Hamlin Controls Closing Laps to Score Third Dover Win

Denny Hamlin added another win at Dover Motor Speedway after putting together a steady late-race run at the “Monster Mile.” The victory marked his third career Cup Series win at Dover and his second straight win there after taking the checkered flag in 2025 as well. Hamlin’s No. 11 team showed speed from the start of the weekend.

He posted a top-10 lap in practice and followed it up in qualifying with a solid starting spot inside the top five, putting himself in the mix early. Over the course of the race, he led 62 laps and stayed inside the top three through the final stage. The race came down to tire wear and long runs. Dover’s concrete surface chewed up the right-side tires, with drop-off usually showing up after about 35 to 40 laps.

That’s where Hamlin made his move. While others faded after shorter runs, the No. 11 car held its pace longer than most. The race had 9 cautions for 52 laps and 14 lead changes among 7 drivers, but Hamlin stayed out of most of the trouble. Clean pit stops and track position kept him near the front all day. He ran most of the second half inside the top five and stayed in range of the lead.

The final restart came with 18 laps left. Hamlin restarted second, got to the lead within 6 laps, and controlled the rest of the race. He built a gap of 1.2 seconds by the finish and didn’t need to defend again in the closing laps. The win moved Hamlin to 58 career Cup Series victories and gave him four wins in the 2025 season. It also stretched his streak to 19 straight seasons with at least one win, one of the longest active runs in NASCAR.

What stood out most wasn’t just the result, but how controlled the performance was from start to finish. The No. 11 team never looked rushed on pit road, and Hamlin managed track position without overdriving the car, even as others burned up their tires trying to chase the lead. With the playoffs getting closer, this kind of execution is exactly what keeps Hamlin in the championship conversation. He didn’t need the fastest car on every run, just the right one when it mattered most, and Dover once again played right into his hands.