By Judy Shields
Photos: THT Jesse Shields
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas (The Hollywood Times) 03/15/2026 – NASCAR Cup Series driver No. 11 Denny Hamlin wins the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 15, 2026. What a moment it was as his family gathered to congratulate him as his father looked on from Heaven, but we all know he was right there with Denny the whole race in spirit.
- Denny Hamlin won the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway despite a pit road speeding penalty.
- Hamlin led 134 of 267 laps and secured his third Las Vegas Cup Series win, moving to 10th on the all-time NASCAR wins list with 61 victories.
- Chase Elliott finished second, expressing disappointment but acknowledging the significant improvement of his No. 9 Chevy team.
Hamlin led the final 49 laps of the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at the 1.5-mile oval and finished 0.502 seconds ahead of Chase Elliott to earn his third career NASCAR Cup Series win in Las Vegas. Hamlin – who won the speedway’s fall race last year and in 2021 – led 134 of the 267 laps and passed Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list with 61 career victories.
An emotional Hamlin became just the fifth NASCAR Cup Series driver to win a race in 20 different seasons and earned his first checkered flag since the passing of his father, Dennis, in late December.
Pole sitter Christopher Bell wheeled his way to a Stage 1 victory after retaking the lead on Lap 71. He ran near the front most of the day before settling for a fourth-place finish. Byron won Stage 2 ahead of Kyle Larson and Bell on his way to the third-place finish, 3.414 seconds behind Hamlin.
Ty Gibbs overcame a speeding penalty of his own after Stage 1 to wheel his way to fifth place, and Josh Berry, last year’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube champion, drove to a 31st-place finish after starting 32nd.
Another beautiful day full of sunshine and plenty of wind to keep the hot away at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 400, Sunday March 15th. The Fan Zone opened at 8:00 a.m. and fans poured and those that bought tickets for the Neon Garage also made there way in through the gates. The Pace Vehicle hit the track to do some laps and track preparation took place from 9:15 – 10:15. Those that purchases the on track access opened at 10:45 and lasted until 12:45 p.m. Great experience, if you have the chance to purchase those tickets, do so.
Opening Monologue was by Jose Castillo, followed by Ade Ajala, President, Pennzoil, Mauricio Quezada, President of Jiffy Lube International and the honorary Race Officials: Ashley Farquharson, 2026 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Women’s Single, who proudly wore her Gold Medal, Zack Digregorio, 2026 Olympian, Men’s Doubles, Jonny Gustafson, 2026 Olympian, Men’s Singles, Marcus Mueller, 2026 Olympian, Men’s Doubles & Track Holder at Cortina, Ansel Haugsjaa, 2026 Olympian, Men’s Doubles & Track Holder at Cortina. Next was Backstreet Boys Band member Nick Carter and Blippi. This races’ Pace Car Driver was WWE Superstar Tiffany Stratton.
Next up at noon was the Drivers Meeting at the Neon Garage with the first to walk was Foreigner, which was cool to see them, since I’m a big fan.
Next up was the lead singer of Korn, Jonathan Davis, who was the Grand Marshal.
Then the Cup Series drivers:
Such great fun for all the NASCAR Cup Series fans to meet their favorite driver and to get their autograph on a photo or merchandise. Way cool indeed!
Here are some photos of the drivers after the driver meeting that were heading out to the pit area:
After the NASCAR Cup Series Driver Introductions at 12:30p, there was the Presentation of Colors by Nellis Air Force Honor Guard and an Invocation by Billy Mauldin, President & Senior Chaplain, Motor Racing Outreach and the National Anthem by Foreigner with the Flyover TOT by (4) A-10C’s 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base
Jonathan Davis with “Drivers, Start Your Engines” and Green Flag at 1:13 pm – NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 Presented by jiffy lube (80/165/267 Laps, 300.5 Miles).
It never gets old watching the Pace Car with all the color race cars following along to go around the track a few times before it is time that they all hit the pedal to the metal!
Here is the Starting Lineup:
Being able to walk around the inside track and from the pit area was super fun. Here are photos from the beginning of the race:
The most excitedly time for the two of us this year was to shoot some shots and videos from the grandstand side. It was so exhilarating to feel the gust of wind after all those cars went by, and not expecting to feel tire pieces and dirt hit your face…WOW. Loved it as well as my son Jesse. Here are some photos from that turn point one:
Here is some video that was shot of the very beginning of the race, some from the grandstand side facing turn 4, middle of the track, approaching turn 1 with some slow motion footage and the cars just passing through turn 1. It was a windy day and with that and the wind from the cars, it was something else being out there:
Here are some shots taken of Hamlin’s burnout and pit area after the race:
Another great NASCAR Cup Series race in the records book and it was a safe race.
One of the coolest thing that happened this NASCAR weekend was getting to reconnect with my girlfriend Margie. We went to high school and played basketball and she was in my wedding as a bridesmaid back in 1982. She is a big time NASCAR fan, who travel some of the NASCAR circuit in their beautiful home away from 43ft motorcoach. Her husband Doug is the pilot and their cute dog Daisy is the co-pilot. They were just at the race in Phoenix with 5 other couples who have beautiful motorcoaches as well. Margie lives in Idaho and loves it there. It was wonderful to see her Saturday and Sunday night for some home cooked food, especially homemade pizza on Sunday. NASCAR fans are such great people and they all treat you like you are part of the family. I will have to rent a motorhome for October!
We look forward to returning in early October for the SouthPoint 400.
South Point 400 – Sunday, October 4, 2026, NASCAR Cup Series
See all of your favorite drivers during the 2026 Fall NASCAR Playoffs Weekend in fabulous Las Vegas, Oct. 3–4! The weekend features the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Sunday and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series playoff race on Saturday.
