Do feelings really matter? Chris Gabehart, formerly the #11 crew chief and current JGR competition director, had a feeling for Denny Hamlin to bring another clock home.
That feeling was on target. Was it a confidence boost, luck of the day or a combination of all odds to make it happen? Who knows… The result for Martinsville Speedway and the Cookout 400 was a win for Denny Hamlin and the #11 Progressive Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing team.
Team mate Christopher Bell started on the pole and had a good run that left him one behind Hamlin at the checkers. The Wood Brothers and Josh Berry had a good early race but pit road contact with Wallace and the #23 created electrical issues that the #21 could not overcome.
The Wood Brothers and the Motorcraft #21 Ford up front was a good show even as the team is being celebrated at Martinsville for 75 years of racing. The track infield tunnel showcases the years that the Wood Brothers have been in, and influenced, NASCAR.
For the high half of the race, it was Denny Hamlin out in front and to the finish for the win. It was his 6th win at Martinsville and, even with previous season wins across the schedule, his first win here for 10 years. (Last Martinsville win Spring of 2015)
This was the first win for the #11 for the 2025 season. Team mate Christopher Bell drobe in second, Hamlin’s #23 with Bubba Wallace came in third, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson rounded out the top-five.
Full Photo Gallery – Cookout 400 – Martinsville Speedway – March 30, 2025
