Sunday marked the first time Hamlin has won three-straight Cup Series events, joining Fred Lorezen, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip as drivers to win three consecutive races from pole. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led 28 laps en route to his fourth win of 2026 and his eighth at Pocono.

“Ninth,” Hamlin said while smiling during his post-race media availability. 

It was also Hamlin’s eighth official victory at Pocono. Hamlin crossed the finish line first in 2022, but was disqualified after post-race tech due to unapproved tape added over each corner of the front fascias of the wheel openings.

“It’s a good thing we don’t race here twice a year anymore,” Hamlin said. “I wish we did.” 

The 64-time Cup Series winner averaged a Pocono average finish of 1 1/2 over the past four years. 

Hamlin finally started on pole after falling to the rear in the previous two races. First, for jumping the start at Nashville, and again at Michigan, for unapproved adjustments during repairs.

“We were not going to be able to come from the back this week,” Hamlin said. “This racetrack is really narrow as far as the groove. It’s just not going to be possible.”

Hamlin and his 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick have now each won three in a row this season. After Saturday's practice and qualifying, Hamlin believed Reddick had the pace to win.

“I call those guys practice Jesuses,” Hamlin said jokingly. “I thought that they had the car.”

Reddick finished second after leading 24 laps. Crew chief Billy Scott called Reddick into the pits 13 laps later than Hamlin, hoping fresh Goodyear rubber would pay dividends.

“It almost worked,” Reddick said. “When you go that long, it all kind of falls to how you catch cars.”

Reddick radioed concerns of a tire going to the team before Casey Mears lost a wheel on lap 105. 

The No. 45 crew kept Reddick out, but he lost position on Hamlin and third-place William Byron.

“Have to figure that one out,” Reddick said. “In a super critical moment, we needed to maintain on the restart, and we had a terrible one. That put us behind those guys, and that was it.”

Hamlin sliced into Reddick’s series points lead, moving from 129 points behind Watkins Glen to just 19 back from Reddick in the span of four weeks.

“We weren’t able to get safe points,” Reddick said. “I know we finished second. Scoring the points we did just didn’t get the job done.”

Looking ahead to next weekend’s race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, Reddick is among the favorites to gain back the advantage. The four-time road course winner finished second and third in his last two Chicago street races.

As for Hamlin, he hinted at retirement following the 2027 season during Prime Sports' post-race coverage at Michigan. 

Hamlin may very well have one more chance to win again at Pocono. He could join Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, David Pearson, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Sr. as drivers to score nine or more wins at a single speedway.

“To win it my first year and win it in my last year,” Hamlin said. “That would be pretty cool.”