During the NASCAR Cup Series’ Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway, Ty Gibbs had a heated moment with Tyler Reddick on Lap 298. Reddick got into the back of Gibbs, causing him to spin out after Gibbs got too wide in a corner. Gibbs expressed his frustration over the radio, saying he wanted to be kept away from Reddick after the race. However, cooler heads prevailed as the two drivers had a chat after the incident. In the end, Denny Hamlin emerged as the winner of the race, leading 274 of the 400 laps and earning 53 points. This was Hamlin’s first win of the 2025 season, and his first win at Martinsville in 10 years. After the race, Hamlin credited his team’s hard work for their success and praised their ability to control the race and maintain their lead.
The NASCAR XFINITY Series race ended in controversy with a final-lap wreck, described as ‘absolute garbage.’ Hamlin reflected on the early 2010s when he felt his team was better than anyone else, making it easier for him to perform. However, in recent years, he had been frustrated as the next-best at Martinsville, never quite achieving the level of control and speed needed to lead the race. This time, Hamlin felt they had finally found that ‘it’ factor, allowing them to dominate the race and secure the win. The top five finishers included Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Ross Chastain, with Hamlin taking the top spot. The rest of the top 10 were filled out by Ryan Preece, Joey Logano, Chase Briscoe, and Todd Gilliland.
Despite the incident with Reddick, Gibbs finished in 13th place, with Reddick close behind in 14th. After the race, both drivers had a chance to cool off and discuss the incident, allowing tensions to ease. Hamlin’s win marked a turning point for his team, providing a sense of accomplishment after years of coming up short at Martinsville. The victory was a product of the team’s hard work and ability to control the race, showcasing their determination to succeed on the track. As the season progresses, Hamlin and his team will look to build on this success and continue their winning streak to clinch more victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.
