The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway had everything a fan could want—multiple leaders, pit road problems, wild strategy calls, late-race chaos, and a thrilling finish under double overtime. Denny Hamlin emerged victorious after a fierce battle with teammate Chase Briscoe, earning his fourth win of the season and third career triumph at the Monster Mile.
Here’s how the action unfolded during one of the most dramatic races of the year.
Early Moves and Chase Briscoe’s Fast Start
The green flag flew under clear skies as TNT resumed its portion of the NASCAR media rights deal. It didn’t take long for the action to heat up. Chase Briscoe made a bold move early, jumping ahead of Chase Elliott to grab the lead in the opening laps. Bubba Wallace was also aggressive, slicing through traffic three-wide in Turn 1, while Tyler Reddick tucked in behind to avoid early chaos.
Handling woes surfaced early for the No. 88 car, which skated up the track in Turns 3 and 4 due to grip issues. That team would struggle to find a rhythm the rest of the day.
Stage 1 Goes to Chase Elliott, Pit Road Drama Follows
Chase Elliott led the way through much of Stage 1 and managed lap traffic expertly to secure the stage win. But a mishap on pit road derailed his momentum. During a green-flag pit stop, the jack slipped under the car, costing him precious time. The No. 20 of Christopher Bell and the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin capitalized on Elliott’s trouble, cycling into the front spots.
It was a textbook example of how pit stops can make or break a contender. Despite clean execution after the mishap, Elliott dropped out of the lead battle.
Christopher Bell’s Dominant Surge and First Spin
Christopher Bell took full control in Stage 2, showing speed and poise. He passed Hamlin and never looked back, cruising to his second stage win of the year. Bell led a race-high 59 laps before disaster struck.
On a restart early in the final stage, Bell lost the car entering Turn 1 and spun all by himself, triggering the race’s first caution for incident. With no contact and minimal damage, he stayed on the lead lap but lost track position.
Crew chief Adam Stevens rolled the dice, keeping Bell out on old tires hoping for a caution. That bet paid off—just before he was set to pit, a yellow flew, flipping the strategy game in his favor and vaulting Bell back into contention.
Late-Race Cautions and Double Overtime Mayhem
The final 50 laps at Dover were packed with lead changes, tire strategy questions, and major incidents. Austin Dillon made a power move on the outside lane, battling up to third, while Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson clawed forward with fresher tires.
With 7 laps to go, disaster struck again. Bell, racing for the lead against Hamlin, spun for the second time—this time triggering a massive crash on the frontstretch. William Byron and Noah Gragson suffered heavy damage in the melee, forcing the race into overtime.
In the first overtime attempt, Hamlin pulled ahead of Briscoe but was caught just before the white flag when another caution flew. That set up a second overtime and a front row filled with Joe Gibbs Racing teammates.
Chase Briscoe Pressures, Denny Hamlin Delivers
With fresher tires, Briscoe looked poised to steal the win. He drew even with Hamlin down the backstretch, but Hamlin masterfully used side-drafting and dirty air to stall Briscoe’s momentum in the corners. Meanwhile, Alex Bowman climbed to third, ready to pounce if the leaders tangled.
White flag in the air, Hamlin surged ahead by a car length entering Turn 3. Briscoe gave one last charge, but it wasn’t enough. Hamlin held on to score his fourth win of the 2025 season—capping off a day that showcased experience, strategy, and defensive driving.
News in Brief: All the Big 2025 Dover Cup Race Highlights
Denny Hamlin’s victory at Dover was as gritty as it gets. He fought through pit cycles, track position battles, tire wear, and aggressive teammates to emerge on top. At age 44, he’s still proving he can outduel the best in the Cup garage.
Christopher Bell’s speed was undeniable, but his two spins highlighted the fine line between aggression and disaster. Chase Briscoe continues to impress in his new JGR role, and his runner-up finish tightens his grip on a playoff spot.
With only a handful of regular-season races remaining, the Monster Mile offered a clear message: the road to Phoenix will be anything but predictable.
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