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Hamlin Turns Penalty Into Las Vegas Win to Reach 61 Cup Victories

The victory underscored Toyota's early-season edge, highlighted by three Joe Gibbs Racing cars in the top five.

Overview

  • He led 134 of 267 laps and secured the race on the final restart, holding off Chase Elliott by 0.502 seconds after passing polesitter Christopher Bell.
  • The event ran with only one on-track caution and featured long green-flag stretches as all 36 starters reached the checkered flag.
  • Joe Gibbs Racing placed Bell fourth and Ty Gibbs fifth behind Hamlin, as Toyota continued a strong start to 2026 with four wins in five races and a majority of laps led.
  • Hamlin’s triumph is his 61st, moving him into sole possession of 10th on the all-time Cup wins list and making him one of five drivers with victories in 20 different seasons.
  • Tyler Reddick remains the points leader after five races while Hamlin climbs to fourth in the standings, with the series heading next to Darlington.