Logano’s dominant performance at North Wilkesboro
Logano’s dominant performance at North Wilkesboro
Joey Logano secured his first victory of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season at North Wilkesboro Speedway, leading 323 of 450 laps. This win marks his second triumph at the 0.625-mile asphalt oval, following his All-Star Race victory in 2024. The event was the first points race held at the historic track in 30 years.
The Team Penske driver’s performance significantly improved his standing in the championship. Before the race, Logano was eight points behind the cutoff for The Chase. His victory now places him 49 points ahead, with five races remaining before the postseason field is finalized. Logano acknowledged the difficulties of the season, stating that a lack of speed had led to questioning various aspects of his team’s process and his own performance. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability at North Wilkesboro, considering it their best track.
Denny Hamlin finished second, complementing his strong season. While Hamlin aimed for a win, his runner-up position extended his lead over Tyler Reddick for the regular-season title. Hamlin, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, attempted to gain an advantage by pitting one lap earlier than Logano, hoping new tires would provide the necessary grip. However, Logano maintained his lead throughout the final stages of the race. Hamlin praised Logano’s driving, noting his impressive maneuvering through traffic.
Key contenders and notable finishes
Todd Gilliland, who finished eighth, is set to compete against Ryan Blaney in the final round of the in-season tournament at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next Sunday. The winner of this matchup will receive a $1 million prize. Gilliland advanced by winning his matchup against Chase Elliott, who finished 17th. Gilliland’s strategy of not pitting during a caution in the second stage proved beneficial, allowing him to maintain track position while others, like Elliott, fell a lap or two down due to short-pitting.
Shane van Gisbergen achieved a surprising fifth-place finish, even leading laps during the race. Known for his road-course skills, van Gisbergen adapted his technique to the short track, utilizing right-foot braking for half of the race. He noted the balanced nature of the track, which allowed his driving technique to significantly influence the car’s performance. Van Gisbergen also secured stage points in both stages.
Other notable finishes included Chase Briscoe in third, Ty Gibbs in fourth, and Bubba Wallace in sixth. Briscoe highlighted his car’s exceptional long-run performance, despite a caution in the second stage affecting his team’s strategy. Gibbs expressed frustration with his fourth-place finish, attributing some difficulty to the track’s lighting. Wallace, who secured sixth, emphasized the importance of clean races for his team and expressed confidence heading into the upcoming Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.
Looking ahead to Indianapolis
The next event for NASCAR Cup teams is the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the season’s significant races. This will be the 22nd of 26 regular-season competitions. Drivers are actively vying for positions as this race precedes an off-weekend, which is the last before a 14-race stretch concludes the season.
Brad Keselowski finished seventh, earning stage points and a top-10 result despite his car not being the fastest. He acknowledged a challenging two-month period where his team dropped significantly in points, and expressed hope that performances like this would aid their rebound. Keselowski believes short tracks and superspeedways offer the best opportunities for Ford teams to capitalize on their strengths. The upcoming race at Indianapolis will be a crucial opportunity for many drivers to improve their standing before the postseason.
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Source: foxsports.com
