The 1974 Wilkes 400 was held on September 22 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina. The 0.625-mile short track hosted the 400-lap (250-mile) NASCAR Winston Cup event with a 30-car field and an attendance of 11,000.
Richard Petty won the pole in his No. 43 Dodge with a qualifying speed of 105.087 mph. During the race, Petty made a late four-tire stop that cost him over two laps. He mounted a strong charge, getting back on the lead lap with about 50 laps remaining. However, a caution with four laps to go froze the field and prevented him from challenging Cale Yarborough for the win. Yarborough, driving the #11 for Junior Johnson, emerged victorious under caution. The race was slowed by six cautions for 71 laps and finished at an average speed of 80.782 mph.
Yarborough earned $9,275 for the win—his 28th career victory. Richard Petty finished second, Buddy Baker third, Earl Ross fourth, and Dave Marcis fifth.
