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Chase Elliott Claims Dramatic Texas Victory in Würth 400, Extending 2026 NASCAR Dominance
FORT WORTH, Texas — Chase Elliott secured his second NASCAR Cup Series victory of 2026 with a thrilling, late-race sprint to the finish at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 3. The 2020 champion held off a fierce challenge from Denny Hamlin in the final four laps of the Würth 400, marking his 23rd career win and a pivotal moment in his early-season momentum.
Elliott, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, led a race-high 87 laps and capitalized on a critical push from teammate Alex Bowman on the final restart. The victory also made Elliott the second driver—alongside Tyler Reddick—with multiple wins in the 2026 season, a rare feat in a competitive field.
“I just felt like, if I didn’t get clear off of Turn 2, I was going to be in a lot of trouble,” Elliott said after the race. “Fortunately, Alex gave me a great push. I was able to execute Turns 1 and 2, get clear and then just manage the last few laps.” The margin of victory was razor-thin: 0.407 seconds over Hamlin, who finished second.
The Race That Defined Texas Motor Speedway
The Würth 400, contested over 267 laps on the 1.5-mile intermediate oval, was marked by multiple cautions and strategic maneuvering. Elliott, who started 14th, took the lead early and held it for the majority of the race. His victory was particularly significant, as it snapped a 42-race winless drought at Texas—a track where he had struggled in recent years.
Denny Hamlin, who had led the series standings before the race, lamented the late push Elliott received from Bowman. “It was just enough to slow my momentum and pick his momentum up,” Hamlin said. “Good, decent day, just one spot short.”
Alex Bowman, who started the race on the pole in 2025, finished third after a late-race spin brought out a caution. Tyler Reddick, who has dominated early in the season with five wins, placed fourth. Chris Buescher, a local hero from Prosper, Texas, secured his first top-10 finish at the track in 17 attempts.
Key Moments and Late-Race Drama
The race saw multiple near-misses and crashes, including a dramatic moment when Joey Logano’s car was damaged in pit road after contact with Cole Custer. Logano, who won at Texas last year, now faces a winless streak of 36 races.
Christopher Bell, an Oklahoma native who races out of Texas, suffered significant damage after being clipped by Todd Gilliland on lap 69. Bell finished last in the 38-car field after slamming into the outside wall.
Carson Hocevar, who won the pole for the second consecutive year, finished seventh. The 23-year-old driver, who had previously won at Talladega, also claimed victory in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Texas on Friday night.
What This Means for Elliott’s 2026 Season
Elliott’s victory at Texas Motor Speedway—one of the most prestigious tracks in NASCAR—reinforces his status as a driver who thrives under pressure. With two wins in the first 11 races of the season, Elliott is on pace for a historic year, joining Tyler Reddick as the only drivers with multiple victories in 2026.
As Elliott continues to build on his early-season success, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if he can maintain this momentum in the coming weeks. The next race on the schedule is the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway, where Elliott will seem to add to his growing list of wins.
Key Takeaways from the Würth 400
- Chase Elliott’s 23rd career win and his second victory of 2026.
- Elliott led 87 laps, the most of any driver in the race.
- Denny Hamlin finished second, just 0.407 seconds behind Elliott.
- Alex Bowman provided the critical push on the final restart.
- Christopher Bell suffered significant damage and finished last.
- Carson Hocevar, the polesitter, finished seventh.
For updates on Chase Elliott’s next race and the full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, visit the official NASCAR website.
What do you think of Elliott’s victory? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media using #Würth400 and #NASCAR2026.
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