Joey Logano Dominates NASCAR Cup Race at North Wilkesboro

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NORTH WILKESBORO, NC - RIS - Joey Logano dominated the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Race at Northboro Speedway on Sunday night. Logano won the pole position and led 199 of 200 laps to finish first.  I t was hgis second All Star win and the winner went home with 1 Million dollars   Logano started on the pole after posting the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday and was never really challenged, setting a record by leading more laps than any driver has in the race's 40-year history.

Denny Hamlin finished second and Chris Buescher third in a race that lacked drama for the second straight year at the renovated track. 

Kyle Larson, who arrived about an hour before the race after spending the afternoon qualifying fifth for the Indianapolis 500 and flying to North Wilkesboro, finished fourth and came up short in the quest to tie Jimmie Johnson for the most All-Star Race wins with four after starting at the back of the field.

There only real fireworks came on the second lap when Kyle Busch sent Ricky Stenhouse Jr. into the wall on the second lap after Stenhouse tapped him on the first lap. An upset Stenhouse pulled his wrecked car down pit lane and parked in Busch's pit stall, got out and climbed a ladder to yell at Busch's crew.

"We passed him and I guess he was mad," Stenhouse said. Afterward, Stenhouse went after Busch in the pits, throwing punches before the fight was broken upby crew members.

Before the race, all of the talk was about Larson.  He qualified well at the Brickyard as he attempts to do the Indianapolis 500 and the Coke 600 ATCharlotte Motor Speedway next Sunday. 

His plane landed at Wilkes County Airport and was then transported via helicopter to the racetrack and then taken by golf cart to his hauler to begin preparations for the 200-lap exhibition race. Fans cheered his arrival into the track and he waved to them along the way.

Larson will have to do it all over again next weekend when he attempts to run the double and finish the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina

Seventeen drivers qualified for the race based on their past accomplishments. All-Star Open winner Ty Gibbs and second place finisher Bubba Wallace advanced into the race on Sunday, along with fan vote winner Noah Gragson.

NASCAR All-Star Race, May 19, 2024 - North Wilkesboro Speedway
Pos, Fin, Str, Car, Driver, Laps, Status, Tms Led, Laps Led
1) 1, 22, Joey Logano, Shell Pennzoil Ford, 200, Running, 2, 199
2) 11, 11, Denny Hamlin, Mavis Tire Toyota, 200, Running, , 
3) 5, 17, Chris Buescher, Fastenal Ford, 200, Running, , 
4) 12, 5, Kyle Larson, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 200, Running, , 
5) 17, 12, Ryan Blaney, Menards/Wrangler Ford, 200, Running, , 
6) 19, 23, Bubba Wallace, Alltroo Toyota, 200, Running, , 
7) 7, 1, Ross Chastain, Busch Light Flannel Chevrolet, 200, Running, , 
8) 15, 9, Chase Elliott, NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 200, Running, , 
9) 9, 34, Michael McDowell, Charlotte Knights Ford, 200, Running, , 
10) 14, 8, Kyle Busch, Lenovo Chevrolet, 200, Running, , 
11) 20, 10, Noah Gragson, Overstock.com Ford, 200, Running, , 
12) 8, 19, Martin Truex Jr., Bass Pro Shops Toyota, 200, Running, , 
13) 18, 54, Ty Gibbs, Monster Energy Toyota, 200, Running, , 
14) 6, 45, Tyler Reddick, The Beast Unleashed Toyota, 200, Running, , 
15) 4, 99, Daniel Suarez, Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, 200, Running, , 
16) 2, 6, Brad Keselowski, Nexlizet Ford, 200, Running, 1, 1
17) 3, 20, Christopher Bell, Yahoo! Toyota, 200, Running, , 
18) 10, 16, AJ Allmendinger(i), LeafFilter/Campers Inn RV Chevrolet, 198, Running, , 
19) 13, 24, William Byron, RaptorTough.com Chevrolet, 186, Running, , 
20) 16, 47, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kroger Health/Icy Hot Chevrolet, 2, Accident, ,

Total Race Length: 200 Laps, 125. Miles
Time of Race: 1 Hrs, 19 Mins, 57 Secs.
Average Speed: 93.809 mph
Margin of Victory: 0.636 second

Comments: Joey Logano won the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, his second NASCAR All-Star Race victory.

Prior to the start, the No. 5 car (driver change) dropped to the rear of the field under penalty.

Cautions: 4 for 27 laps;
Laps: 3-10 (No. 47, 8 Incident Turn 2 [None]);
102-108 (Competition Break [34]);
119-123 (No. 54, 8 Incident Turn 1 [10]);
152-158 (Competition Break [54]).

Lead Changes: 2 among 2 drivers;
J. Logano 1-103;
B. Keselowski 104;
J. Logano 105-200.

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