Logano ends 45-race winless streak at North Wilkesboro

Joey Logano ended a 45-race winless streak with a commanding victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night, securing his first win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season and extending his streak of consecutive seasons with a win to 15. The three-time series champion dominated the Window World 450, leading 323 of the 450 laps and holding off a late challenge from points leader Denny Hamlin to win by 0.859 seconds.

The race marked the historic return of North Wilkesboro to the Cup Series regular-season points schedule for the first time since September 29, 1996. Logano, who also won the All-Star Race at the track in 2024, described the venue as his best track and capitalized on his comfort there. His Team Penske No. 22 Ford was untouchable for much of the event, with Logano winning every restart and at times building a lead of more than five seconds. Only six drivers finished on the lead lap, with Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Shane van Gisbergen rounding out the top five.

Hamlin, who finished second, acknowledged Logano's mastery, particularly in navigating lapped traffic. He approached Logano after the race to congratulate him on what he called a wildly impressive drive....