The 1968 Gwyn Staley Memorial at North Wilkesboro Speedway on April 21 drew 13,500 fans for a rugged 400-lap Grand National battle featuring a 35-car field on the track’s .625-mile paved oval. David Pearson claimed the pole position at 104.993 mph and started the day in the strong No. 17 Holman-Moody Ford. The race quickly turned into a demanding test of speed and survival, with repeated cautions and heavy mechanical attrition punishing teams throughout the afternoon.
LeeRoy Yarbrough appeared headed for victory after building a 10-second lead late in the race, but disaster struck on lap 391 when his engine failed. That opened the door for Pearson, who had remained in contention all day and was perfectly positioned to capitalize. Pearson swept into the lead and drove away to win by a full lap, recording his third victory of the 1968 season. The race was slowed by ten caution flags for 67 laps, yet Pearson still averaged 90.425 mph for the afternoon.
Buddy Baker finished second in the No. 3 Ray Fox Dodge, followed by Bobby Isaac in third, Darel Dieringer in fourth, and Yarbrough was still credited with fifth despite his late heartbreak. Dieringer also received relief driving help from Richard Petty after Petty retired with engine trouble. Mechanical failures defined the event, with 17 cars losing engines and only 15 cars running at the finish, making the 1968 Gwyn Staley Memorial one of Wilkesboro’s toughest endurance races.
