Logano Extends Record Streak
Joey Logano surged to victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway, clinching his first NASCAR Cup Series race of the 2025 season and ending a winless stretch that began in May 2025 at Texas Motor Speedway. The triumph not only broke his personal drought but also added another chapter to his remarkable record of winning at least one race in each of the past 15 seasons.
From the outset, Logano seized control, taking the lead in Stage 2 and never looking back. He led 323 of the 450 laps, showcasing a dominance that left the competition scrambling to keep pace. His ability to manage tire wear and fuel strategy turned the race into a solo exhibition for much of the event.
Behind him, Denny Hamlin fought his way to second place, with Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs and Shane Van Gisbergen rounding out the top five. The battle for position was punctuated by a caution‑inducing wreck on lap 184, when Alex Bowman clipped Tyler Reddick while entering pit road, sending both cars into the wall.
The North Wilkesboro track, built in 1947 and dormant for decades, had been refurbished just weeks before the race, giving fans a nostalgic yet modern venue. The event also served as a qualifier for the $1 million NASCAR In‑Season Challenge, with Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland reaching the finals. The championship of that series will be decided next Sunday at the Brickyyard 400 in Indianapolis.
While Logano celebrated, Ryan Blaney endured a rough night, hampered by a power‑steering pump failure and a speeding penalty that dropped him down the order. Nevertheless, the race underscored the unpredictable nature of short‑track racing, where mechanical gremlins and strategic penalties can reshape the leaderboard in an instant.