Denny Hamlin secured his third consecutive victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, moving past the late Kyle Busch to claim sole possession of ninth place on the all-time wins list. At 45, Hamlin, the oldest full-time driver in the series, now holds 64 career wins, marking the first time in his career that he has won three races in a row. This latest triumph was his fourth victory of the 2026 season, not including the non-points All-Star race.

Hamlin’s win at Pocono comes nearly 20 years after his first career victory at the same track in June 2006, a venue he described as “like a second home.” He credited his Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team and a flawless pit crew for their current success, stating that the team consistently provides him with exactly what he needs to compete at a high level. Despite renewed speculation about extending his career, Hamlin maintained his intention to retire after the 2027 season when his contract with JGR expires.

Passing Kyle Busch—a former teammate who died unexpectedly last month at age 41 from sepsis—on the wins list was a significant moment for Hamlin. While he paid tribute to Busch when tying him last week, Hamlin chose to focus solely on the race victory and celebrations this time.

The win further solidifies Hamlin’s standing among NASCAR’s elite, as his three-race winning streak ties him with legends Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, and Darrell Waltrip, all members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Tyler Reddick, who drives for 23XI Racing—a team co-owned by Hamlin and Michael Jordan—finished second, giving Toyota a one-two finish at the event. Reddick acknowledged the intense competition, noting challenges with track position and some racing misfortune but expressed satisfaction with his result. William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports finished third, marking a strong showing for Chevrolet in the mix. Toyota drivers occupied four of the top six spots, reflecting the manufacturer’s strong performance this season.

Christopher Bell raced despite a broken wrist sustained in a severe crash last weekend at Michigan, leading 18 laps late in the race due to strategy before fading to 26th. Bell noted the difficulties of racing with his injury, particularly at upcoming road and street courses where shifting is vital.

In preparation for inclement weather predicted later in the day, NASCAR moved the race start up by two hours, allowing the 400-mile event to be completed without interruption.

Looking ahead, NASCAR will visit San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado for the first-ever street race on an active military base. The event will feature races over three days and coincide with the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, marking only the second street course in NASCAR’s modern era.

Separately, in Formula One, Lewis Hamilton ended a two-year winless streak with a victory for Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion capitalized on fresher tires and a strong pit stop strategy to overtake George Russell’s pole position late in the race. Meanwhile, endurance racing saw Toyota claim its sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the No. 7 car of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, and Nyck de Vries overcoming a tough start to win following a late safety car period.

The motorsports community also marked the passing of Dennis Reinbold, a longtime Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar team owner, who died Saturday at age 65 surrounded by family.