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Denny Hamlin Wins All-Star Race, $1 M, Second-Oldest Champion

5/18/2026

46 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Denny Hamlin, 45, won the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, earned $1 million and became the second-oldest winner after Mark Martin.
He started from pole after a qualifying spin and led the final 30 laps, totaling 103 of the 200 laps.
Eight cautions slowed the race, eliminated Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain, and a Lap 2 crash by Ryan Preece hit Todd Gilliland, igniting flames, prompting Preece’s apology.

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Story summary

Denny Hamlin, 45, won the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, earned $1 million and became the second-oldest winner after Mark Martin.
He started from pole after a qualifying spin and led the final 30 laps, totaling 103 of the 200 laps.
Eight cautions slowed the race, eliminated Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain, and a Lap 2 crash by Ryan Preece hit Todd Gilliland, igniting flames, prompting Preece’s apology.