It’s ‘Dega Baby! The NASCAR Cup Series returns from its sole off-weekend to race at the biggest track on the schedule, Talladega Superspeedway. Check out all the information about the Jack Links 500 from Talladega.
NASCAR Cup Series Jack Links 500 at Talladega Superspeedway Preview:
Hope everyone rested during the only off-weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series, because it is full speed ahead until we crown a champion in Phoenix this November. It is full speed into NASCAR’s fastest track, Talladega Superspeedway. Can RFK Racing get its first win of the season? Can Chevy win five out of seven Talladega Next-Gen races? Or will 23XI defend their win?
Race Preview: The Jack Links 500
The 2025 Jack Links 500 at Talladega Superspeedway is a 500-mile, 188-lap race around the 2.66-mile speedway. Stage cautions will be on laps 60 and 120, and the checkered flag on lap 188. The prize money purse for the race is 11,055,250 dollars. The cars will be running the same tires as they ran at Daytona in February.
The Track: Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway, built in 1969 by NASCAR Founder Bill France Sr., is the largest track on the NASCAR schedule at 2.66 miles in length. It has seen NASCAR’s highest speeds and worst crashes, building a reputation for its chaotic nature. With 33 degrees of banking in the corners, drivers are holding down the gas pedal for the entire lap.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. holds the record for wins at Talladega with ten victories, Brad Keselowski holds the active wins record at six. Parker Kligerman holds the track record, with a 46.53-second lap set in 2019. Bill Elliott set the top speed at the track in 1987 with a speed of 212.809 miles per hour
Cup Series Points Standings:
Here are the current points standings following Bristol Motor Speedway:
1. William Byron: 346
2. Denny Hamlin: 316
3. Christopher Bell: 305
4. Kyle Larson: 304
5. Chase Elliott: 278
6. Ryan Blaney: 275
7. Tyler Reddick: 274
8. Bubba Wallace: 251
9. Joey Logano: 245
10. Alex Bowman: 244
READ MORE: Kyle Larson Makes Food City 500 at Bristol His Playground
Drivers To Watch:
Some drivers are joining the field for the Jack Links 500. JJ Yeley will drive the #44 for NY Racing, Anthony Alfredo with drive the #62 for Beard Racing, and BJ McLeod will drive his #78 Chevy.
Ford has been the manufacturer to beat at Talladega in the Next-Gen era. While Chevy has the most wins, the Fords have been right there to steal a win. Brad Keselowski finished second in both races in 2024, so a win is due for the active wins holder. His RFK teammates are also great in restrictor plate racing. Chris Buescher won the spring Daytona race with Keselowski running behind him, and when Preece keeps the wheels on the ground, he can get a top-ten finish. Keep your eyes on the RFK Ford’s on Sunday.
William Byron has been sneaking in top-fives and top-tens at Talladega in the Next Gen era. He has an average finish of 4.75 in the last four races here. I think William Byron will show his drafting track prowess and be the winner for Chevrolet.
Toyota is a toss-up. You have drivers who have great skills at the drafting tracks, but with this new generation of race car, the skills are not as seen as in the Gen 6 era. I’m looking at the 23XI cars of Herbst, Reddick, and Wallace as contenders with owner Denny Hamlin thrown in there. In their stats, I see the ability to make passes and finish ahead of where they started. These four are solid choices if you are a Toyota fan.
How To Watch The Cup Series at Talladega:
Here is the weekend schedule for the Jack Links 500 at Talladega:
- Saturday, April 26th
- Qualifying
- No Practice for the Cup Series, Qualifying begins at 10:30 AM Eastern Time
- Coverage is on Amazon Prime Sports and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
- Qualifying
- Sunday, April 27th
- The Jack Links 500 at Talladega
- The race coverage begins at 3:00 PM Eastern
- Coverage is on FOX and the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel
Stay tuned to Last Word on Motorsports for all the action from Talladega and the NASCAR Cup Series.
Featured Image Credit: Sean Gardner, Getty Images. 4/21/2024
