Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Window World 450

Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, going into the Window World 450 this Sunday, July 19 at 7 p.m. ET on TNT, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

THE CHASE CLINCH SCENARIOS FOLLOWING ECHOPARK SPEEDWAY

Already Clinched

The following two drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick.

Can Clinch Via Points at North Wilkesboro Speedway

The following drivers could clinch:

• Ryan Blaney: Would clinch with 35 points
• Ty Gibbs: Could only clinch with help

NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY – HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS

RACE DATA – WINDOW WORLD 450
Season Race Number: 21 of 36 (July 19, 2026)
Race Purse: $11,233,037
Race Length: 450 laps (281.25 miles)
Stage 1 Length: 80 laps (Ends on Lap 80)
Stage 2 Length: 185 laps (Ends on Lap 265)
Final Stage Length: 185 laps (Ends on Laps 450)
Pit Road Speed: 30 MPH
Caution Car Speed: 35 MPH

TRACK DATA
Track Size: 0.625-mile
Banking/Turns: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch & Backstretch: 3 degrees
Layout: Paved Oval, with unique uphill backstretch and downhill frontstretch

QUALIFYING & RACE RECORDS

North Wilkesboro Speedway Track Qualifying Record:
Ernie Irvan, Ford, 119.016 mph, (18.905 secs.), April 17, 1994

North Wilkesboro Speedway Track Race Record (250 miles):
Geoffrey Bodine, Ford, 107.360 mph, (02:19:43), October 5, 1992

HISTORY

• North Wilkesboro Speedway is located in Wilkes County, North Carolina — “The Moonshine Capital of the World” — one of the most historic and recognizable tracks in NASCAR.
• In 1946, Enoch Stanley and his partners built North Wilkesboro Speedway which opened on May 18, 1947.
• The 0.625-mile oval predates NASCAR itself and played a significant role in the sport’s early development.
• Originally built as a dirt track, it was paved in 1957 and has since become known for its unique layout, featuring a downhill frontstretch, uphill backstretch, and asymmetrical banking that creates challenging racing conditions unlike any other short track.
• The speedway became part of NASCAR’s inaugural Strictly Stock (now Cup Series) season in 1949, hosting one of the series’ first races.
• Throughout the next five decades, North Wilkesboro established itself as a staple of the NASCAR schedule, holding two Cup Series races each year from 1957 to 1996.
• Its intimate setting, passionate fan base, and roots in North Carolina’s moonshine culture made it one of the sport’s most beloved venues and helped shape NASCAR’s identity during its formative years.
• Following the 1996 season, NASCAR shifted its focus toward larger markets, and North Wilkesboro lost both of its Cup Series dates. One race moved to Texas Motor Speedway, while the other relocated to New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• The facility sat largely abandoned for more than two decades, becoming a symbol of NASCAR’s changing landscape and inspiring generations of fans to advocate for its return.
• That return finally became reality in 2023 after extensive renovations by Speedway Motorsports and support from NASCAR and the State of North Carolina.
• North Wilkesboro hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race for the first time in 2023, marking one of the most celebrated revivals in modern motorsports.
• A complete repaving in 2024 preserved the track’s historic character while modernizing its racing surface.
• Today, North Wilkesboro Speedway stands as a bridge between NASCAR’s past and present, combining its rich heritage with a renewed role in the sport’s future.
• In total, North Wilkesboro Speedway has hosted 93 NASCAR Cup Series races.

STARTS

• A total of 469 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series points-paying race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 66 starts.
• Top five in starts at North Wilkesboro: Richard Petty (66), Dave Marcis (52), Darrell Waltrip (45), Bobby Allison (41), Buddy Arington (39).
• None of the current active full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers have competed in a Cup points-paying race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• A total of 42 different drivers have made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• The most recent drivers to make his first Cup Series starts at North Wilkesboro Speedway were John Andretti and Jay Hedgecock on October 3, 1993.

Drivers That Made First Career Cup Start at North Wilkesboro Speedway

• Of the 42 drivers that made their first career NASCAR Cup Series start at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the driver that earned the best starting position was fifth-place by Mark Martin on April 5, 1981, and the best finish was a victory by Leon Sales on September 24, 1950.
• Frank Mundy and Red Byron lead the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 2.0 in two starts each

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at North Wilkesboro Speedway

POLES

• A total of 44 different drivers have won the pole for a NASCAR Cup Series race at Norh Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Kenneth Wagner won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at North Wilkesboro Speedway with a speed of 57.563 mph driving a 1949 Lincoln for car owner Dailey Moyer.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip has won the most poles at North Wilkesboro Speedway with nine (1975, 1976, 1978, 1981, 1982 sweep, 1983, 1984, 1985).
• Four Cup drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at North Wilkesboro Speedway – Kenneth Wagner (1949), Fireball Roberts (1950), Dink Widenhouse (1955) and Jimmy Spencer (1994).
• Youngest Cup pole winner at North Wilkesboro: Fireball Roberts (09/24/1950 – 21 years, 8 months, 4 days).
• Oldest Cup pole winner at North Wilkesboro: Harry Gant (09/29/1991 – 51 years, 8 months, 19 days).
• A total of 42 different organizations have won a pole at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• Junior Johnson & Associates leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 12 poles.
• A total of nine different manufacturers have won a Cup Series pole at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Ford leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 30, followed by Chevrolet (25), Dodge (12), Oldsmobile (8), Pontiac (6), Buick (4), Hudson (4), Plymouth (2) and Lincoln (1).

WINS

• A total of 38 different drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Bob Flock won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on October 16, 1949, driving a ‘49 Oldsmobile for car owner Frank Christian.
• NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 15 victories (1962 sweep, 1963, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972 sweep, 1973, 1974, 1975 sweep, 1980, 1981).
• Youngest Cup race winner at North Wilkesboro: Richard Petty (04/15/1962 – 24 years, 9 months, 13 days)
• Oldest Cup race winner at North Wilkesboro: Lee Petty (03/27/1960 – 46 years, 0 months, 13 days)
• Two NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won their first career Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway – Leon Sales (9/24/1950) and Brett Bodine (4/22/1990).
• A total of 20 different starting positions have led to wins in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway, led by the first starting position with 23 victories.
• A total of 37 of the 93 NASCAR Cup Series races at North Wilkesboro Speedway have been won from a front row starting positions (23 from the pole and 14 from outside front row).
• The deepest in the field a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at North Wilkesboro Speedway is 20th by Brett Bodine in 1990.
• A total of 10 different drivers have won consecutive Cup Series races at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Darrell Waltrip leads the NASCAR Cup Series in consecutive wins at North Wilkesboro Speedway with five straight from 1981-1983.
• A total of 35 different organizations have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Junior Johnson & Associates and Petty Enterprises are tied for the NASCAR Cup Series most wins by an organization at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 18 wins each.
• Five active organizations have won in the Cup Series at North Wilkesboro – Richard Childress Racing (5 wins), Hendrick Motor Sports (4), Wood Brother Racing (2), RFK Racing (2) and Team Penske (2).
• Nine different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Chevrolet leads the NACAR Cup Series in wins at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 32 victories, followed by Ford (20), Plymouth (13), Oldsmobile (8), Dodge (6), Buick (5), Hudson (4), Pontiac (4) and Chrysler (1).

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

• A total of 41 different drivers have finished runner-up in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at North Wilkesboro Speedway with eight second-place finishes.

Top-Five Finishes:

• A total of 105 different drivers have finished top-five in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 33 top fives.

Top-10 Finishes:

• A total of 206 different drivers have finished top-10 in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 42 top 10s.

Average Finish:

• Fonty Flock leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at North Wilkesboro Speedway with a 5.8 in 10 starts.

LAP LEADERS & LEAD CHANGES

• A total of 89 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
• Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at North Wilkesboro Speedway with 5,308 laps led in 66 starts.
• The most laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway was 400 laps led of the scheduled 400 by Darel Dieringer on April 16, 1967 – he started from the pole position.
• The fewest laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway was just 1 lap led – the final lap – by Junior Johnson (10/19/1958) and Geoff Bodine (10/15/1989).
• The most laps led in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway by a driver that did not win the race was 381 laps of the scheduled 400 (95.3%) by Darrell Waltrip on Oct. 1, 1978 – he started on the pole and ultimately finished second in the race.

All-Time Cup Series Lap Leaders at North Wilkesboro Speedway

• The largest number of leaders in NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway is 13 (10/1/1995) and the fewest is 1 (7 times; most recently 4/16/1967).
• The largest number of lead changes in a NASCAR Cup race at North Wilkesboro Speedway is 28 (10/1/1995) and the fewest was 0 (5 times; most recently 4/16/1967).

FEMALE COMPETITORS

• Only one female driver has competed in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway – Sara Christian finished 12th on 10/16/1949.

TRACK / EVENT STATS

• The closest Margin of Victory in a NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway is 0.239-second – set by Jeff Gordon in the September 29, 1996 race over second-place Dale Earnhardt.
• The largest Margin of Victory in a NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway is 21-seconds – set by Geoff Bodine in the October 2, 1994 race over second-place Terry Labonte.
• It’s been 10,885 days since the last Cup points race at N. Wilkesboro (September 29, 1996).
• N Wilkesboro is one of two tracks currently on the schedule that were part of the first Cup Series schedule in 1949 (Martinsville)
• N Wilkesboro is the third of seven short track races this season, tied with 2024 for the most in a single year since 1996
• Qualifying has been cancelled in the NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway once – 10/15/1989.

NASCAR IN NORTH CAROLINA

• There have been 788 NASCAR national series races among 32 tracks in the state of North Carolina.
• Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted the most NASCAR national series races in the state of North Carolina at 233.
• The very first race in what is now known as the NASCAR Cup Series, was held on June 19, 1949 at a dirt track in Charlotte, North Carolina named the Charlotte Speedway. The track is a 0.75-mile dirt track, and the first event saw 32 entries compete, but it was Jim Roper who won the race – his only victory in his career.

NORTH CAROLINA DRIVERS IN NASCAR

• A total of 484 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as North Carolina. 61 of the 484 have won in a NASCAR national series race.

— NASCAR —