Joey Logano dominated the NASCAR Cup race at North Wilkesboro, leading 323 of 450 laps and securing his first win of the 2026 season. This victory marks Logano's 38th career win and vaults him above the Chase cut-line. The Team Penske driver held off Denny Hamlin in the closing laps, showcasing his skill and determination. Logano's performance was particularly impressive, as he led more laps than his own personal record for a single race. The win felt especially sweet after a tough year for Logano. He took his son Hudson for a ride after the race, celebrating with a victory lap and some big, smokey doughnuts around the track. The race also featured an underdog run by Todd Gilliland, who advanced into the finals of the $1 million In-Season Challenge, defeating Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney. The race had its fair share of excitement and drama, with a slight delay to dry the track after earlier storms, and various incidents, including a collision between Kyle Larson and Zane Smith during pit stops. Despite these challenges, Logano's performance stood out, and his win at North Wilkesboro will be remembered as a significant moment in his career.
