Chase Briscoe holds off Denny Hamlin to win a nail-biting NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono, prevailing after a tense final-lap duel on Sunday. Hamlin, who was seeking his eighth career victory at the track, applied pressure in the closing laps, but Briscoe’s risky fuel strategy proved decisive.
Hamlin’s Late Push Comes Up Short
Denny Hamlin made a strong bid for the win but ultimately finished second after chasing Briscoe during the critical closing laps at Pocono. Hamlin explained that a pivotal moment in the race occurred when Briscoe and several others pitted just before a caution period, giving them a track position advantage.
“It was definitely going to be really difficult,”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
“The key moment, the 19 (Chase Briscoe) and like three or four others pitted and then that caution came out, and it leaped them in front of us. At that point, we knew it was going to be really hard to pass those guys back on the racetrack. The team did a great job, next best in line there of our strategy. Just didn’t work out.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Despite not overtaking Briscoe, Hamlin continued his string of strong performances with a second-place result. The Pocono finish follows a win at Michigan earlier this month and marks his third consecutive top-three finish. Hamlin remains confident in his team’s current form and their preparation for upcoming challenges.
“Not showing up with any weaknesses right now. I’m really proud of the effort that we’ve put forth. Love to get more wins, but still, it was a good overall solid day for us. Now, we move on to the next series of races.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Briscoe’s Gamble Changes the Race
Briscoe’s decision to pit just before a critical caution helped vault him ahead of key contenders, including Hamlin, and allowed him to maintain control at the front in the tense final moments. While Hamlin put the pressure on, he ultimately could not force Briscoe into a mistake or fuel miscalculation.
Hamlin, who holds a record seven Cup Series wins at Pocono, was aiming for an eighth but fell just short as Briscoe successfully managed his resources and held off every challenge.
Hamlin Returns After Family Milestone
The race marked Hamlin’s return to competition following his absence from the previous week’s event in Mexico City, as he had stayed home for the birth of his son Jameson. After qualifying for the Pocono event, Hamlin spoke about his experience watching the Mexico City race from home, describing the emotional difficulty of missing out on competition.
“It wasn’t weird on Sunday. Friday, I had bad FOMO [Fear of Missing Out],”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin admitted feeling the urge to be on track, especially when practice began in Mexico City, but shared that he eventually settled into his role at home. He also reported that both Jameson and his partner were doing well after the birth.
“But yeah. Jameson’s doing good, mom’s doing good. So, yeah, just glad that we were able to have that opportunity to see that weekend through.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
What the Finish Means Moving Forward
Chase Briscoe’s gutsy fuel strategy and drive to the line mark one of his most significant Cup Series moments, especially outpacing a dominant Pocono competitor like Hamlin. Hamlin continues to showcase consistency, remaining a threat in the series with a recent win at Michigan and strong finishes. Both drivers are now focused on maintaining momentum as they look toward the next stretch of the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.
