The run was crucial for his Chase hopes, moving to 54 points ahead of the cutline.
And while Logano’s form is starting to turn upward, Austin Cindric (16th in points) and Erik Jones (17th) aren’t running consistently. Cindric hasn’t recorded a top-10 since Watkins Glen in May; Jones has three finishes in the 20s in the past five events.
It’s not time to call this one into the decision desk, but SVG is almost certainly Chase-bound.
Loser: Erik Jones and his Chase chances
Jones’ Chase chances were dented at North Wilkesboro after a 21st-place run.
Jones got the benefit of the mid-race caution during a green-flag cycle, but struggled for pace on the long run and especially after brushing the wall with 60 laps to go.
The Legacy Motor Club driver punctuated the night’s outcome with two 11th-place finishes in the two stages, missing out on points twice by one position.
He left North Wilkesboro in 17th in points, 33 points off the cutline.
Jones goes to Indianapolis next week, where he suffered a DNF in 2025 via a crash following a loose wheel. Jones has four DNFs in six races at the 2.5-mile track.
Losers: Hendrick Motorsports
Alex Bowman and the No. 48 team may get a side-eye or two this week at the Hendrick Motorsports shop.
Bowman’s ill-fated turn toward pit road turned into a two-car incident that produced a caution on Lap 183, catching teammates William Byron and Chase Elliott on the wrong end of the green-flag cycle.
The Nos. 9 and 24 had already stopped and were two laps down at the time of caution, while Logano and others had not stopped. Elliott was a top-five car before the pit cycle, while Byron was around the top 10.