Chase Elliott did everything right Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, and it paid off in a big way. The Hendrick Motorsports star outdueled Denny Hamlin in a thrilling final restart to win the Würth 400 Presented by LIQUI MOLY, securing his second NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2026 season.
Elliott didn't take the lead until Lap 152, when Corey Heim pitted for fuel on an off-cycle strategy. From there, the No. 9 Chevrolet driver took control with an iron fist, thanks in part to a pit crew that delivered its three fastest stops of the season. It was a masterclass in execution, especially considering the day spelled disaster for several established stars in the field.
The race's seventh and final caution came when Heim spun in Turn 4, setting up a four-lap shootout. Elliott got a crucial push from teammate Alex Bowman, who finished third, allowing him to clear runner-up Denny Hamlin off Turn 2 and pull away to win by 0.407 seconds.
"I wasn't really sure whether to go top or bottom," Elliott said of the final restart. "The bottom had been winning out on a lot of the restarts. I felt like if I didn't get clear off Turn 2, I was going to be in a lot of trouble. Fortunately, Alex gave me a great push. I was able to execute Turns 1 and 2, get clear, and then just kind of manage the last few laps."
The victory is Elliott's second at Texas, his second of the season, and the 23rd of his career. He joins Tyler Reddick (five wins) as a multiple winner in 2026, and he's the first repeat winner in the last 10 races at Texas. Elliott led a race-high 87 laps, while Heim managed 69 laps out front before finishing 31st.
For Hamlin, it was a case of déjà vu—he finished second to Elliott for the second time this season, following a similar result at Martinsville. "I thought I got a good restart there at the end side-by-side," Hamlin said. But Elliott's clean driving and a perfectly timed push from his teammate proved to be the difference.
In a season where consistency is king, Elliott's Texas triumph shows he's ready to contend for more than just wins—he's building momentum for a championship run.