Jack Link's 500
Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega Superspeedway is 2.66 miles of controlled chaos: the longest, fastest oval in NASCAR and the place where the draft is king. The 33-degree banking in the turns allows cars to run wide open around the entire track, and with 40 cars packed tight across three lanes, every lap becomes a calculation of when to push, when to pull, and when to simply survive. Since its 1969 opening, Talladega has produced some of the wildest moments in racing history: Bobby Allison's 1987 catch-fence crash that led to restrictor plates, Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s final Cup victory in 2000 after passing 17 cars in the final five laps, and the constant threat of The Big One that makes every lap feel precarious. Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin have been the modern masters here, with Penske and JGR drivers combining for a disproportionate share of recent superspeedway wins. The spring race historically kicks off the heart of the 2026 season, and with 188 laps and three tight stages, drafting partnerships and fuel strategy will decide who hoists the trophy. Nobody can win Talladega alone; you need friends, luck, and a car still running at the end.
Your watchlist, historical context, and race-week curiosities.
Your Drivers' Outlook
Historical Context
- Chase Elliott has 24 starts at Talladega Superspeedway with 2 wins and a 15.7 average finish.
- Tyler Reddick has 19 starts at Talladega Superspeedway with 2 wins and a 15.4 average finish.
- Christopher Bell has 18 starts at Talladega Superspeedway with a 16.2 average finish.
Based on Cup Series results at Talladega Superspeedway from 1949-2026.
The narrative arc, drivers to watch, and race-weekend color.
Schedule, predictions, entry list, track history, fantasy, and betting angles.
TV & Start Time
What channel is the Jack Link's 500 on?
The Jack Link's 500 airs on FOX on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET, broadcast from Talladega Superspeedway. The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule splits between FOX, FS1, TNT, NBC, USA, and Amazon Prime Video.
What time does the NASCAR Cup race start this race weekend?
The Jack Link's 500 ran on Sunday, April 26, 2026 with a 3:00 PM ET green flag on FOX.
NR-Rating Track Rankings
| # | Driver | Elo Rating | Last Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Elliott | | P4 |
| 2 | Tyler Reddick | | P14 |
| 3 | Daniel Suarez | | P12 |
| 4 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | | P6 |
| 5 | Kyle Busch | | P10 |
| 6 | William Byron | | P35 |
| 7 | Alex Bowman | | P3 |
| 8 | Ryan Blaney | | P37 |
| 9 | Christopher Bell | | P17 |
| 10 | Chris Buescher | | P2 |
NR-Rating Predictions
Last updated: Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 07:16 AM ET
| # | Driver | Exp. Finish | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Elliott Best in Field | 13.6 | 11.2% |
| 2 | Tyler Reddick | 10.4 | 11.0% |
| 3 | Christopher Bell | 13.6 | 10.4% |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney | 13.9 | 9.9% |
| 5 | Daniel Suarez | 13.9 | 8.9% |
| 6 | William Byron | 15.1 | 7.8% |
| 7 | Denny Hamlin | 15.1 | 7.2% |
| 8 | Alex Bowman | 16.0 | 5.8% |
| 9 | Chris Buescher | 16.0 | 5.4% |
| 10 | Bubba Wallace | 16.0 | 4.5% |
| 11 | Austin Cindric | 16.0 | 4.5% |
| 12 | Ross Chastain | 17.4 | 3.7% |
| 13 | Michael McDowell | 18.5 | 3.1% |
| 14 | Joey Logano | 18.5 | 3.1% |
| 15 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 18.5 | 3.1% |
| 16 | Jimmie Johnson | 18.9 | 3.1% |
| 17 | Brad Keselowski | 17.4 | 3.0% |
| 18 | Ryan Preece | 19.4 | 2.9% |
| 19 | Erik Jones | 20.0 | 2.3% |
| 20 | Ty Gibbs | 20.0 | 2.2% |
| 21 | Kyle Larson | 20.1 | 2.1% |
| 22 | Carson Hocevar | 20.1 | 1.8% |
| 23 | Austin Dillon | 20.5 | 1.4% |
| 24 | Chase Briscoe | 20.5 | 1.2% |
| 25 | John Hunter Nemechek | 21.1 | 1.0% |
| 26 | Todd Gilliland | 22.9 | 0.9% |
| 27 | Casey Mears | 21.7 | 0.9% |
| 28 | Ty Dillon | 22.9 | 0.9% |
| 29 | Cole Custer | 21.1 | 0.9% |
| 30 | Kevin Magnussen | 22.8 | 0.9% |
| 31 | Katherine Legge | 22.8 | 0.9% |
| 32 | Josh Berry | 23.7 | 0.6% |
| 33 | Zane Smith | 23.4 | 0.5% |
| 34 | Shane van Gisbergen | 23.4 | 0.4% |
| 35 | Connor Zilisch | 24.0 | 0.4% |
| 36 | A.J. Allmendinger | 23.3 | 0.4% |
| 37 | Noah Gragson | 25.5 | 0.3% |
| 38 | B.J. McLeod | 25.5 | 0.3% |
| 39 | Riley Herbst | 25.5 | 0.3% |
| 40 | Cody Ware | 25.5 | 0.3% |
Win probabilities reflect full-field Monte Carlo simulations. A 10% pWin means roughly 1-in-10 chance of winning, higher than most bettors realize for a 36-car field where the average driver has ~2.8% odds. Top 5 and Top 10 percentages similarly reflect simulated outcomes, not historical averages. Learn how the model works.
Predictions powered by NR-Rating model (MAE: 8.5 positions)
Prediction Scorecard
Enjoy Illinois 300: Model picked Denny Hamlin at P1 → Actual P9
(0/5 top-5 hits)
35% top-5 hit rate across 8 races
History at Talladega Superspeedway
Cup Series data from 1949-2026 (29 races)
Recent Results
| Year | Race | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Jack Link's 500 | Carson Hocevar |
| 2025 | YellaWood 500 | Chase Briscoe |
| 2025 | Jack Link's 500 | Austin Cindric |
| 2024 | YellaWood 500 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 2024 | GEICO 500 | Tyler Reddick |
All Results at This Track
Laps Led Leaders
| Driver | Total Laps Led |
|---|---|
| Joey Logano | 547 |
| Brad Keselowski | 310 |
| Ryan Blaney | 293 |
| Denny Hamlin | 280 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 256 |
Track Type Tendencies
Superspeedway races at Talladega Superspeedway are defined by pack racing and drafting. Results are less predictable than any other track type; the field stays tight and late-race wrecks reshape the outcome.
Manufacturer strategy and drafting alliances matter as much as raw speed. Longshot winners are more common here than anywhere on the schedule.
Fantasy
High laps-led totals at this track
Strong avg finish but no wins: lower ownership