Hamlin Becomes First Driver Since 1981 to Win Three Straight Races From Pole

Denny Hamlin leading at Kansas in the spring. (Motorsports Today, 2026)

LONG POND, P.A. - Denny Hamlin accomplished something that hasn't happened in 45 years at Pocono Raceway, Sunday, June 14, as he became the fourth driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win three consecutive races from the pole. Darrell Waltrip was the most recent to accomplish the feat back in 1981. Hamlin joins a historic list of Hall of Famers including Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, and Waltrip with his Great American Getaway 400 win.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Hamlin started the race on pole but did not take the lead initially as for the third straight day a car not starting at the point took the lead. That driver this time was Kyle Larson, who led the first 24 laps.

Hamlin would not be denied however, as he passed Larson on lap 25, leading the next five laps in route to a stage one victory. The stage victory was extra important as Tyler Reddick, who he was chasing in points failed to score stage points during the race.

Hamlin fell as far as barely outside the top ten, but on lap 79 assumed the lead for a second time. This time though, Hamlin opted to pit utilizing a separate strategy allowing him to stay out in the third stage, meaning a surprise stage winner came in the second stage.

After a caution on lap 48, Todd Gilliland opted to pit, putting himself in a unique situation to save gas. Gilliland ended up winning the second stage barely over Hamlin's teammate Chase Briscoe, who assumed the lead to begin the final stage.

Hamlin finished ninth in the second stage, first on his strategy. In the final stage it took Hamlin just ten laps to assume the lead for a third time, and he did not give it up until his final stop for service on lap 121.

Ahead though was a strategy developing, as during the caution that occurred for debris on lap 106, more drivers came down to pit, attempting to save more fuel. Instead, it was Hamlin's teammate Christopher Bell, who was racing with a broken left wrist sustained in a crash the previous weekend in Michigan attempting to test the distance.

On lap 138, Bell assumed the lead with over a 10 second margin to Hamlin, but the 11's pace was simply too much for Bell to hold on. Hamlin passed Bell on lap 156 securing the outcome for Hamlin.

Unfortunately for Bell, the gamble did not pay off either as coming to the white flag, he ran out of fuel requiring him to pit. Bell stalled his car in pit road after receiving service costing him a chunk of time, netting him a 26th place finish.

As for Hamlin, he crossed the checkered flag on lap 160 victorious for the third consecutive race, accomplishing a feat for the first time in his career. Not only did Hamlin make history for the first time in 45 years, but Hamlin had never won three consecutive races in his career, until today.

OTHER NOTABLES:

Hendrick Motorsports had a sporty day for the third straight weekend as Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott all seemed like contenders to compete with Denny Hamlin for the win. For Byron it was a third-place effort at the checkered, while Larson finished 5th, and Elliott 11th. The result for Elliott was not reflective of his performance though, as he was arguably Hamlin toughest competition in the mid portions of the race.

Legacy Motor Club had a spectacular day as for the second straight Pocono race, they showed significant pace. John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones similar to Elliott had pace to keep up with Hamlin but simply didn't have the correct strategy to stay ahead of Hamlin.

Both drivers on the final stop had to take more fuel allowing Hamlin to jump them with ease. Regardless of the outcome, the effort was spectacular. At the checkered flag, Nemechek finished 4th and Jones 6th.

UP NEXT:

The NASCAR Cup Series will head out west to Naval Base Coranado to take on the newly built San Diego Street Course to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross won't be present, many of the country's heroes and service members will be in attendance at the race.

Shane Van Gisbergen is the anticipated favorite considering his road course dominance and street course experience, but as known with first time races, anything can happen. Coverage of the race can be found on Amazon Prime with the green flag slated for 4:00 P.M. ET.