A look at the NASCAR qualifying results and starting lineup for the 2026 Window World 450 NASCAR Cup Series Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19th.
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NASCAR is heading somewhere it has not been for a points-paying race in 30 years. North Wilkesboro Speedway returns to the Cup Series schedule on Sunday for the Window World 450 — the first points race at the iconic 0.625-mile short track in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina since 1996. The track’s unique character, featuring a downhill frontstretch and an uphill backstretch born from a construction budget shortfall in 1947, has made it one of the most beloved venues in NASCAR history. With no Cup points-race data to draw from at this track in the modern era, Sunday’s race promises to be one of the most unpredictable events of the 2026 season.
The starting lineup was set via NASCAR’s qualifying metric system rather than timed qualifying laps. The following shares the official starting grid for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, along with North Wilkesboro Speedway track details and key observations heading into race day.
NASCAR Qualifying Results at North Wilkesboro Speedway
2026 Window World 450 Race Info
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026
Start Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Track: North Wilkesboro Speedway — North Wilkesboro, NC
Coverage: TNT Sports, truTV, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Pole Sitter: Ryan Blaney
Defending Race Winner: N/A (first Cup points race at North Wilkesboro since 1996)
Window World 450 Race Breakdown
Distance: 281.25 miles
Laps: 450
Lap Length: 0.625 miles
Stage 1: Ends Lap 80
Stage 2: Ends Lap 265
Final Stage: Ends Lap 450
Surface: Asphalt
Turns: 4
Banking: Turns — 14°; Front & Back Stretch — 3°
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Official Window World 450 Starting Lineup
Ryan Blaney earned the pole position for Sunday’s race via NASCAR’s qualifying metric system, which factors in owner points and past performance to set the starting order when timed qualifying is unavailable. Blaney arrives at North Wilkesboro on a high, having won last week’s rain-delayed Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway — his third victory of the 2026 season. Starting from the front at a short track with limited passing opportunities is a significant advantage.
Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell line up second and third, giving Joe Gibbs Racing strong track position to start the race. Carson Hocevar (P4) and Tyler Reddick (P5) round out the top five. Notably, points leader Denny Hamlin will start seventh, while Kyle Larson draws a deep starting spot in 27th. Chad Finchum did not make the field and is not listed in the lineup.
| Pos. | Driver | Car No. | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Ford |
| 2 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Toyota |
| 3 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Toyota |
| 4 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Chevrolet |
| 5 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | Toyota |
| 6 | Erik Jones | 43 | Toyota |
| 7 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Toyota |
| 8 | Shane van Gisbergen | 97 | Chevrolet |
| 9 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Ford |
| 10 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Chevrolet |
| 11 | Joey Logano | 22 | Ford |
| 12 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Chevrolet |
| 13 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Chevrolet |
| 14 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Ford |
| 15 | William Byron | 24 | Chevrolet |
| 16 | Michael McDowell | 71 | Chevrolet |
| 17 | Daniel Suarez | 7 | Chevrolet |
| 18 | Todd Gilliland | 34 | Ford |
| 19 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Toyota |
| 20 | Cole Custer | 41 | Chevrolet |
| 21 | Ryan Preece | 60 | Ford |
| 22 | Ty Dillon | 10 | Chevrolet |
| 23 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Ford |
| 24 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | Chevrolet |
| 25 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Chevrolet |
| 26 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | Toyota |
| 27 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Chevrolet |
| 28 | Josh Berry | 21 | Ford |
| 29 | Zane Smith | 38 | Ford |
| 30 | Chase Briscoe | 19 | Toyota |
| 31 | Noah Gragson | 4 | Ford |
| 32 | Connor Zilisch | 88 | Chevrolet |
| 33 | Austin Hill | 33 | Chevrolet |
| 34 | Riley Herbst | 35 | Toyota |
| 35 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Chevrolet |
| 36 | Cody Ware | 51 | Chevrolet |
| 37 | Chad Finchum | 66 | Ford |
NASCAR Window World 450 Lineup Notes
- Ryan Blaney leads the field to green for the second consecutive week. He arrives riding high after winning last Sunday’s rain-delayed Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway — his third Cup victory of the 2026 season. Starting up front at a tight short track with limited passing lanes is a real advantage.
- The starting lineup was set via NASCAR’s qualifying metric system rather than timed laps, meaning the grid order reflects owner points and past performance rather than outright speed in qualifying.
- Joe Gibbs Racing places three cars in the top seven — Ty Gibbs (P2), Christopher Bell (P3), and Denny Hamlin (P7) — giving the organization a strong foothold at the front before the race even starts.
- Toyota as a manufacturer fills five of the top seven starting spots, continuing a dominant 2026 campaign in both wins and track position.
- Tyler Reddick starts fifth, keeping him near the front as he battles Hamlin for the points lead. Reddick sits 44 points back heading into Sunday.
- Kyle Larson draws a tough 27th starting spot. At a short track where clean air and track position are critical, Larson will need a strong pit strategy or caution luck to work his way into contention.
- This is Round 4 of the 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge. Ryan Blaney (No. 3 seed) takes on Christopher Bell (No. 10 seed), while Chase Elliott (No. 4 seed) faces Todd Gilliland (No. 25 seed) on the other side of the bracket.
- Sunday’s race marks the first NASCAR Cup Series points race at North Wilkesboro Speedway since September 29, 1996 — a 30-year gap. The track hosted the All-Star Race in 2023, 2024, and 2025, but this is an entirely different test as a full points event.
- With no modern Cup points-race data at this track, Sunday’s event is one of the most wide-open races on the 2026 schedule. Short-track specialists and teams that thrive at places like Bristol, Martinsville, and Richmond are worth monitoring.
- 37 cars are entered in Sunday’s race.
