Denny Hamlin added another chapter to his Dover dominance on a rainy afternoon in Delaware, but did the race itself live up to fan expectations? That’s the question Jeff Gluck posed to fans in his weekly “Was it a good race?” Twitter/X poll after the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400. And for the second week in a row, fans were divided.
A Race Split by Weather and Opinions
Hamlin’s 58th career Cup Series win came in dramatic fashion—surviving late-race chaos and pressure from Briscoe in overtime. But the story for many fans wasn’t just about the result.
“The rain kinda ruined the finish. The long green run to the end was really, really good.” – A NASCAR FAN
Others pointed to how the weather delay and the timing of cautions disrupted what had been shaping up as a tactical battle. Still, the double-overtime finish offered a final spark, with Hamlin holding off Briscoe despite being on older tires.
Briscoe, who has made rapid strides since joining Joe Gibbs Racing, raced his teammate cleanly even with a chance to steal the win. His runner-up finish drew praise, but it was Hamlin who stole the headlines—and, for some fans, that tilted the scales the wrong way.
“To many, Denny winning makes a race automatically worse regardless of how good the on-track product was.” – A NASCAR FAN
Familiar Frustrations and Measured Praise
Dover Motor Speedway has always had a reputation: tough on equipment, intense on restarts, and a challenge for passing during long green runs. That reputation held up in Sunday’s race.
“It wasn’t good, it wasn’t bad, it was typical Dover.” – A NASCAR FAN
Still, there were pockets of appreciation for the race’s structure and storyline. Fans highlighted the long green flag run before the rain, strong strategy battles, and the hard but respectful racing between Hamlin and Briscoe.
Some even compared it favorably to other short or intermediate tracks.
“North Wilkesboro was good, same with Richmond Fall last year. The Martinsville cut-off races have also not been bad.” – A NASCAR FAN
Yet the overall reaction leaned slightly positive, with 55.3% voting “Yes” on Gluck’s poll. That modest majority reflects a race that offered plenty of substance—especially in terms of playoff implications—but didn’t deliver universal satisfaction.
Final Laps Define the Feel
Sunday’s finish had all the ingredients for a memorable ending: strategy gambles, overtime restarts, and teammates battling for the win. But a late caution and weather disruption disrupted the rhythm and left some fans wanting more.
“I saw someone call this ‘one of the top 5 worst NASCAR races of all time.’ Like, huh? I’m not saying it’s great or even good, but c’mon now lol.” – A NASCAR FAN
Hamlin’s victory pushed him to four wins on the season, tied for the most in 2025, and helped tighten the battle for the regular season points lead. But for some fans, the result felt too familiar—Hamlin in clean air, controlling the end, while storylines like Chase Elliott’s dominant-but-doomed day fell just short of emotional payoff.
News in Brief: 2025 Dover Fan Poll Results
The 2025 Dover race delivered drama, strategy, and a double-overtime finish, but left fans split on its overall quality. Denny Hamlin’s fourth win of the season sparked both celebration and fatigue, while Chase Briscoe’s clean runner-up run earned respect. Weather delays disrupted momentum, and mixed opinions in Jeff Gluck’s poll showed how unpredictable fan sentiment can be. Dover’s legacy of tough racing held firm, though some questioned the race’s excitement. Ultimately, 55.3% voted “Yes,” reflecting cautious approval.
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