Denny Hamlin narrowly missed overtaking Chase Briscoe to secure the win in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, engaging in a fierce Chase Briscoe Pocono NASCAR battle during the final laps. The two drivers pushed hard as Hamlin attempted to force Briscoe into running out of fuel, highlighting the competitive intensity of the event.
Race strategy and pivotal moments shape outcome
Hamlin reflected on a key turning point when Briscoe and several others made pit stops just before a caution came out, placing them ahead on the track and complicating Hamlin’s efforts to reclaim the lead.
“It was definitely going to be really difficult,”
Hamlin said on the Prime Video broadcast.
“The key moment, the 19 (Chase Briscoe) and like three or four others pitted and then that caution came out, and it leaped them in front of us. At that point, we knew it was going to be really hard to pass those guys back on the racetrack. The team did a great job, next best in line there of our strategy. Just didn’t work out.”
Hamlin’s recent form remains strong despite near miss
Although Hamlin did not win on Sunday, he remains in excellent form, earning a second-place finish and marking his third consecutive podium appearance following a victory at Michigan earlier this month. “We’re really strong,” Hamlin stated.
“Not showing up with any weaknesses right now. I’m really proud of the effort that we’ve put forth. Love to get more wins, but still, it was a good overall solid day for us. Now, we move on to the next series of races.”
Seeking an eighth victory at Pocono
Hamlin had aimed to extend his record at Pocono with an eighth win, building on seven previous victories which stand as the NASCAR Cup Series record at the track. His mission to further cement his dominance at this venue continues to motivate his competitive spirit.
Hamlin returns after family milestone and reflects on missing Mexico City race
Hamlin returned to racing on Sunday after missing the previous event in Mexico City to welcome his son, Jameson, into the world. Watching the Mexico City race from home stirred mixed emotions for Hamlin.
“It wasn’t weird on Sunday. Friday, I had bad FOMO [Fear of Missing Out],”
he shared.
“It was, right when practice was starting my heart started racing and I was like, ‘Oh.’ I knew, my body knew, my head knew that I was missing it, and then by the time I got to Sunday I had been content with being at home for the weekend.”
He added,
“But yeah. Jameson’s doing good, mom’s doing good. So, yeah, just glad that we were able to have that opportunity to see that weekend through.”
Implications and next goals for Hamlin
Though the Chase Briscoe Pocono NASCAR battle ended just short of victory for Hamlin, his strong showing solidifies his status as a front-runner in the series. The resilience and determination he demonstrated during the race indicate that he is set to remain a formidable competitor in the upcoming events. As Hamlin moves forward, the focus will be on converting these strong performances into more wins, especially as the season progresses toward its climax.
