AUSTIN — Denny Hamlin secured his first top-10 finish at Circuit of the Americas after years of modest results, making the 10th-place spot feel like a victory. The outcome came during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series event at COTA, a track that has historically challenged Hamlin’s performance.
Previously, Hamlin had never finished better than 14th at COTA and posted a low of 21st in last year’s race. Despite solid starting positions in the past, including two eighth-place starts and an 11th, his race performance often fell short; this year, he began 19th and moved up only slightly during the early portion of the race.
Strategic Pit Decision Sparks Late-Race Charge
With 21 laps remaining, a caution halted the race after Ross Chastain lost a wheel. Hamlin and crew chief Chris Gayle decided to take a risk by staying out while many competitors pitted, restarting in eighth place alongside six other drivers who remained on track. This bold choice quickly paid off.
Hamlin maneuvered through a restart filled with turmoil, narrowly avoiding incidents caused by Connor Zilisch and Zane Smith spinning ahead. His agility allowed him to climb near the top five, although several drivers—Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and AJ Allmendinger—eventually passed him. Hamlin’s persistence ensured he held onto 10th place, marking his first career Cup top-10 finish at COTA.
First mistake-free road course for me in six years. It’s freaking amazing. It’s like a win. I’m telling you, this is a win,
Hamlin said.
Current Season Standing and Future Challenges
This 10th-place finish stands as Hamlin’s best result in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season so far. His earlier efforts included a 31st place at the Daytona 500 due to a late crash and a 13th place at EchoPark Speedway Atlanta, also affected by a late-race incident. Hamlin is currently 23rd in the points standings, trailing the cutoff for the NASCAR Cup Series Chase by eight points.
Looking ahead, Hamlin and the Cup Series competitors will head to Phoenix Raceway, a track linked to one of the most painful moments of his recent career. Last fall at Phoenix, Hamlin dominated much of the championship race by leading 208 of 312 laps but lost the title after a late caution for William Byron triggered an overtime finish, ultimately finishing sixth. Kyle Larson, who didn’t lead any laps in that race, captured the championship.
Despite the heartbreak of the Phoenix finale and the personal tragedy of losing his father during the offseason, Hamlin has returned with renewed focus. He aims to secure his third NASCAR Cup victory at Phoenix as he moves forward in this challenging season.
