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By Ethan Carter — 20 July 2026 — 3 min read

Logano’s Dominant Performance

Joey Logano claimed victory in the Window World 450 NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19. Logano, driving the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, led for 323 of the 450 laps. This win marks his first of the season and has moved him back into the top 16 in the points standings.

The event was significant as it was the first points-paying Cup Series race held at North Wilkesboro since September 1996. Logano expressed satisfaction with the win, noting the tough year his team had experienced. He credited his crew chief, Paul Wolfe, for preparing a strong car and highlighted the team’s smooth execution throughout the race.

Logano emphasized the importance of capitalizing on points, stating that while a win is good, the points were crucial. He acknowledged the pressure, particularly from Denny Hamlin during the final run, but felt confident in his understanding of the track and his car’s setup.

Competitors’ Reactions and Race Highlights

Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, finished in second place. Hamlin commended Logano’s performance, describing it as a great drive. He noted that his car was close to where it needed to be but was slightly off the pace of Logano’s vehicle. Hamlin felt it was a good battle and that his team managed to keep Logano honest, despite Logano’s consistent speed on both short and long runs.

Chase Briscoe, in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, secured third place. Briscoe described his car as phenomenal and the race as fun, largely due to his car’s strong performance. He believed they had a car capable of winning, particularly excelling in long runs and passing many competitors. Briscoe mentioned that a caution in the second stage impacted their strategy, but he was pleased with the overall result, moving from a 30th starting position to eighth in the first stage and then to third.

Ty Gibbs, also from Joe Gibbs Racing, finished fourth in the No. 54 Toyota. He expressed appreciation for his team and the car they provided, though he felt frustrated by certain race conditions. Shane van Gisbergen, representing Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, finished fifth, stating he was excited when he took the lead and secured stage points in both stages. He found the race physically demanding due to the heat.

Bubba Wallace, driving the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota, finished sixth. He noted that the heat was manageable inside the car and that the team had a good night. Wallace highlighted the importance of clean races for his team, which he believes leads to consistent finishes between sixth and eighth, positioning them well for the Chase. He is looking forward to the upcoming race at Indy.

Brad Keselowski, in the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford, finished seventh. He reflected on the grueling nature of the 450-lap race and was pleased with a top-10 finish and stage points. Keselowski mentioned that his team executed well despite not having the fastest car, relying on good strategy and solid pit stops. He hopes days like this will help his team rebound in the points standings, especially with several short tracks and superspeedways ahead.

Todd Gilliland, driving the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford, secured eighth place. He was content with his team’s performance, noting that they had worked hard throughout the weekend to improve their short-track package. Gilliland praised his team’s strategy and execution, especially regarding short pitting, which he felt was a risk that paid off. The July 19 race marked a significant return for the NASCAR Cup Series to North Wilkesboro Speedway for a points-paying event.

Source: eu.tennessean.com