In NASCAR’s first points-paying race at North Wilkesboro in nearly 30 years, Joey Logano emerged victorious, ending his winless streak, which began in May 2025. He won the race after leading 323 out of the 450 laps.

After starting the Window World 450 from 11th place on Sunday, July 19, Logano kept himself in the top ten during the first stage. In Stage 2, he took the lead of the race and never looked back.

In the closing laps, however, the Team Penske driver had to hold off the fast-approaching Denny Hamlin, who tried to catch up with him but failed to do so. While talking to TNT Sports’ Shannon Spake after climbing out of the car, Logano thanked his crew chief, Paul Wolfe.

"Just think it's something that clicks for us," Logano said during the post-race interview. "Paul (Wolfe) put together a good car, and I feel like I know exactly what I need to go fast in this place, and he's easily able to give it to me."

Explaining the importance of this win in the context of making it to the playoffs, Logano added:

"I knew coming into this weekend we got to capitalize on the points. A win is great, but we really needed the points, and so we really capitalized on those tonight."

Joey Logano finished the race 0.859 seconds ahead of Denny Hamlin. Not just that, but he also broke his own record of most laps led in a single race, which previously was 309 at Martinsville in 2018. 

Behind Logano and Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Chase Briscoe and Ty Gibbs finished in third and fourth. Shane van Gisbergen rounded off the Top 5, marking his career-best oval finish in the Cup Series.

Joey Logano praises Denny Hamlin after holding him off in the final laps

During the final round of green flag pit stops at the Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, it was a race to get out of the pit road. And the No. 22 Team Penske crew executed Joey Logano's stop to perfection.

From there on, Denny Hamlin was stuck behind Logano as they made their way through the traffic. In the aforementioned interview, Logano admitted that he felt the pressure that the championship leader was putting on him and also praised him for putting up a fight.

"I mean, the pressure was there for sure. Denny got really good there in the last run, and honestly it was whoever’s out front is going to win the race. That last run, we were pretty dominant most of the race, but as the race went along, Denny got better there in the last run. They did a decent job keeping up, but gosh, it feels good."

Denny Hamlin's runner-up finish helped him increase his lead in the drivers' championship to 68 points over Tyler Reddick in second place.

Meanwhile, Joey Logano, who was severely struggling throughout the season, entered playoff contention. He gained two places in the standings and made it to 15th. Only the Top 16 advance to The Chase, and only five races remain in the regular season.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak