Denny Hamlin, the all-time winningest driver at Pocono Raceway, continued his dominance at the “Tricky Triangle” by clinching the pole position for Sunday’s Great American Getaway 400. Driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin posted a blistering lap of 172.599 mph, edging out RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher by a mere 0.083 seconds. This marks Hamlin’s 44th career pole and his fifth at Pocono, tying the track record. After missing the previous race for the birth of his son, Hamlin’s return was emphatic, showcasing his affinity for the 2.5-mile tri-oval. His performance sets the stage for a potential eighth Pocono victory.
Despite a difficult practice session in which he finished 27th, Hamlin’s pole victory demonstrated his team’s capacity to make crucial corrections. Hamlin attributed his rested status following a week off to the fact that “we usually step up from practice; we make good adjustments.” The 44-year-old racer became the oldest Cup pole winner since Matt Kenseth in 2017 after welcoming his third child, Jameson Drew, on June 11. He took first place with a lap time of 52.144 seconds, while the top 10 was filled by six Toyotas, including teammates Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe. Hamlin’s seven victories and record-tying fifth pole at Pocono highlight his proficiency with the track’s distinctive three-turn layout.
Points leader William Byron lost control in Turn 2 and crashed, sending him to a backup vehicle starting in 31st place, adding excitement to the qualifying session. In a similar vein, Bubba Wallace of Hamlin’s 23XI Racing encountered difficulties when his vehicle would not start, putting him in the back. Hamlin’s impressive performance, which includes winning Stage 1 of the race, stands in stark contrast to these misfortunes. Despite starting at the top of the race, teammate Chase Briscoe outran Hamlin, who saved fuel to win his first race of 2025. After leading 32 laps and finishing in second place, Hamlin remains third in the standings, behind only Kyle Larson and Byron of Hendrick Motorsports.
Returning to Pocono was a significant personal and professional achievement for Hamlin. Hamlin maintained his composure despite missing the Mexico City race to attend the birth of their kid with his fiancée, Jordan Fish. His legacy at the circuit is cemented by his seven Pocono victories, which include a contentious triumph over Kyle Larson in 2023. However, an unauthorised tape infraction—a rare stain on his record—disqualified his 2022 victory. Hamlin is favoured for Sunday’s sold-out race, which attracted 50,000 grandstand tickets and 3,300 camping spots, showing Pocono’s rising popularity. This is due to his ability to strike a balance between family and racing as well as his team’s tactical improvements.
In order to further cement his place as the greatest of all time, Hamlin hopes to extend his Pocono record with an eighth victory. Hamlin maintains his optimism in the face of Briscoe’s formidable challenge, saying, “Every week, we’re battling for a win.” He has already won three games in 2025, including Martinsville and Michigan, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Although Hamlin and 23XI Racing are involved in a protracted antitrust case with NASCAR off the track, his dedication to racing is unshakeable. Fans expect an exciting race as Pocono continues his sellout record, with Hamlin’s pole position indicating his intention to rule the “Tricky Triangle” once more.
