Hamlin wins Goodyear 400 thanks to final restart at Darlington

Denny Hamlin capitalized on a perfectly executed final pit stop by his Joe Gibbs Racing team to take the checkered flag in the Goodyear 400 this Sunday at Darlington, South Carolina.

The driver of the No. 11 Toyota assumed the lead during the final caution period when all frontrunners pitted for service. With fresh tires and the preferred starting position, the 44-year-old controlled the overtime restart to hold off William Byron, who had dominated much of the event.

There are two people I really love right now: my pit crew and Kyle Larson. I had a little help, so thank you.

A Tribute to Those Working Behind the Scenes

When asked if he ever doubted victory after exiting pit road first, Hamlin emphatically credited his pit crew.

"The pit crew did an extraordinary job. They won last week and won again this week. It's all about them," said the Virginian. "Thanks to Sport Clips. They have great ties here in Darlington, South Carolina. Shoutout to Gordon and the entire team."

When questioned about doing a celebratory backflip, Hamlin joked: "Hard pass. If Carl's here, he can jump off the car anytime," referencing former competitor Carl Edwards, known for his post-win acrobatics.

This win marks Hamlin's 56th career victory, surpassing Rusty Wallace on the all-time series list, and represents his first back-to-back wins streak since 2012.

Byron: From Dominance to Settling for Second

For William Byron, who started from the pole position, the outcome proved difficult to swallow. The Chevrolet driver controlled the race, leading 243 consecutive laps and sweeping both stage wins.

"I'm incredibly proud of my team for bringing this level of preparation and execution. It seemed like we were headed for a perfect race maintaining the lead every lap," said the 2025 Daytona 500 champion.

"These results sting, especially today, but there are many positives to take away," added Byron, who maintains the points lead with a 49-point advantage over Hamlin.

A Finish That Changed Fortunes for Several Contenders

Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, finished fifth. The Team Penske driver had taken command just before the final caution for Kyle Larson's spin.

"I thought we had the race won," admitted Blaney. "Really wanted this one bad. Would've been special. Proud of the effort and we'll keep digging."

Christopher Bell charged from 20th starting position to finish third, while Tyler Reddick, who led for 42 laps, placed fourth in his 23XI Racing Toyota co-owned by Hamlin and basketball legend Michael Jordan.

Updated Championship Standings

Byron's runner-up finish preserves his points lead, now 49 markers ahead of Hamlin and 52 over Bell. Chase Elliott finished eighth, ranking fourth 59 points behind the leader.

The race proved challenging for other Hendrick Motorsports teammates. Larson, who fell to sixth in standings, finished 37th, while Alex Bowman (now 10th in points) came home 35th.

Next weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series moves to Bristol, Tennessee for the Food City 500, where Hamlin will attempt to extend his winning streak.

Final Results - 2025 Goodyear 400