Denny Hamlin Wins Pennzoil 400, Chase Elliott Close Behind

LAS VEGAS – Denny Hamlin secured his 61st NASCAR Cup Series victory at the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 15, 2026, holding off a late challenge from Chase Elliott. The race marked the fifth event of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Hamlin’s Dominant Performance

Hamlin, driving the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Yahoo Toyota, led a total of 134 laps out of the 267-lap race. Despite a speeding penalty that sent him to the back of the field, Hamlin battled back to capture the win.

Elliott’s Strong Finish

Chase Elliott finished a close second, just 0.502 seconds behind Hamlin. Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports team showed overall strength, with William Byron finishing third and Kyle Larson finishing seventh.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Success

Joe Gibbs Racing had a strong showing placing four cars in the top eight. Ty Gibbs finished fifth, and Christopher Bell finished fourth.

RFK Racing Shows Consistency

RFK Racing also had a successful day, with Chris Buescher finishing sixth, Brad Keselowski finishing tenth, and Ryan Preece finishing eleventh.

Challenges for Other Drivers

Shane van Gisbergen faced a difficult race, finishing last (36th) after early damage to his car. Josh Berry also struggled, finishing 31st and multiple laps down after a pit road speeding penalty. Local Las Vegas drivers Riley Herbst, Kyle Busch, and Noah Gragson also had challenging races, finishing outside the top 20.

Looking Ahead

Hamlin’s win solidifies his position as a top contender in the NASCAR Cup Series. Future races will be crucial in determining whether he can maintain his momentum and whether Elliott or Byron can challenge for the lead.