Denny Hamlin wins Dover overtime race after a dramatic series of events on Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway, overcoming a lengthy rain delay, complex strategy calls, and two tense overtime restarts. Hamlin secured his fourth NASCAR Cup Series victory of 2025 by narrowly holding off his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe in a heart-stopping finish.
Hamlin Holds Firm in Rain-Interrupted Thriller
The EchoPark AutoTrader 400 at Dover saw high drama as a 56-minute red flag stopped the proceedings for rain late in the race. When action resumed, competitors faced crucial choices on tire management and race tactics. Veteran driver Hamlin showed composure under pressure, successfully fending off challenges in both overtime shootouts to claim his 58th career win. This marks back-to-back victories at the concrete mile for Hamlin and indicates his growing momentum this season on the NASCAR circuit.
The race concluded with Hamlin edging teammate Briscoe despite the latter’s fresher tires, earning the distinction of becoming only the 13th driver to win consecutive Cup races at Dover. The final margin, a razor-thin .310 seconds, highlighted just how close the competition was. Hendrick Motorsports made a solid showing, with Alex Bowman and Kyle Larson finishing third and fourth, respectively. Ty Gibbs, Hamlin’s fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver, rounded out the top five.
Lead Changes and Pivotal Moments Shape the Outcome
Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports appeared set to extend his streak as he led 238 of 407 laps—his strongest performance this summer. Elliott managed to overcome adversity on pit road, nabbing his first stage win of the year. Nonetheless, a cycle of pit stops and perfectly timed strategies allowed Hamlin to seize command when Elliott pitted for fresh tires during a caution period. Hamlin maintained his lead when rain returned with just 15 laps remaining, and he never looked back through the final restarts.
Despite Elliott’s dominance for much of the race, it was Hamlin’s strategy and ability to manage late-race pressure that ultimately determined the outcome. Briscoe pressed him hard during the overtime sprint, with both cars even making slight contact on the white flag lap before Hamlin secured the win.
Drivers React to a Tense Dover Finish
Reflecting on his achievement, Hamlin shared personal and professional satisfaction, noting the significance of winning at a track where he previously struggled. “Things were going pretty well there before the rain and then obviously had to endure a few restarts there,’’ said a smiling Hamlin, 44, who collected his 58th career victory and first trophy since the birth of his son, Jameson last month. It was tough, those guys gave me a run for it, no doubt about it.’’ —Denny Hamlin, Driver
He continued to highlight his growth at Dover over time: “Winning here at Dover is super special to me,’’ he continued. This is a place I had not been very good at the first half of my career and then to have back-to-back (wins) here the last couple years is amazing.’’ —Denny Hamlin, Driver
Briscoe, who came up just short, expressed both disappointment and respect for his teammate’s skill and the team’s performance. “I thought I did everything I needed to and thought I had it there for a second,’’ Briscoe said. I was so close to clearing him and just couldn’t do it. Obviously racing a teammate, I wanted to make sure at least a JGR car won. Honestly it was a great day. We weren’t probably a second place race car, we were probably fifth to 10th place car. Glad we were able to make a good finish out of it.’’ —Chase Briscoe, Driver
Championship Standings Shift and Playoff Picture Evolves
Chase Elliott, while unable to reclaim the lead, finished sixth, which was enough for him to take the championship points lead over William Byron by 17 points. Byron’s late-race accident with just two laps to go opened the door for Elliott, marking his first time atop the standings this season, with five regular-season races still ahead. Behind Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, and Brad Keselowski filled out the top ten at Dover.
The battle for playoff qualification remained fierce, as Wallace’s seventh-place finish gave him a 16-point cushion over Ryan Preece for the final playoff spot. Kyle Busch’s 11th-place result leaves him trailing Wallace by 39 points, keeping his playoff hopes alive but precarious. The driver lineup for the 16-car postseason grid remains far from settled, adding even more intensity to the next events on the schedule.
Gibbs and Dillon Advance in In-Season Challenge
This Dover race also finalized the contenders for the In-Season Challenge, with Ty Gibbs and Ty Dillon moving forward to the championship round at the upcoming Indianapolis Motor Speedway event. Both drivers had to outduel their rivals in close on-track battles for the right to compete for the $1 million prize in the TNT-sponsored initiative.
The duels were closely contested, with Gibbs gaining the upper hand against Tyler Reddick late, and Dillon progressing thanks to a well-timed pass on John Hunter Nemechek. Their performances set the stage for what promises to be a high-stakes finale for the incentive championship.
Gibbs credited his team for the advance, stating,
“Super cool today, I really appreciate my team.”
—Ty Gibbs, Driver
Dillon, reflecting on his path to the final, remarked,
“All respect to John Hunter we ran next to each other all day,’’ a thrilled Dillon said. Just so grateful to have this opportunity and this is one of the greatest things to happen in my career.”
—Ty Dillon, Driver
Looking Ahead: Indianapolis Brickyard 400
The NASCAR Cup Series now turns its attention to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400, one of the sport’s most celebrated events. Scheduled for next Sunday, the race will provide another crucial opportunity for drivers chasing playoff berths and championship points. Kyle Larson, last year’s Brickyard winner, returns as a favorite among a packed field eager to make an impact on one of racing’s biggest stages.
Denny Hamlin’s latest triumph at Dover not only strengthens his position in the 2025 Cup Series but also sets the tone for a fierce summer stretch, with every race bringing new twists to the playoff picture. As the competition heads to Indianapolis, fans and teams alike are bracing for another round of high-intensity, unpredictable racing.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Hamlin started racing full-time in the Cup Series in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing and has had a remarkable career. He has achieved 51 Cup Series victories, won the Daytona 500 three times (in 2016, 2019, and 2020), and earned millions of dollars.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is engaged to Jordan Fish. Jordan loved dancing as a child, which got her a spot performing for the Charlotte Bobcats. The team is now called the Charlotte Hornets. She met Hamlin while performing at one of the Bobcats’ games.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin’s net worth is about $65 million. This comes from his racing wins, endorsement deals, team ownership, and real estate investments. Hamlin succeeds both in racing and managing a team, consistently making good decisions on and off the track.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. Here’s how Denny Hamlin built his $65 million net worth: He earned over $100 million from NASCAR contracts and race winnings. He also has multi-million dollar endorsements with companies like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota. Additionally, he co-owns 23XI Racing, a team now worth more than $100 million.
