Chase Elliott's gamble pays off with win in NASCAR Cup race at Martinsville

USA TODAY

March 29, 2026, 8:10 p.m. ET

For most of the afternoon at Martinsville Speedway, it looked like we'd see a repeat winner at The Paperclip. Las Vegas winner Denny Hamlin controlled the race and led nearly every lap through the first two stages of NASCAR Cup Series racing on the short track in Martinsville, Virginia.

But Chase Elliott and his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports crew took a risk by two-stopping the final stage, and the 2020 Cup Series champion held Hamlin off in the closing laps as the two made their way through lapped traffic. Elliott earned his second career Cup win in Martinsville and the first of the season for Hendrick Motorsports in 2026.

"Sure is a lot of fun when days like this work out," Elliott said.

He knew he had a chance when the final caution period came around the halfway point of the final stage after Bubba Wallace made contact with Carson Hocevar.

"I told them about half, three-quarters of the way through I really don't dislike my balance, I just wish I could control my runs a little better," Elliott said. "Fortunately we got to the lead on that last one and fell into a really good pace."

This is Elliott's first win since taking the checkered flag at Kansas Speedway last September and the first win for Hendrick Motorspors since William Byron won the 2025 playoff race at Martinsville in October.

"Man, it's really cool when this stuff works out and to win these races is so tough," Elliott said. "Really grateful for the opportunity as always, I never take it for granted. Trust me, this is a dream come true for me."

Here are the highlights and final results from the Cook Out 400:

NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville highlights

NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville results

Here's how the field finished the Cook Out 400:

(9) Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
(11) Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
(22) Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford
(54) Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
(24) William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
(12) Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
(20) Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
(2) Austin Cindric, Team Penske Ford
(5) Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
(21) Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing Ford
(97) Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
(60) Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Ford
(6) Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Ford
(19) Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
(45) Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota
(1) Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
(77) Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
(71) Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
(17) Chris Buescher, RFK Racing Ford
(7) Daniel Suarez, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
(43) Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
(48) Justin Allgaier, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
(34) Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford
(8) Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
(3) Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
(88) Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
(16) AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
(4) Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford
(42) John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
(47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
(41) Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Chevrolet
(51) Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
(33) Austin Hill, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
(38) Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford
(35) Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota
(23) Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Toyota
(10) Ty Dillon, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Featured Weekly Ad