NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Joey Logano turned North Wilkesboro Speedway into his personal playground Sunday night, leading a race-high 323 laps and holding off Denny Hamlin to win the Window World 450 in the first NASCAR Cup Series points race at the historic venue in three decades.
The victory was Logano’s first of the 2026 season, the 38th of his Cup Series career and his second major win at North Wilkesboro following his 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race triumph. More importantly, it completed a perfect weekend for Ford after Chandler Smith’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory on Saturday.
Starting 11th after qualifying was washed out by rain, Logano methodically worked his way to the front and took control during the middle portion of the race. Once crew chief Paul Wolfe dialed in the balance of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Logano proved nearly untouchable.
“It was just a solid race car,” Logano said. “I knew in practice that the car had speed and the balance was really loose. They did a good job dialing it in overnight and putting it in position at the end of the first stage. That’s when we finally got where we needed to be and was able to just set sail up front.”
Hamlin emerged as Logano’s biggest challenger during the race’s final green-flag run, but the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran could never quite close the gap.
“You just have to compliment them on a great day and a great drive,” Hamlin said. “There were a lot of times that I felt like my car was really close to where it needed to be. It was just a smidge off.”
Hamlin’s runner-up finish still carried significance as he extended his NASCAR Cup Series points lead to more than 60 markers over Toyota teammate Tyler Reddick with five races remaining before the playoffs.
Toyota showcased its overall strength throughout the evening, placing four drivers in the top six. Behind Hamlin, Chase Briscoe finished third and Ty Gibbs came home fourth, while Bubba Wallace added a sixth-place finish.
“It was a long race,” Briscoe said. “The track gave you options. My car drove pretty good, so I had fun. If your car wasn’t driving right, it was probably a long, miserable night.”
For Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen delivered one of the night’s most impressive performances. The New Zealander led 49 laps, scored points in both stages and finished fifth, matching the best oval-track result of his Cup Series career.
“It was an awesome night for the No. 97 Wendy’s Chevrolet team,” van Gisbergen said. “It was pretty cool to get the lead. I just wasn’t good enough on the long run. But overall, I had a lot of fun.”
Van Gisbergen’s effort also marked his first top-five finish on a NASCAR short track and extended his playoff cushion to 54 points above the cut line.
Chevrolet also placed Daniel Suarez inside the top 10. Suarez battled throughout the grueling 450-lap event and finished ninth.
“It kind of reminded me a little bit like Bristol,” Suarez said. “It was a grind-type of day. The car was never perfect, but you had to get the most out of it that you could.”
Ford’s overall depth was evident throughout the final results. Brad Keselowski finished seventh after a methodical race, Todd Gilliland came home eighth and Ryan Preece completed the top 10.
Meanwhile, pole winner Ryan Blaney was forced to start from the rear after pre-race power steering adjustments. After charging forward, a speeding penalty on pit road derailed his chances, leaving him with an 11th-place finish.
“I thought we did a really good job of coming from the back,” Blaney said. “I just sped getting onto pit road on the green flag stop. That hurt our night.”
The race featured extended green-flag runs and only a handful of cautions, creating a premium on tire management, pit strategy and traffic navigation. That environment played directly into Logano’s hands.
“He maneuvered through traffic really well,” Hamlin said. “He did everything we know Joey to do.”
The victory also marked several milestone achievements for Ford and Team Penske. It was Ford’s 751st all-time Cup Series victory, Team Penske’s 110th Cup win with the manufacturer and the 400th NASCAR points-race victory for Roush Yates Engines across NASCAR’s three national series.
After a difficult first half of the season, Logano believes Sunday may represent a turning point.
“We’re not in a safe place yet,” Logano said. “But definitely a huge points day for us.”
The NASCAR Cup Series now heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400, where Ford will attempt to extend its winning streak to three consecutive races.