Hamlin's Historic Win
Denny Hamlin Secures Third Consecutive NASCAR Cup Victory at Pocono Raceway
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Denny Hamlin won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, claiming his third straight victory and his 64th career Cup win. The win moves him past the late Kyle Busch into sole possession of ninth place on the all-time wins list, according to AP News.
It is the first time in more than 720 starts that Hamlin has won three consecutive races. The streak — Nashville, Michigan, Pocono — has reignited debate over whether the 45-year-old will stick to his plan to retire after the 2027 season, WRAL reported.
How Hamlin Ran Down the Field at Pocono
Hamlin started from the pole after posting a lap of 173.250 mph in qualifying on Saturday. He won Stage 1 after a late battle with Kyle Larson. A multi-car wreck involving Brad Keselowski and Bubba Wallace shook up Stage 2, which went to Todd Gilliland, according to Motorsport.com.
Hamlin's teammate Christopher Bell led late but tried a fuel-gamble strategy. It backfired. Bell ran dry with two laps to go and fell from first to 26th. Hamlin swept past and crossed the line at 2:56 PM. "This pit crew is flawless," Hamlin said after the race. "We just have it all going. That's why we're winning," per Prime Video.
Surpassing Kyle Busch Weeks After His Death
The milestone carries a heavy emotional weight. Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and Hamlin's longtime Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, died on May 21 at age 41. His career win total stood at 63. Hamlin tied that mark at Michigan the week before Pocono, dedicating that win to Busch, according to Herald Bulletin.
Sunday's win at Pocono also came nearly 20 years after Hamlin's very first Cup victory at the same track in June 2006. He has now won eight times at Pocono — a track record — per WRAL. The next milestone on the all-time wins list is Dale Earnhardt Sr., who sits eighth with 76 victories.
Retirement Clock Ticking — or Is It?
Hamlin is signed through 2027 and has said he will retire when that deal ends. He has pointed to eyesight, reaction time, and physical pain as reasons to stop. But his current form is making those around him skeptical. Dave Alpern, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, said plainly: "I'll believe that when I see it," per Gazette Extra.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. pressed Hamlin on the question live on air after the race, noting that winning three straight is a feat reserved for all-time greats. JGR has already identified 18-year-old Brent Crews as the likely successor for the No. 11 Toyota in 2028 if Hamlin does walk away, according to Post Register.
Hamlin Closing In on Tyler Reddick for Points Lead
The three-race streak has transformed the 2026 standings. Just five weeks ago, Hamlin trailed points leader Tyler Reddick by 129 points. That gap is now just 19 points, according to Chron. Reddick — who drives for 23XI Racing, the team Hamlin co-owns with Michael Jordan — finished second at Pocono.
Hamlin and Reddick have combined to win 10 of the season's first 16 races. Winning the regular season title gives a driver a key points buffer heading into the playoffs. That makes Hamlin a strong favorite for the 2026 Cup championship — which would be his first, Action News Jax reported.
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