US EditionChase Elliott Wins NASCAR Martinsville Race for First Chevy Win of 2026
- On Sunday, March 29, 2026, Chase Elliott won the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, securing his first victory of the 2026 season and ending an early-year drought for Hendrick Motorsports.
- Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin dominated the early stages, winning both and leading 292 of the 400 laps before losing the lead during a pit stop sequence under caution on lap 312.
- Crew chief Alan Gustafson opted to pit Elliott early while competitors stayed on track, a strategic gamble that provided crucial track position and allowed Elliott to lead the final 69 laps to victory.
- Bubba Wallace made contact with Carson Hocevar with 74 laps remaining, triggering a multi-car pile-up that bunched the field and significantly altered the final run to the checkered flag.
- Tyler Reddick remains the NASCAR Cup Series points leader after seven races despite finishing 15th, while Elliott's victory positions him for the season's next short-track test at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Rutland Herald
Rick Hendrick and his team made all the right calls in earning first NASCAR victory of the season
Alan Gustafson ignored the phone call while packing a suitcase for the Sunday morning drive to Martinsville Speedway. Then he saw whom he’d missed — NASCAR Cup Series team owner Rick Hendrick. Gustafson called him back as soon as he…
Rick Hendrick and his team made all the right calls in earning first NASCAR victory of the season - The Morning Sun
MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Alan Gustafson ignored the phone call while packing a suitcase for the Sunday morning drive to Martinsville Speedway. Then he saw whom he’d missed — NASCAR Cup Series team owner Rick Hendrick. “I better get on it,” Gustafson said with a chuckle. “As soon as I got in the car, I called him right back.” The founder of Hendrick Motorsports had a message that he wanted the crew chief for Chase Elliott to deliver to his team, …
NASCAR Power Rankings After Chase Elliott's Stunning Win At Martinsville
Chase Elliott NASCAR Martinsville For about 90 percent of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville, it looked like a sure thing that Denny Hamlin would take home yet another victory at a track he often dominates. However, they don’t throw the checkered flag until 100 percent of the race, and after a late strategy call, a timely caution, and some impressive driving, Chase Elliott walked away with his first victory of the 2026 season. Ellio…
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