Chase Elliott’s victory at Martinsville ended a six-week winless streak for Hendrick Motorsports.
Denny Hamlin led a race-high 292 laps and won two stages but finished in second place.
The NASCAR Cup Series will take a one-week break for Easter before returning at Bristol Motor Speedway.
NASCAR’s trip to Martinsville came at a good time for Hendrick Motorsports.
No, the constant contender hadn’t turned to rubbish in the last two months, but it had not captured a victory through the first six weeks of 2026. That served as their longest winless streak to open a season since 2019.
If there was ever a perfect place to change that, it was the historic speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia, though.
Chase Elliott grabbed the checkers in the Cook Out 400 on March 29. The win marked Hendrick’s 31st on the 0.526-mile oval, the most of any organization at any track in the sport.
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Elliott led 84 laps. He held off Denny Hamlin, who dominated the first two stages before settling into the runner-up spot.
Let’s break it down.
1. Chase Elliott’s gamble pays off on milestone day
Elliott’s victory doubled as an anniversary gift.
He debuted in the Cup Series on the same day at the same track 11 years ago.
Now in his 11th full-time campaign, Elliott carries 22 career wins, including two at Martinsville.
“It’s really cool when this stuff works out, and to win these races is so tough,” he said. “Just really grateful for the opportunity as always. I never take it for granted, trust me. It’s a dream come true for me.”
It required some smart moves and a dash of luck.
Alan Gustafson, the crew chief for the No. 9 Chevrolet, called for Elliott to short pit on Lap 261. The strategy panned out for the duo when a caution flag on Lap 312 allowed Elliott to pit again from second and remain up front.
“We took a gamble,” Elliott said. “We were going to two-stop that last stage. I honestly think it was going to work out really good for us either way. Just so proud of them, man.”
2. Denny Hamlin almost repeats history in Martinsville spring race
Hamlin looked to be doing it again.
In 2025, he commanded the spring race at Martinsville, pacing everyone for 274 laps on his way to Victory Lane.
He surpassed that total this go-around with 292 laps led. He also laid down the fastest qualifying time Saturday and snatched two stage wins Sunday. It was Hamlin at his best.
But following the final caution, Elliott wrestled away the lead, and Hamlin spent the rest of the race in unsuccessful pursuit.
“He did a good job controlling the pace there,” Hamlin said. “It really came from that bad restart I had besides (Ross Chastain). Just not much really I could’ve done there, and it felt like we gave it our all.”
3. NASCAR Cup Series heads to Bristol after Easter break
The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series will visit Rockingham Speedway next week. The Trucks will kick things off on April 3, and the O’Reilly cars will follow on April 4.
But the Cup Series drivers won’t be accompanying them.
They’ll take a one-week Easter break on April 5, and they’ll have to enjoy it. They won’t receive another fully idle Sunday until the beginning of August.
After the bye, the Cup stars will return to the track on April 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Food City 500 will begin at 3 p.m. and air on FS1.