. Briscoe, determined to seize the lead, made contact with Hamlin as they approached the white flag. However, Hamlin’s experience shone through, allowing him to pull ahead and ultimately secure the victory.

Top Finishers and Highlights

The race concluded with Hamlin clinching first place, followed by Chase Briscoe in second, Alex Bowman in third, Kyle Larson in fourth, and Ty Gibbs rounding out the top five. The remaining top ten finishers included Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, and Brad Keselowski. Additionally, in a noteworthy highlight of the race, Gibbs triumphed over Reddick in the $1 million in-season challenge, leading to a thrilling matchup set to occur at the Brickyard 400.

Stage 1: A Competitive Start

The race kicked off with Chase Elliott and Briscoe vying for the lead. As the competition heated up, Shane van Gisbergen encountered trouble with a right-front tire issue, prompting an unscheduled pit stop that left him nearly five laps behind the leaders. This setback was particularly disheartening for van Gisbergen, who had recently celebrated back-to-back wins at road and street courses.

In accordance with NASCAR’s regulations, a competition caution was set for Lap 35 due to the absence of practice and qualifying on Saturday. Fortunately, no significant issues were reported during this period. As the race continued, Elliott found himself in a fierce duel with Daniel Suarez, who was trying to stay on the lead lap. Elliott ultimately prevailed, winning the stage and finishing ahead of Bell and Hamlin. Notably, Suarez’s relentless effort paid off, allowing him to regain his position on the lead lap by earning the free pass.

Stage 2: Strategic Pit Stops

The second stage of the race unfolded without major incidents, leading to a series of green-flag pit stops. Unfortunately for Elliott, his car fell off the jack during a pit stop, resulting in Hamlin taking over the lead. However, it wasn’t long before Bell seized control of the race, showcasing his skill and tenacity. Carson Hocevar was among those who opted for a longer pit strategy, narrowly avoiding disaster when he collided with the outside wall, damaging his car in the process.

Hamlin faced challenges in reclaiming the lead, becoming increasingly frustrated as he found himself stuck behind the lapped car of Ty Dillon. This conflict was further complicated by Dillon’s own fierce battle with John Hunter Nemechek, particularly in relation to the ongoing $1 million in-season challenge.

As the stage drew to a close, A.J. Allmendinger experienced a significant setback when he lost his brakes and was forced to retire from the race. In the final moments of the stage, Ross Chastain became entangled in a conflict while attempting to lap Ricky Stenhouse Jr., resulting in a collision. Ultimately, Bell emerged victorious in the stage, with Bowman and Hamlin finishing second and third, respectively.

Stage 3: A Dramatic Conclusion

As the final stage commenced, Bell, who had been leading the pack, faced an unexpected challenge when his car bottomed out and spun, miraculously avoiding contact with any other vehicles. Following the subsequent restart, tensions escalated as Chastain and Joey Logano clashed, with Logano seemingly seeking retribution for a past incident at Chicago.

As the race progressed, the approach of rain caused uncertainty among the drivers, complicating strategies as they prepared for green-flag pit stops. Both Bell and Austin Dillon opted to remain on the track, hoping to capitalize on the weather situation as raindrops began to fall. When the anticipated caution for rain materialized, it shifted the dynamics of the race significantly.

Eventually, the race was red-flagged with just 13 laps remaining as the rain intensified. However, NASCAR officials opted against calling the race off entirely. Instead, after a brief pause, they dispatched jet driers to prepare the track for racing once again. This interval lasted 56 minutes, setting the stage for an exhilarating sprint to the finish line.

Final Thoughts on the Race

Denny Hamlin’s triumph at Dover Motor Speedway is a testament to his perseverance and skill as a driver. The challenges he faced throughout the race, from the rain delays to the intense competition from his teammates, only served to highlight his resilience and determination. As the season continues, fans can look forward to more thrilling races and the ongoing battle for supremacy in the NASCAR circuit.

With this victory, Hamlin not only solidified his status as a formidable competitor but also underscored the unpredictability and excitement that defines NASCAR racing. As drivers gear up for future races, the lessons learned and strategies implemented at Dover will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their ongoing pursuit of success on the track.