We now know our first of four drivers who will make up the Championship 4, and it's Denny Hamlin. The veteran driver hadn't made it to the finals since 2021, failing to advance beyond the Round of 8 in every year of the Next Gen era ... until now.
Hendrick Motorsports dominated the race, but pit road miscues, a wild wreck, and a late-race restart were enough to deny them an automatic ticket into the championship race. Penske is also looking at the next two races as if they need a win in order to have a shot at a fourth consecutive Cup Series title.
