Denny Hamlin’s record-setting victory at Pocono Raceway is officially in the books.
NASCAR announced Sunday evening that post-race inspection had been completed following the Great American Getaway 400, confirming Hamlin as the race winner after no issues were found with the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
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The victory was Hamlin’s eighth career NASCAR Cup Series win at Pocono, extending his own track record at the “Tricky Triangle.” It also marked his third consecutive Cup Series victory, making Hamlin the first driver this season to win three races in a row.
For a driver still chasing the first championship of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, the timing could not be much better.
Denny Hamlin’s Championship Push Continues to Gain Momentum
Hamlin entered Pocono fresh off victories at Nashville Superspeedway and Michigan International Speedway.
He added another trophy Sunday after taking the lead with four laps remaining when teammate Christopher Bell’s fuel-mileage gamble came up short.
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The win continued one of the strongest stretches of Hamlin’s season and significantly tightened the regular-season championship battle.
Tyler Reddick entered Pocono holding a comfortable lead atop the Cup Series standings. After Hamlin’s victory and Reddick’s difficult afternoon, that advantage shrank considerably.
With eight races remaining before the NASCAR playoffs begin, Hamlin suddenly finds himself firmly back in the conversation for the regular-season title.
The veteran driver has repeatedly said that winning a championship remains the one major accomplishment missing from his résumé. Based on recent form, few drivers appear better positioned heading into the summer stretch.
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Six Cars Headed to NASCAR’s R&D Center
While Hamlin’s race-winning Toyota cleared inspection without issue, NASCAR announced six cars will return to the Research and Development Center for further evaluation.
Those cars are:
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No. 5 Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)
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No. 7 Daniel Suarez (Chevrolet)
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No. 12 Ryan Blaney (Ford)
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No. 17 Chris Buescher (Ford)
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No. 42 John Hunter Nemechek (Toyota)
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No. 45 Tyler Reddick (Toyota)
Selection for R&D inspection does not indicate a rules violation. NASCAR routinely sends vehicles back for additional examination as part of its ongoing competition and inspection process.
Cup Series Heads to San Diego Next
With Pocono officially complete, the NASCAR Cup Series now turns its attention to next weekend’s inaugural street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.
Hamlin will arrive with more momentum than anyone in the garage.
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Three straight victories, a record eighth Pocono win, and a rapidly shrinking gap to the regular-season points leader have transformed what was already a strong season into one of the most impressive championship pushes of 2026.
And now, with post-race inspection complete, Sunday’s victory is officially his.
