The 1965 Wilkes 400, held on October 3 at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina, delivered a thrilling showdown in the NASCAR Grand National Series as 35 drivers battled over the 0.625-mile paved short track for 400 laps (250 miles). In warm conditions with light winds, a crowd of approximately 15,000 spectators watched Fred Lorenzen capture the pole position with a blazing qualifying speed of 101.580 mph.
The race featured intense competition and five caution periods that slowed the action for 36 laps, but Junior Johnson ultimately dominated, leading 204 laps in his #26 Ford. Johnson seized the lead for good on lap 317 after a brief challenge from Cale Yarborough and went on to win by a commanding two full laps over Yarborough in second. Ned Jarrett finished a strong third, followed by David Pearson in fourth and Curtis Turner in fifth.
Johnson’s winning average speed was 88.801 mph, and he earned $4,475 for the victory in what proved to be his 50th and final career NASCAR win.
