Denny Hamlin hunts for momentum at the tricky triangle

Denny Hamlin is on a tear, and frankly, it is a sight to behold. Fresh off securing his 51st career pole this Saturday, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is now hunting for his third straight win in the NASCAR Cup Series. While Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing has held the spotlight for much of the 2026 season, Hamlin is clearly turning up the heat as we head into the Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.

Now, all eyes turn to the "Tricky Triangle." Chris Buescher starts sixth in the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford, showing real signs of life after a ninth-place run at Michigan. Then there is John Hunter Nemechek, starting eighth in his Toyota, who looks to improve on his 28th-place standing by channeling the momentum Legacy Motor Club found with teammate Erik Jones last week.

Finally, we have William Byron. The No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports pilot is desperate to find consistency before The Chase begins. Despite a rough stretch of form, his speed during practice—topping the 15- and 20-lap averages—suggests he could be a factor when he takes the green flag from ninth on Sunday.