Hamlin Wins Cook Out 400, Ends Martinsville Drought

Denny Hamlin ended a decade-long winless streak at Martinsville Speedway, securing his 55th career NASCAR Cup Series victory and tying with Rusty Wallace for 11th on the all-time wins list. Hamlin's victory at the Cook Out 400 was marked by a dominant performance, leading 274 of the 400 laps, and was his first with new crew chief Chris Gayle. Christopher Bell, starting from the pole, finished second, and Bubba Wallace completed a Toyota sweep of the podium. This win also secured Hamlin's place in the playoffs, marking a significant achievement for the 44-year-old driver amidst his ongoing career. Hamlin's performance was a testament to his confidence and skill, despite acknowledging the challenges of aging in the sport. The race set the stage for upcoming events, including Hamlin's next race at Darlington Raceway.