Hey race fans, Bryan here—back with a breakdown of yesterday’s action-packed Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway.
If you missed the race or just want to relive the highlights, buckle up as we dive into the key moments, standout performances, and what this means for the season ahead.
Let’s get into this week’s race recap…
Hamlin's Homecoming Victory
Denny Hamlin didn’t just win the Cook Out 400—he reminded everyone why Martinsville Speedway is still his house. After a 10-year dry spell at The Paperclip, Hamlin finally added a sixth grandfather clock to his trophy room in what can only be described as a vintage Hamlin performance. Leading 274 of 400 laps, he absolutely dominated from start to finish and looked in total control through every long green-flag run, restart, and pit cycle.
His No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was dialed in all day, and his crew executed flawlessly on pit road, giving him track position when it mattered most.
And let’s be real: when Hamlin’s got clean air at Martinsville and a car that turns like that in the corners? Good luck catching him.
This was a statement win—not just for the 2025 season, but for Hamlin’s legacy. It also marked his 52nd career Cup Series win, pushing him even higher among the sport’s all-time greats. For those of us in the fantasy world who trusted the veteran this week, it was also a major points payday.
And as Hamlin said post-race, “It just feels good to win here again. We had the car, we had the crew, and it all came together.” Sometimes, history just has a way of repeating itself—in the best way possible.
Top Finishers at Martinsville: Full Breakdown of the Top 12
This week’s Cook Out 400 at Martinsville was everything short-track racing should be—tight, aggressive, and full of storylines. From veterans dominating to surprise top 10s, here’s my deep-dive breakdown of how the top 12 finished and what it means for your fantasy roster and the season ahead.
1st – Denny Hamlin (#11 Toyota – Joe Gibbs Racing)
Led: 274 laps
Fantasy Gold: Absolutely dominated from start to finish.
This was Denny’s sixth win at Martinsville—and honestly, it might be one of his most impressive. After a 10-year dry spell at The Paperclip, he came back like a man on a mission. Everything clicked: car setup, pit stops, strategy. He controlled the tempo of the race, especially in that long green-flag stretch at the end. If you had him in your lineup this week (like I wish I did), you’re swimming in fantasy points.
2nd – Christopher Bell (#20 Toyota – Joe Gibbs Racing)
Started: Pole
Fantasy Vibes: Consistent as ever.
Bell is quietly stacking one of the most reliable seasons out there. Starting on the pole gave him early control, and while he didn’t have the long-run speed Hamlin did, he never dropped off. If you’re like me and value drivers who don’t throw away track position, Bell’s your guy. Another rock-solid fantasy week from the #20 camp.
3rd – Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota – 23XI Racing)
Best Martinsville Finish Ever: Yup!
Fantasy Surprise: A steal this week.
Okay, Bubba fans—take a bow. This was one of his best Cup races, period. He didn’t back into this result—he earned it. Clean racing, excellent restarts, and he managed to keep his nose out of the late-race carnage. If you picked him as a dark horse, pat yourself on the back. I see you.
4th – Chase Elliott (#9 Chevrolet – Hendrick Motorsports)
The Quiet Contender: Flying under the radar.
Fantasy Edge: Reliable week in and week out.
Chase had one of those races where you look up with 50 laps to go and think, “Wait—when did he get up to 4th?” Classic Elliott. He just runs clean laps, avoids the drama, and cashes in. Still looking for that first win of the season, but you can’t argue with his top-five consistency. He’s one of my set-it-and-forget-it fantasy guys.
5th – Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet – Hendrick Motorsports)
Short-Track Strides: Improving every time.
Fantasy Risk Level: Medium—but this week, it paid off.
Larson’s come a long way at Martinsville. A few years back, this place ate him alive. Now? He’s learned how to balance his aggression and tire management. Not flashy, but a strong, mature run. He’s getting more dangerous at the tracks that used to be his weakness. Look out.
6th – Ross Chastain (#1 Chevrolet – Trackhouse Racing)
The Watermelon Tamed: And still cracked the top 10.
Fantasy Call: High risk, high reward.
I’ll admit—I was nervous putting Ross in any fantasy lineup this week. Martinsville and Chastain have a history. But credit where it’s due: he kept it clean, stayed patient, and pulled off a great finish. If he’s truly found that balance between aggression and discipline, we might be entering a whole new chapter of Ross’s story.
7th – Ryan Preece (#60 Ford – RFK Racing)
Short Track Guy: Lives for tracks like this.
Fantasy Takeaway: Strong value play.
Preece is one of those drivers I root for. He’s got serious talent on short tracks and finally had a clean race to show it. He finished seventh, but had the car for more—just couldn’t break through the top 5 late. If you took a flyer on him, you’re loving that decision right now.
8th – Joey Logano (#22 Ford – Team Penske)
Stage 1 Winner: Looked strong early.
Fantasy Factor: Solid, but faded late.
Joey came out swinging and grabbed Stage 1, which helped fantasy-wise, but the long green flag run didn’t go his way. Still, he hung in there and brought it home eighth. Not a bad day at all, but you expect more from the 22 team at a place like Martinsville.
9th – Chase Briscoe (#19 Toyota – Joe Gibbs Racing)
Learning Fast: Settling in with JGR.
Fantasy Outlook: Trending upward.
Now that Briscoe’s in top-tier equipment, we’re starting to see what he can really do. This ninth-place finish is solid, especially at a tough track like Martinsville. As he builds confidence with his new team, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him knocking on the door of a win soon.
10th – Todd Gilliland (#34 Ford – Front Row Motorsports)
Underdog Alert: Big points day for the 34 team.
Fantasy Bonus: Super low ownership, super nice result.
If you had Todd G in your lineup, you either had insider info or you’re a Front Row Motorsports diehard. Either way—respect. He ran a smart race, stayed out of trouble, and came away with a top 10. This guy keeps impressing in the mid-pack battles.
11th – Ryan Blaney (#12 Ford – Team Penske)
Past Winner: Just didn’t have it this time.
Fantasy Feel: Slight letdown.
Blaney was my pre-race favorite (he won here in the fall!), but he just didn’t have the same speed this week. Still, P11 isn’t awful—it’s just a bit of a bummer when you expected him to be contending for the win. Chalk it up to Martinsville being unpredictable as always.
12th – Michael McDowell (#71 Chevrolet – Spire Motorsports)
Another Quiet Top 15: Mr. Consistent strikes again.
Fantasy Take: Safe depth piece.
McDowell might not be flashy, but you know what he is? Consistent. He keeps popping up just inside or outside the top 10, and if you’re in a deep league, that’s gold. A clean run, no drama, and a solid points day. Gotta respect it.
Key Race Moments: Bumpers, Battles & Bold Moves at The Paperclip
From the drop of the green flag, it was clear that Hamlin had brought a rocket ship to the track.
After watching teammate Christopher Bell take the pole, Hamlin wasted no time working his way to the front. Once he got there, he owned the race—leading a mind-blowing 274 laps, often stretching out a lead like he was out for a Sunday cruise.
That kind of dominance on a track where things can change in a heartbeat? Seriously impressive.
Stage Battles That Set the Tone
Stage 1 Winner: Joey Logano
Logano jumped out front early and grabbed the Stage 1 win—snagging those all-important stage points and reminding us all that Team Penske is always a threat on short tracks.Stage 2 Winner: Denny Hamlin
No surprise here—Hamlin’s pace in the middle stage was unstoppable. Once he took control, there was very little anyone else could do.
These stage wins set up a showdown between aggressive Penske power and JGR precision—and in the end, the Toyota camp came out on top.
Pit Road Precision & Pressure
Martinsville’s tight pit lane is always a challenge, and this race was no exception. Hamlin’s crew deserves a standing ovation—they were lights out all day. Every stop was smooth, fast, and mistake-free. Compare that to a few other teams who overshot their stalls, picked up penalties, or just got beat out off pit road, and it was clear: Hamlin had the best team in the garage on Sunday.
Cautions and Contact—It Is Martinsville, After All
We didn’t see the Big One, but there were plenty of moments that shook things up:
A couple of minor spins in the back of the pack kept things spicy.
Tight racing in the mid-field meant bent fenders, brake rotors glowing red, and more than a few “excuse me” bumps going into Turn 3.
A few drivers who looked good early (cough Austin Cindric cough) faded or ran into issues and never fully recovered.
It was the kind of race where surviving was half the battle—and clean air up front was worth its weight in gold.
Points Standings Update: Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling & What It Means for Fantasy
With Martinsville in the books, the Cup Series standings saw a bit of a shake-up—some big movers, some quiet slides, and one guy who just keeps stacking top finishes like it’s his job (because, well… it is). Here’s a look at the Top 12 after Race #7 of the 2025 season, and how I see things heading into next week:
| Rank | Driver (Car #) | Points | Behind Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Byron (#24) | 259 | — |
| 2 | Kyle Larson (#5) | 243 | -16 |
| 3 | Chase Elliott (#9) | 227 | -32 |
| 4 | Christopher Bell (#20) | 224 | -35 |
| 5 | Alex Bowman (#48) | 224 | -35 |
| 6 | Denny Hamlin (#11) | 218 | -41 |
| 7 | Tyler Reddick (#45) | 213 | -46 |
| 8 | Bubba Wallace (#23) | 208 | -51 |
| 9 | Joey Logano (#22) | 199 | -60 |
| 10 | Ryan Blaney (#12) | 193 | -66 |
| 11 | Chris Buescher (#17) | 177 | -82 |
| 12 | Chase Briscoe (#14) | 169 | -90 |
Final Thoughts: Wrapping Up Martinsville & Gearing Up for Darlington
Well folks, that puts a bow on the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville—a race full of classic short-track chaos, a dominant performance by Denny Hamlin, and some big shakeups in the points standings. Whether your fantasy picks cashed in or crashed out, there’s no denying that this season is heating up.
But don’t go too far—I’ll be back later this week to break down the Top 12 drivers heading into next weekend’s race at Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400. We’ll dive into who’s hot, who’s not, and who’s got a shot at taming the track “Too Tough to Tame.”
And of course, I’ll follow that up with my weekly fantasy picks blog post, giving you the best shot at stacking points in your NASCAR pool. Until then, keep it clean in the corners and fast on the straights—catch you later this week!
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