Denny Hamlin Wins Thriller at Dover: NASCAR Cup Series Standings and Playoff Picture Shift
Denny Hamlin proved once again why he’s one of the most clutch drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, capturing his 58th career win—and fourth of the 2025 season—at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday. The dramatic victory came in double overtime after a rain delay, intense restarts, and fierce tire strategy battles, with Hamlin ultimately fending off teammate Chase Briscoe for the checkered flag.
Hamlin’s performance was a textbook display of veteran poise and racing intelligence. After leading 67 laps, he held strong on older tires against several competitors who pitted for fresh rubber during a late red flag stoppage caused by rain with 15 laps to go. On the final restart, Briscoe, armed with newer tires, lined up beside Hamlin but couldn’t get past him. Hamlin cleared him coming to the white flag and never looked back.
With this win, Hamlin not only secures his third career victory at Dover, also known as the “Monster Mile,” but he now leads the series in wins this season and holds the most playoff points at 24—edging out Kyle Larson, who sits at 23. These points are vital in the NASCAR playoff structure, setting Hamlin up as a true title contender as the season moves closer to its decisive stretch.
The top five at Dover were Hamlin, Briscoe, Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson, and Ty Gibbs. Chase Elliott, who appeared to be the driver to beat for most of the day, led a race-high 238 laps. However, a bold two-tire call with 61 laps to go proved costly. While Hamlin chose to stay out and others went for four fresh tires, Elliott got shuffled back in the closing stages and couldn’t recover during the final restarts, ultimately finishing sixth.
Rounding out the top ten were Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, and Brad Keselowski—each putting in solid performances to stay competitive in the playoff hunt.
With the regular season ticking down, every point and every decision matters. Hamlin’s triumph at Dover not only solidified his status as a frontrunner but also reshaped the playoff picture. The win provides him with valuable momentum and underscores just how critical strategic calls are in NASCAR’s ever-evolving playoff race.
Fans and teams alike now shift focus to the next race, but the aftershocks of Dover—especially for playoff contenders—are sure to linger. As the postseason inches closer, one thing is certain: Denny Hamlin is peaking at just the right time.