On Sunday at Pocono Raceway, Chase Briscoe claimed his first victory driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, capitalizing on a fuel-saving strategy that outlasted teammate Denny Hamlin’s aggressive approach. The closely contested finish saw Briscoe maintain fuel while Hamlin tried to apply pressure but ultimately ran out of options, underscoring the critical role of fuel management in this race.
Hamlin’s Strong Start and Challenges with Track Position
Denny Hamlin began the day dominantly from the pole position, leading 32 laps and securing a Stage 1 win. However, as the race progressed, he found himself stuck in turbulent air, struggling to pass competitors on the track. Hamlin explained the difficulty, saying,
“When five cars pitted and then the caution came and the [No.] 19 and a bunch of guys jumped in front of us, I knew it would be really hard to give that track position back,”
and added,
“It was just so hard to pass, so we did all we could we were just next best in line.”
Critical Pit Stop and Caution Shift Track Dynamics
The race momentum shifted after Briscoe and several others pitted, followed immediately by a caution that shuffled track positions and forced Hamlin into a defensive role. This sequence pushed Hamlin to attempt running Briscoe out of fuel to regain the lead. In reflecting on the situation, Hamlin said,
“It was the best option. It definitely was going to be difficult,”
and noted,
“There was a key moment when the [No.] 19 and some other guys pitted and the caution came out and leaped him in front of us. At that point, we knew it was going to be really hard to pass those guys back on the racetrack.”
Continuing Strong Form Despite the Setback
Though Hamlin’s fuel strategy did not produce a victory this time, he has now achieved three consecutive top-three finishes in the 2025 season, adding to an impressive record of six top-two results in the past nine Pocono races. Hamlin acknowledged his team’s efforts:
“The team did a great job, next best in line there of our strategy, it just didn’t work out.”
Implications for Future Races at Pocono
The outcome demonstrated how crucial fuel tactics and timely cautions are for success at Pocono Raceway, where track position and clean air play pivotal roles. Hamlin’s experience illustrates the fine margins teams must navigate, while Briscoe’s breakthrough win positions him as a rising competitor within Joe Gibbs Racing, signaling potential for future contests as the season advances.