TC Daily Pit Stop: Chase Elliott, Justin Allgaier Claim Wins at Martinsville; Harvick Added to HOF Ballot
TC Daily Pit Stop: Monday, March 30, 2026
Chase Elliott Dethrones Denny Hamlin From Cook Out 400 Martinsville Dominance
Denny Hamlin had everybody’s number in Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway, but with an amazing strategy call (which should probably result in a raise), Alan Gustafson made sure that Chase Elliott was the driver to break Hendrick Motorsports’ losing streak.
The Dawsonville, Georgia-native had been a top-10 contender throughout much of the afternoon at the iconic half-mile paperclip, but was nowhere near the raw speed or capabilities of Hamlin, who led a race-high 292 laps.
However, it was a conscious decision by Gustafson, a veteran NASCAR Cup Series crew chief, to split the stage into three equal pieces that gave Elliott a chance to fight for the victory, pitting at Lap 261 and being the beneficiary of a caution for debris at Lap 312.
That, coupled with a tough restart for Hamlin trying to maneuver his way around Ross Chastain, who had stayed on the racetrack with 22-lap-old tires, cost the Joe Gibbs Racing driver the lead at the start of the race’s final run, a position he was never able to regain.
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RACE RESULTS
Kevin Harvick Among New Nominees to NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027
Prior to Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR officially named the 15 nominees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027, as well as the five nominees for the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.
2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, who currently serves as an analyst for FOX Sports’ coverage of NASCAR’s highest level, is the most notable addition to the Modern Era Ballot, in what is his first year of eligibility post-retirement.
A 60-time race-winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, Harvick retired from full-time competition after the 2023 campaign. The Bakersfield, California-native is also a champion in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and began his career as the replacement for the late Dale Earnhardt, after his passing in a last-lap accident at Daytona in 2001.
Joining Harvick as newcomers to the Modern Era Ballot are six-time ARCA Menards Series West champion Ray Elder and 1988 NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning crew chief Ernie Elliott.
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Justin Allgaier Continues Hot Start to 2026 With Chaotic Martinsville Win
Justin Allgaier, one of the oldest full-time drivers in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, continues to take it to the youth and up-and-coming talent in NASCAR’s second-tier division, putting on another commanding performance in Saturday’s NFPA 250 at Martinsville Speedway.
The Riverton, Illinois-native succeeded in holding off Corey Day and Sammy Smith on a late-race restart to capture his third victory of the season, already matching his win total from last year in the opening seven races of 2026.
Allgaier, driving the No. 7 BRANDT Fresh Agriculture Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports, started from the pole position in Saturday’s event, after qualifying was axed Friday evening due to inclement weather. With track position on his side, the 39-year-old dominated the first stage.
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RACE RESULTS
OTHER NASCAR HEADLINES:
3 Best Surprises to Start the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Campaign
Advance Auto Parts Returns For Four-Race Sponsorship of Blaney in 2026
Jake Finch Joins JR Motorsports For Five-Race O’Reilly Series Schedule in 2026
Cindric Looks to Carry Momentum Of Darlington Finish Into Martinsville
Can Martinsville Spark Cup Series Season For Hendrick And Chevrolet?
Brad Keselowski Making 600th Cup Series Start at Martinsville
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