Denny Hamlin Just Sent a HUGE Message to the NASCAR Chase Field With Martinsville Pole

Oct 31, 2026; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin (11) after winning the pole for the NASCAR Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn ImagesDenny Hamlin just put himself in a prime position to make a run at the NASCAR Cup Series championship.The Joe Gibbs Racing driver won the pole for Sunday’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, posting a lap of 19.226 seconds to claim the top starting spot for one of the biggest races of his season. Hamlin will start alongside teammate Ty Gibbs, who qualified second, while championship leader Kyle Larson will roll off third.With only two races remaining in the Chase, Hamlin knows he needs a strong weekend if he wants to close the gap and keep his championship hopes alive.Larson currently holds a 73-point advantage over Hamlin in the standings, making Sunday’s race a massive opportunity for the No. 11 team to gain ground.Martinsville could be the perfect place for Hamlin to make his move. He’s already won six times at the historic short track, and starting from the pole gives him a major opportunity to control the race from the opening laps.However, Hamlin will need more than a strong qualifying run to make a serious championship statement. Larson has been the driver to beat throughout the Chase, and the pressure will be on Hamlin to turn this pole into a result that changes the championship picture.The good news for Hamlin is that he has put himself ahead of Larson on the starting grid. Now, he’ll have to take advantage of that position when the green flag drops.The Xfinity 500 takes place Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, with the championship battle continuing to tighten as the season approaches its finale.Can Denny Hamlin turn his Martinsville pole into a championship-changing victory, or will Kyle Larson take another step toward the title?