On April 16, 1978, North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted the Staley 400, a 400-lap battle on the famed .625-mile short track that drew 18,000 fans and a 30-car starting field. Benny Parsons earned the pole position with a fast lap of 108.510 mph, setting the pace for a competitive afternoon on one of NASCAR’s toughest tracks. With narrow racing grooves and constant traffic, North Wilkesboro demanded patience, precision, and durability from every driver in the field.
The race featured four caution flags for 25 laps, keeping the field close and creating several chances for contenders to move forward. As the event entered its closing stages, Darrell Waltrip positioned himself at the front and held control when the final caution flag flew. Waltrip was declared the winner under caution, taking an important victory over hometown favorite Richard Petty, who finished second after a strong run. Benny Parsons backed up his pole-winning performance with a solid third-place finish.
Behind the top three, Lennie Pond turned in an impressive fourth-place result, while veteran Dave Marcis completed the top five. Waltrip’s winning average speed was 92.345 mph, a strong pace considering the cautions and the demanding nature of the short oval. The 1978 Staley 400 showcased the rising strength of Waltrip, the consistency of Parsons, and the continued popularity of short-track NASCAR racing. For the fans at Wilkesboro, it was another memorable afternoon of hard racing in one of the sport’s classic venues.
