“Where Racing Heritage Lives“

1968 Wilkes 400

The 1968 Wilkes 400 was held on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina. The 0.625-mile short track hosted its traditional 400-lap (250-mile) NASCAR Grand National event, drawing a solid crowd of 16,000 fans for the 30-car field.

Bobby Allison earned the pole in the #14 Friedkin Enterprises Plymouth with a qualifying speed of 104.525 mph. Richard Petty started third in his #43 Petty Enterprises Plymouth. The race featured three cautions for 25 laps and was completed at an average speed of 94.103 mph.

Allison led early with 69 laps out front, but Petty took control and dominated, leading a commanding 318 laps. He pulled away to win by a full lap over David Pearson in the Holman-Moody #17 Ford.

Petty earned $5,975 for the victory—his 90th career win and 15th of the 1968 season. LeeRoy Yarbrough finished third, Bobby Allison fourth (after starting on pole), and Cale Yarborough fifth.

The result kept the championship battle tight: David Pearson extended his points lead to 64 over Bobby Isaac.

**1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program Back Cover**

1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program - Cars and Drivers Get Tougher — **1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program – Cars and Drivers Get Tougher**

1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program - Drivers — **1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program – Drivers**

1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program - Isaac and Pearson — **1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program – Isaac and Pearson**

1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program - Wilkes 400 Schedule — **1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Program – Wilkes 400 Schedule**

**1968 NASCAR North Wilkesboro Wilkes 400 Starting Lineup**

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