At Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Denny Hamlin was involved in a tense fuel strategy battle during the race’s closing laps, ultimately falling short while his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Chase Briscoe, earned his first victory. The intense finish highlighted contrasting approaches, with Hamlin pushing hard and Briscoe conserving fuel to maintain his lead in the final laps of the event.
Early Race Dominance and Challenges in Track Position
Hamlin began the race from the pole position and dominated early by leading 32 laps and securing the Stage 1 win. However, as the race progressed into a crucial phase focusing on track position, Hamlin found himself battling the disadvantage of running in dirty air, reducing his ability to pass competitors ahead.
“When five cars pitted and then the caution came and the [No.] 19 and a bunch of guys jumped in front of us, I knew it would be really hard to give that track position back,”
Hamlin remarked.
“It was just so hard to pass, so we did all we could we were just next best in line.”
—Denny Hamlin
Turning Point: Caution and Pit Stop Impact Hamlin’s Strategy
The race took a decisive turn when a caution flag appeared shortly after Briscoe and several others made pit stops. This sequence shuffled track positions, placing Hamlin behind Briscoe and forcing him into a strategy where he had to pressure Briscoe into running out of fuel first. Despite the challenge, Hamlin acknowledged the difficulty ahead.
“It was the best option. It definitely was going to be difficult,”
Hamlin said.
“There was a key moment when the [No.] 19 and some other guys pitted and the caution came out and leaped him in front of us. At that point, we knew it was going to be really hard to pass those guys back on the racetrack.”
—Denny Hamlin
Consistent Top Finishes for Hamlin Amid the Tough Loss
Though Hamlin could not overcome the strategic challenge to claim victory, his performance extended an impressive run of consistent top finishes. This marks his third consecutive top-three result in 2025 and his sixth top-two finish in the last nine Pocono races, underscoring his continued competitiveness on this track.
“The team did a great job, next best in line there of our strategy, it just didn’t work out,”
Hamlin concluded.
Implications for Joe Gibbs Racing and Upcoming Races
Chase Briscoe’s breakthrough win at Pocono Raceway adds momentum to the Joe Gibbs Racing team early in the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Hamlin’s steady track performance keeps him a strong contender despite the recent setback. The contrasting strategies and outcomes from this fuel race finish will likely influence the team’s tactical decisions in future events as they seek to balance aggression and fuel conservation for more wins.
