NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Talladega)

Winners: Austin Cindric (Cup); Austin-Hill (Xfinity); plus Lawless Alan (ARCA)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

NASCAR Cup

Austin Cindric Edges Out Ryan Preece, Captures Talladega Victory

 

Austin Cindric’s dramatic last-lap pass provided exactly the sort of Talladega Superspeedway thrill that NASCAR fans have come to expect at the sport’s biggest track, earning the 2022 Daytona 500 winner Cindric — and Team Penske — their first trophy of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

 

Cindric’s No. 2 Team Penske Ford pulled ahead of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Ford by the length of a front hood to claim a 0.022-second victory in Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500 — the two Ford Mustangs exchanged the lead five times in the final six laps and ultimately finished side-by-side holding off a pair of hard-charging Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet teammates just behind in Kyle Larson and William Byron.

 

“I’m just so proud of this team from the [pit] cycles to the fast cars to the fuel-only stops,” said the 26-year old Cindric, whose team — with 17 laps remaining — turned in the fastest final pit stop putting him back out front and able to contend for the win in a race that featured 67 lead changes among 23 drivers.

 

“It definitely wasn’t easy,” Cindric said of holding off the Hendrick teammates for the checkered flag. “I give a lot of credit, Kyle [Larson] did a lot to take care of me, pushing me at the right times in the tri-oval, and as mad as I was at him after Atlanta [race], I feel like we’re good now. That was great and having a photo-finish at Talladega and get in the playoffs in front of this amazing crowd, beautiful day in Alabama.”

 

Grabbed what he came for.#JackLinks500 pic.twitter.com/CWCuw4tCXP

— Talladega Superspeedway (@TALLADEGA) April 28, 2025

Pole: Zane Smith

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 3:30 pm ET for the ‘Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY’ at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Tames Talladega

 

Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill prevailed in a three-wide photo finish in the Ag-Pro 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway — edging ahead of Jeb Burton and his RCR teammate Jesse Love at the time the field was frozen with an electronic timestamp approaching the checkered flag.

 

The caution flag and checkered flag flew simultaneously after Love’s No. 2 Chevrolet made contact with the rear of then-race leader, JR Motorsports rookie Connor Zilisch’s No. 88 Chevrolet just after the white flag came out signaling one lap to go. Zilisch’s car spun down into the track apron, hitting the wall, leaving Hill, Burton and Love to sort out the trophy.

 

“Man, we really had to work for that one,” said Hill, who now has a series-best three victories this year and 13 in his career. “It just seemed like our car was really good. Everyone at RCR and RCR engines are bad to the bone, like always. We had to work. I thought the 2 (Love) was really good and when we got the push from the 2 going into [turn] one, he got inside of me and I thought that was a bad mistake and I should have covered it. So I thought we were done. But I just locked in and kept pushing the heck out of the 2 car.

 

“I knew it was either me or the 27 [Burton],” he said of the photo finish. “Man, to win them — any way you win them is always great — and finally to conquer Talladega, that’s something I’ve really wanted to do for a long time.

 

“We’ve won at all these other superspeedways and to finally get it done at all the different superspeedways we go to, it just shows the 21 team can win at any of them and we’re really good at this style of racing.”

 

King of the Hill … and the superspeedways. 👑 pic.twitter.com/crQWfLkCFI

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 26, 2025

Pole: Jesse Love

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET for the ‘Andy's Frozen Custard 300’ at Texas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

No Truck Track Action Last Weekend

The Safelite Foundation welcomes @FosterLove alongside @CoreyHeim_ for a four-race collab, turning his truck blue to support National Foster Care Month this May! 🩵

Every 2 minutes a child enters foster care in the U.S., so now’s the time to make a difference 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Eg7IxhgpXx

— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) April 28, 2025

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 8:00 pm ET for the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

ARCA

Lawless Alan Captures First ARCA Menards Series Win

 

When Lawless Alan joined Venturini Motorsports at the start of the 2025 season, his goals were simple.

 

He wanted to win races and contend for the ARCA Menards Series championship. After just three races, he can put a checkmark alongside one of those goals.

 

Alan, driving the No. 20 Toyota, was the leader on the final lap when a multi-car crash brought a premature end to the General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway and Alan was declared the winner.

 

“First thing I’ve got to say is God is so good,” Alan said after his first ARCA Menards Series victory in his 10th start. “I didn’t have any sort of plan after Phoenix last year. Then Toyota called me, and we put this deal together with Venturini and AUTOParkIt and I am so thankful to them.”

 

🎉 THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THAT FIRST WIN FEELING!

🥳 CONGRATS @lawlessalan25! pic.twitter.com/BsAwArJzPM

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) April 26, 2025

Pole: William Sawalich

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The ARCA Series East will return on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 8:30 p.m. CT for the ‘Music City 150’ at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

source: NASCAR Media

Snowy NASCAR

Winter Blankets #NASCAR Tracks (2024-25 offseason)

Enjoy the snowy backdrops from some of NASCAR's tracks from this winter before the 2025 season begins.

 

The Cup Series is scheduled to return to competition on Sunday February 2nd 2025 at Winston-Salem, North Carolina’s Bowman Gray for the 200 lap ‘Cook Out Clash.’

 

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Dover Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Pocono Raceway

Richmond Raceway

Talladega Superspeedway

Texas Motor Speedway

 

Did someone say Snow Day? ❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/l4W31ff8xB

— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) January 9, 2025

 

source: NASCAR Media

Country Music Star and Army Reserve Soldier to Perform NASCAR National Anthem

Craig Morgan Alongside 313th U.S. Army Band for the YellaWood 500

Patriotic performance to Set the Stage for NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race

 

Country music star and Army Reserve soldier Craig Morgan will perform the National Anthem alongside the 313th US Army Band ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 Playoff race on Sunday, October 6th at Talladega Superspeedway. The patriotic collaboration between Morgan and the 313th US Army Band will be an incredibly powerful performance and inspiration to all. The event will stream on NBC Sports, NBC, MRN, and SiriusXM start at 2 pm ET.

 

“It’s an honor to represent my country and perform with my fellow soldiers in the 313th US Army Band – and there’s no place better to do it than in front of thousands of NASCAR fans at the start of Sunday’s Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway,” states Morgan.

 

“It’s an honor to have Craig Morgan perform the National Anthem with the 313th US Army Band for the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500,” states Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton. “Craig defines what it means to be a patriot for our country, and we thank him for his service. His extraordinary musical talent is sure to deliver a powerful National Anthem that will be a special moment for all our fans.”

 

Before becoming a country music star, Morgan spent 17 years serving our country in the Army and Army Reserve and enlisted again in 2023, continuing his military career as a Warrant Officer in the Army Reserve with the 313th US Army Band.

 

I love when I get to wear this uniform and be a part of the greatest organization in the world #USArmy #Army #Country pic.twitter.com/3EwDu2FpRQ

— cmorganmusic (@cmorganmusic) August 27, 2024

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway Media

NASCAR Race Schedule (Talladega, All American Speedway, Toledo Speedway)

NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, & Truck Series Plus ARCA & ARCA West

 

Talladega Superspeedway is a 2.66-mile tri-oval superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama (Address: 3366 Speedway Boulevard 35096.)

 

The track has hosted a variety of racing events since its inaugural season of racing in 1969; primarily races sanctioned by NASCAR.

 

Friday, October 4, 2024

Kick off your weekend today with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway!

 

• 1:00 p.m. ET NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Qualifying
• 4:30 p.m. ET NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race - Love's RV Stop 225

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Don't miss the NASCAR Xfinity Series returning to unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway!

 

• 11:30 a.m. ET NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying
• 1:30 p.m. ET NASCAR Cup Qualifying
• 4:00 p.m. ET NASCAR Xfinity Series Race - United Rentals 250

ARCA Series - Toledo Speedway

The ARCA Menards Series Season finale races at Toledo Speedway, a half-mile paved oval racetrack

 

• 11:45 a.m. ET ARCA Menards Series Practice
• 1:00 p.m. ET ARCA Menards Series Qualifying
• 4:10 p.m. ET ARCA Menards Race - Owens Corning 200 (200 Laps / 100 Miles)

ARCA West Series - All American Speedway

All American Speedway is a 1/3-mile NASCAR-sanctioned paved oval racetrack located in Roseville, California. The track first began operations in 1954

 

• 3:00 p.m. PT ARCA Menards West Series Practice
• 4:20 p.m. PT ARCA Menards West Series Qualifying
• 7:55 p.m. PT ARCA Menards West Series Race - NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Berco Redwood (150 Laps / 50 Miles)

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Experience the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway!

 

• 2 p.m. ET NASCAR Cup Race - YellaWood 500

Hello, beautiful. 😍 pic.twitter.com/q2rtddUwSq

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 4, 2024

The ARCA Season finale races back to @ToledoSpeedway this weekend 🏎️ with drivers seeking history and titles to wrap up the campaign at the Owens Corning 200. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/k5FZdtNcUT

— BCSN (@BCSNsports) October 4, 2024

 

source: NASCAR  / ARCA  Media

HARDY to Perform Saturday Night #NASCAR Concert

Three-time CMA Triple Play award recipient to get fans rockin’ Saturday night leading into Sunday’s YellaWood 500

 

Country-rock heavy hitter HARDY will headline Talladega Superspeedway’s Fall Saturday Night Concert Presented by Cabo Wabo© Tequila. The five-time ACM Award winner and reigning AIMP and BMI Country Songwriter of the Year will have fans amped up the evening before the YellaWood 500, which serves as the second race in the Round of 12 during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

HARDY’s second studio album, the mockingbird & THE CROW, debuted top five all genre on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, adding to over 2.7 billion career streams to date. He’s written 13 #1 singles, including his own double-platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson and most recent #1, “wait in the truck” feat. Lainey Wilson. HARDY is one of the most popular rising faces in country music with a sold-out headlining arena tour on deck this fall. He’s previously toured with superstar country artists such as Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more.

 

“HARDY is one of the most popular country artists on the rise and I have no doubt he’ll bring an energized performance for our Saturday Night Infield Concert,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton. “He’s going to bring a unique mix of southern country and rock to our fans, and we couldn’t be more excited to let him light up our stage.”

 

The action at Talladega kicks off Saturday, September 30, with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 250 during the Round of 8 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs. Then the sun sets and the party starts with HARDY’s performance for the Saturday Night Concert Presented by Cabo Wabo© Tequila.

 

Saturday’s excitement continues into Sunday with the return of the YellaWood 500 during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 at Talladega Superspeedway, as drivers prepare to tackle the iconic 33-degree banking. Admission to HARDY’s concert is free with purchase of tickets to Sunday’s race.

 

About Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three- and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

 

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series.

 

NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

 

About HARDY

Big Loud Records’ heavy-hitter HARDY has never been just one thing. Uncaging a new chapter, HARDY soared to new heights with the release of the mockingbird & THE CROW, his critically acclaimed half-country, half-rock sophomore album, adding to over 2.7 billion career streams. The dichotomous, 17-track effort debuted top five all genre on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and kinged seven additional Billboard charts in its first week, including Top Country Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Album Sales. The pride of Philadelphia, Miss. has earned his reputation as “a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive” (American Songwriter), “capable of writing the big hits for radio, obstinate enough to do something completely unexpected, and savvy enough to find the throughline for it all” (Rolling Stone). A three-time CMA Triple Play award recipient, HARDY is the reigning ACM Songwriter of the Year, the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year. HARDY has written 13 #1 singles including his own double-platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson, chart-topping, platinum Dierks Bentley + BRELAND collaboration, “Beers On Me,” and game-changing duet “wait in the truck” feat. Lainey Wilson. He’s previously toured with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more, and will headline a sold-out, nationwide arena run this fall on the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour.

 

Get ready TALLADEGA! The boldest partnership is here 🤝

Cabo Wabo Tequila is the first official tequila partner of @NASCAR and they’re ready to bring some thick cut attitude to the #GEICO500 🏁

For more drink recipes, follow along at @CaboWaboTequila. pic.twitter.com/fKPRjpYz0i

— Talladega Superspeedway (@TALLADEGA) April 23, 2023

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway Media

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Has an Off Weekend

Series begins preparations for Wild Talladega race #LovesRVStop250

 

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will have a week off to regroup and go over strategy before the competitors head to none other than Talladega Superspeedway for the Love’s RV Stop 250 (Saturday, September 30 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio).

 

The 2.66-mile superspeedway has hosted 17 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races since its inaugural CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event on October 7, 2006 – a race won by Mark Martin driving the No. 6 Roush Racing (now known as RFK) Ford. Notably, there have been 12 different race winners and 15 different pole winners.

 

Talladega has participated in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs since its inception in 2016. The 2023 season marks the third time the superspeedway has hosted the fifth race in the Playoffs (2021, 2022, and 2023). This is the third different spot that Talladega has resided on the Playoff schedule. In 2016, 2017, 2018, the track played host to the third Playoff race. In 2019, it moved to host the fourth race, but moved back to the first-round elimination race in 2020.

 

All 7 previous Playoff races at Talladega have been won by non-Playoff drivers.

 

NCTS Playoff Race Winners at Talladega (2016-2022)

1. 10/22/2026 - Grant Enfinger
2. 10/14/2017 Parker Kligerman
3. 10/13/2018 Timothy Peters
4. 10/12/2019 Spencer Boyd
5. 10/03/2020 Raphael Lessard
6. 10/02/2021 Tate Fogleman
7. 10/01/2022 Matt DiBenedetto

 

source: NASCAR Media

.@CoreyHeim_ is headed @phoenixraceway!

Three #Championship4 spots open and two races to get there. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/9FIHkb0ZCM

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2023

NASCAR & ARCA Race Weekend Recap

Winners: Chase Elliott (Cup); AJ Allmendinger (Xfinity); Matt DiBenedetto (Trucks) Sammy Smith (ARCA Menard) plus Cole Moore (ARCA West)

 

 

NASCAR Cup

Chase Elliott’s win at Talladega & Advances to Round of 8

 

Always the unquestionable fan favorite at NASCAR’s  famed Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Georgia-native Chase Elliott made a last-lap pass to claim the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 victory Sunday afternoon — having to better one of his best friends, Ryan Blaney, to earn the first automatic bid into the next round of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

With two laps to go, Elliott pulled his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet from the bottom lane to the top lane and got a huge push from behind by Petty GMS Racing driver Erik Jones — the momentum enough to edge fellow playoff competitor Blaney by a slight 0.046 seconds at the line and give him a chance to hoist his series-best fifth trophy of the season; 18th of his seven-year NASCAR Cup Series career.

 

“Moments like that, you have to really cherish and you guys are what makes this special to me,” Elliott, 26, told the cheering fans. “So, thank you sincerely, I really appreciate it.”

“It was a wild last couple laps. I wasn’t super crazy about being on the bottom and fortunately I got just clear enough off of [Turn] 2 to slide up in front of Erik [Jones] and he gave me some great shoves, obviously a Team Chevy partner there. Just had a good enough run to get out front and then was able to stay far enough in front of Ryan [Blaney] at the line to get it done.

“These things are so so hard to win, you gotta enjoy them and just appreciate everyone’s effort today.”

 

I wanna go fast@theNAPAnetwork | #di9 | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WtgDExTk6H

— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) October 2, 2022

Pole: Christopher Bell

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on 10/09/2022 for the the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. 

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

AJ Allmendinger Wins Playoff Race in Photo Finish

 

Three times A.J. Allmendinger has led the white flag lap on a superspeedway track and not been able to lead that next lap to earn the big trophy.

 

On Saturday, the veteran waited and pulled ahead of the field in the final feet coming to the Sparks 300 checkered flag at Talladega Superspeedway and edged 19-year old Sam Mayer by .015 seconds – about three feet — in a photo finish to earn his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win at NASCAR’s biggest track.

 

“Let’s go,” an absolutely elated Allmendinger screamed into the grandstands after climbing out of his car and accepting the checkered flag at the iconic track.

“Gosh, we’ve been so close to winning one (superspeedway race) and I feel like I keep giving them away,” Allmendinger said. “Thought I might have given it away. I’m still learning, trying to know what too big of a lead is. But honestly, all credit to (Kaulig teammate) Landon Cassill.

“He kept shoving me. He stuck with me. That’s what is great about Kaulig Racing. When you have teammates like Landon and Daniel (Hemric) that you know wherever you go, they’ll go with you. So thank you Landon.

“Man, I just wanted to win a superspeedway and finally got it,” added a grinning Allmendinger, who now claims 14 career Xfinity Series victories.

A CLASSIC @TALLADEGA FINISH! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0rncMW3wBw

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 1, 2022

Pole: Austin Hill

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on 10/08/2022 for the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. 

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Matt DiBenedetto scores first Truck Series win at Talladega

 

It took a lot of last lap gumption on the Talladega Superspeedway high banks and an official “race finish review” afterward, but longtime competitor Matt DiBenedetto earned his first NASCAR national series race victory in Saturday’s Chevy Silverado 250 Camping World Truck Series race.

 

Because the race ended under caution, NASCAR officials reviewed video to determine who was leading when an accident froze the field coming to the checkered flag. Ultimately, it marked the first and only lap the former NASCAR Cup Series driver DiBenedetto had ever led in the truck series – and it delivered his first trophy.

 

It marked the fifth consecutive Talladega truck race that the winner led only the last lap.

 

“Oh man, it’s been such a long time coming,” said DiBenedetto, who recently renewed his contract with the No. 25 Rackley WAR Chevrolet team. “I’m so thankful.

“It just seems so surreal,” DiBenedetto added before offering good wishes to fellow driver Jordan Anderson, who was transported to the hospital after an accident on Lap 19.

“I think my heart rate was higher waiting for that than [taking] the white flag.”

pic.twitter.com/j9HS8puVSL

— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) October 3, 2022

Pole: John H. Nemechek

Click Here for Race Results 

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on 10/22/2022 for the Baptist Health Cancer Care 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. 

 

 

ARCA Menard

Sammy Smith Leads Them All for Dominant Victory

 

Dominant performances have become the norm for Sammy Smith in 2022. 

 

The status quo remained in place during the Herr’s Snacks 200 at Salem Speedway on Saturday afternoon, as Smith led every lap to claim his eighth victory between the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East this season. 

 

Despite having never seen Salem prior to the weekend, Smith never once doubted that his car would be the strongest yet again once the green flag waved.

 

 “[It all comes down to] preparation,” Smith said. “[Salem] is pretty close to Winchester [Speedway] as well, but it was a good day overall and I’m glad we were able to win.” 

It was a perfect day at @Salem_Speedway for @sammysmithSS.

After starting on pole, Smith led every single lap for his eighth win between ARCA and ARCA East this year. https://t.co/EEA7UIRiwv pic.twitter.com/OVC7Dm3mTX

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) October 1, 2022

Pole: Sammy Smith

Click Here for Race Results 

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on 10/08/2022 for the Shore Lunch 200 at Toledo Speedway for their season finale. 

 

 

ARCA -West

Cole Moore Wins His First West Series Race

 

Cole Moore surely wishes his first ARCA Menards Series West win would have come at some point within his first 17 starts over the last two years. He had come so close to Victory Lane on so many occasions.

 

But it’s also hard to imagine a more perfect time and place for that first victory than the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Berco Redwood on Saturday night at All American Speedway in Roseville California.

 

Moore, the 25-year-old who grew up in Granite Bay, California, just a short drive from the third-mile bullring of an oval, notched his first West Series victory with a convincing performance at his home track. And he did so with his father John Moore in the field as a competitor.

 

“That was a tough one,” Cole said of the closing laps. “I had Jake [Drew] right there with me at the end. Those top restarts, it was risky. I knew he could send it in and hit me, but he drove me clean. We had a great car. Shoutout to Bill McAnally Racing. First win of the year for me; first of my career. I’m so happy.”

WINNER: @cole_moore20 with the sweet pass for second! pic.twitter.com/T6vYDZ93TI

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 28, 2022

Pole: Jake Drew

Click Here for Race Results
   Next Race: The ARCA Series West will return on 10/14/2022 for the Star Nursery 150 at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor.

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Talladega SuperSpeedway & DuQuoin State Fairgrounds )

Winners: Ross Chastain (Cup); Noah Gragson (Xfinity); Nick Sanchez (ARCA Series) plus Landen Lewis (ARCA Series West) 

 

 

NASCAR Cup

Ross Chastain Converts Last-Lap Pass, Wins Talladega Thriller

 

One lap. That’s all it took for Ross Chastain to drop a watermelon and raise a trophy in celebration. The 29-year-old Floridian led only the last — typically frantic — lap in the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday to take his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory.

 

Chastain was running third behind Erik Jones and Kyle Larson with one lap remaining. Larson pulled out of line to the outside, poised to make a pass for the lead. But Jones pulled in front of Larson to block the momentum while Chastain kept his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet steady below them maintaining pace, ultimately pulling away to the win as the other two cars lost momentum battling each other.

 

“Holy cow, we didn’t do anything,’’ Chastain yelled on his team radio after taking the checkered flag by a mere 0.105 seconds. “We just stayed down there.’’

 

Appreciation.

1 million @MooseFraternity members, America’s 🍉 farmers, all the men and women at Trackhouse. These wins are for all of us. @TeamTrackhouse @TeamChevy @WatermelonBoard #WatermelonEveryday | #FeelWhole pic.twitter.com/HCzdWHaGqv

— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) April 25, 2022

 

Pole: Christopher Bell

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, May 1 for the DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne at Dover Motor Speedway.

 

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Noah Gragson Holds Off Jeffrey Earnhardt, Wins in Talladega Overtime

 

It was an Earnhardt Saturday in Earnhardt country.

 

Grabbing the lead on a restart in the third overtime, Noah Gragson  — driving for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports — won the Ag-Pro 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

Gragson beat Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, who was driving a black No. 3 Chevrolet in a special appearance for Richard Childress Racing, which fielded Dale Sr.’s car during his heyday.

 

“This team at JR Motorsports, they never quit,” Gragson said. “We’ve had a kind of a rough last month, just not getting the finishes that we wanted … I couldn’t make moves on the top there very much at the beginning of the race, so I just kept running the bottom — running the bottom — and we‘d get shuffled back and keep moving back up.

 

“I‘m living the dream here — I‘m just so thankful to get this opportunity,” said Earnhardt, whose crew chief, FOX Sports broadcaster Larry McReynolds, was serving his first stint on a pit box since 2000. “Thanks to RCR for building this amazing race car. We were fast all weekend long. “We just fell a little short there, but congrats to Noah. He‘s good at plate races.”

 

Great race today @NoahGragson! https://t.co/ZzKF4Qh9PE

— Bass Pro Shops (@BassProShops) April 23, 2022

 

Pole: Jeffrey Earnhardt

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, Apr. 30 for the A-GAME 200 at Dover Motor Speedway.

 

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, May 6 for the Dead On Tools 200 at Darlington Raceway.

 

 

 

ARCA

Nick Sanchez Slips Through to Steal Victory at Talladega for Second ARCA Menards Series Win

 

When Nick Sanchez got shuffled out of the lead pack with 11 laps to go in Saturday’s General Tire 200, it appeared his shot at winning at Talladega Superspeedway was over.

 

Two laps later, Sanchez made a daring, three-wide move to take the race lead moments before a caution flag waved to end the race early, allowing him to claim his second ARCA Menards Series victory dating back to last year and first of the 2022 season.

 

The ARCA Menards Series race at Talladega ended nine laps early so Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race could start on time. Prior to a restart with 13 laps left, teams were informed that the next flag – checkered or caution – would end the race.

 

“They told me the last caution was going to end it, so I was driving pretty aggressive just trying to get to the front before someone wrecked,” Sanchez said.

 

“It was kind of every man for himself right there,” Sanchez said. “Me and my Max Siegel No. 2 did great. Thank you Max Siegel, everyone from NASCAR Drive for Diversity and Team Chevy.”

 

Rev'd up for the #GeneralTire200 victory 🏆@Nicksanchez080 | @RevRacin pic.twitter.com/CFdiBTuvPX

— Talladega Superspeedway (@TALLADEGA) April 25, 2022

 

Pole: Drew Dollar

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, May 14 for the Dutch Boy 150 at Kansas Speedway.

 

 

 

ARCA - West

Landen Lewis Leans on Mentor Ron Hornaday Jr.’s Advice, Wins West Series Debut at Kern County

 

Less than a year after winning in just his second ARCA Menards Series appearance at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in Illinois, Lewis managed to take home a checkered flag in his ARCA Menards Series West debut Saturday evening in the Salute to the Oil Industry NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, California.

 

Although Kern County is more than 2,500 miles away from his hometown of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, Lewis quickly took a liking to the half-mile facility during the weekend and is eager to make more trips to the West Coast following his victory.

 

“I’m kind of speechless at the moment,” Lewis said in Victory Lane. “This place is pretty freaking awesome, and I’m definitely going to be making a trip back while also running on the West tour some more.”

 

Hear from @landenlewis99 after his @ARCA_Racing West win @KernRaceway in the #NAPAAUTOPARTS150 pic.twitter.com/XKP8z1AMmu

— Steven Blakesley (@StevenBlakesley) April 24, 2022

 

Pole: P.J. Pedroncelli

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, June 4 for the Portland 100 at Portland International Raceway.

 

Superstar Racing Experience

Next Race: The SRX Series will return on 06/18/2022 for the SRX Series Season Opener at Five Flags Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Bubba Wallace Returns to Track of First Cup Victory

Wallace to Start 9th GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

 

Bubba Wallace earned his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway in last fall’s YellaWood 500, yet the driver of the No. 23 23XI Toyota said he can’t help but re-live the huge moment in his career. Often. And it is a huge motivation this week.

 

“To be honest with you, I sit here and think about it a lot and people put so much emphasis on the win,’’ said Wallace, who advanced to final round qualifying and will start ninth for Sunday’s race.

 

“We talk about it, talk about it, talk about it and it builds up. I just like to keep it low key under the radar. That’s how I like to roll about life. Some people may disagree, but it is special to be here. I’m excited.

 

“I know how good our speedway cars are and if [spotter] Freddie [Kraft] and I do what we can do at these speedway races like we’ve been doing then, I know we will have a shot to win. It’s a team effort. … As long as we stay in the race and maintain where we are at and just have a fighting chance, it will be a good day.

 

“That’s what I look forward to the most.’’

 

We’re back. pic.twitter.com/f2AX8VRwP2

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) April 23, 2022

 

 

source: Talladega SuperSpeedway

Christopher Bell Wins KLĒNSKIN Pole

With Martin Truex Jr., it is a Joe Gibbs Racing Front Row

 

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell earned his second career top-starting spot with a lap of 180.92 mph during KLĒNSKIN Pole Qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday morning – just edging his teammate Martin Truex Jr., by a scant .081-second.

 

Now that’s a good looking front row!#TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/uua62G8ea9

— Toyota Racing (@ToyotaRacing) April 23, 2022

 

The all-JGR Toyota front row marks the first time the team has swept top qualifying honors (in a qualifying session) at the 2.66-mile venue. The teammates will lead the field to green in Sunday’s GEICO 500 (3 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

“I can’t say I got anything [picking up speed] that was all my crew guys. I’m just very thankful to be in the position I am driving for Joe Gibbs Racing,’’ said Bell, whose best Talladega finish in four starts is fifth in last fall’s race.

 

“We’ve got a great team and this one is a pretty big thank you to [executive] Andy Graves at TRD (Toyota Racing Development). We ride him pretty hard, but I’ll give this engine a 10, Andy.’’

 

Asked if he thought the wind gusts at the track ultimately made a difference in his pole-winning speed, the 27-year-old smiled and said, “it didn’t hurt.’’

 

“Even from the first round to the second round I could tell my RPMs picked up really big going down the back straightaway then they were pretty flat going down the front straightaway, so I don’t’ know if it was an advantage to me, but definitely didn’t hurt,’’ said Bell, whose previous pole position came in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

The 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Hemric – held the top qualifying position until the final two cars in the second round (Truex and Bell) and will start third in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. Daniel Suárez was fourth fastest in the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson was fifth fastest in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports. None of these top-five qualifiers has ever won a NASCAR Cup Series race at the track.

 

Toyota drivers Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet’s William Byron, Toyota’s Bubba Wallace and Chevrolet’s Tyler Reddick rounded out the top-10 for Sunday’s grid.

 

Of note, the top qualifying Ford driver was Joey Logano, who will roll off 13th in the No. 22 Team Penske Mustang on Sunday. Defending race winner, Brad Keselowski will start his No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Ford from 15th position on the grid.

 

Keselowski is the winningest driver in the field with six victories.

 

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway

Dash 4 Cash Continues at ‘Dega

The AG-Pro 300

 

• Next Race: Ag-Pro 300  
• The Place: Talladega Superspeedway  
• The Date: Saturday, April 23  
• The Time: 4 p.m. ET  
• The Purse: $1,475,583  
• TV: FOX, 3 p.m. ET  
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio  
• Distance: 300.58 miles (113 Laps) 
• Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 25) 
• Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 50) 
• Final Stage (Ends on Lap 113)

 

The NASCAR Xfinity Series returns after a week off to compete in the Ag-Pro 300 this Saturday, April 23 at Talladega Superspeedway (4 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

 

Today’s race marks the third round of the Dash 4 Cash incentive with $100,000 on the line to the top finishing driver Saturday among these four: Brandon Jones, Landon Cassill, AJ Allmendinger and Austin Hill.

 

Jeb Burton earned his career first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in the Ag-Pro 300 last year, leading the final nine laps and ultimately holding off Austin Cindric, current series points leader A.J. Allmendinger, Riley Herbst, Ryan Sieg and Noah Gragson.

 

It’s race Day in Talladega! pic.twitter.com/n9m0PdNxSJ

— Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) April 23, 2022

 

Burton, who now drives the No. 27 Our Motorsports Chevrolet, would love to back up his victory with his first top-10 finish of the year – and first for his new team – at Talladega this weekend. However, he can expect typically tight competition, among multiple drivers and the kind of last lap drama that has long characterized the speedway and made this one of the most thrilling races of the season.

 

The top-four finishing eligible drivers at Talladega will then race for the final $100,000 courtesy of Xfinity – when the series competes at the “Monster Mile,” Dover Motor Speedway next week. Allmendinger and Jones each pocketed one of the two $100,000 bonuses already awarded this season.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

An Earnhardt on Pole for #NASCAR Xfinity

Jeffrey Earnhardt Wins Pole For Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega

 

Jeffrey Earnhardt too full advantage of a career opportunity Friday when he captured the pole position for the Ag-Pro 300 (3 p.m. CDT on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at Talladega Superspeedway – the first time he sat behind the wheel of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing  Chevrolet

 

An Earnhardt on the pole once again! pic.twitter.com/eP1zFyQtzG

— RCR (@RCRracing) April 22, 2022

 

It was announced just last week that the grandson of 10-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt, Sr. would get a one-race deal with RCR (his first ever with the team), and it would be in a No. 3 – that his “grandpa” made famous.

 

“I tell ya this is unbelievable man,” said an emotional Earnhardt. “This is a dream of mine for years, to get to this opportunity and everything is falling into place. The good Lord is taking care of us. Everyone from ForeverLawn have supported me tremendously. All the guys at RCR, man, all I’ve got to do is hold a pretty wheel. They’ve proven time and time again they bring fast cars to the superspeedways. Not a bad starting spot. We’re going to try to keep ‘er there all race and hopefully put it in victory lane.”

 

 

For Childress, whose No. 3 that Earnhardt, Sr., collected nine of those triumphs, it was extra special. “To see that 3 car back on the track with an Earnhardt in it, it’s kind of touching to me anyway because I was always a big Earnhardt fan. And this is Earnhardt country…pretty amazing.”

'@JEarnhardt1, grandson of Dale Earnhardt, earned his first career pole award Friday night at @TALLADEGA.

Earnhardt said he hopes to give fans something to cheer about in Saturday's @NASCAR_Xfinity Series race. pic.twitter.com/vVJvvk0Idr

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) April 22, 2022

 

Jeffrey’s best-career result in the NASCAR Xfinity Series came in 2019 when was third at Charlotte in a Joe Gibbs Racing machine. His best at ’Dega is a 12th (2015). Hoping for his first career triumph, he will have FOX analyst Larry McReynolds serving as his crew chief. McReynolds, before he started his stint with FOX in 2001, had 23 victories as a crew chief, including the 1998 DAYTONA 500 with Dale Sr. at the wheel.

 

For the first time in over 21 years, I just boarded a plane as a crew chief headed to @TALLADEGA Pumped to be back with @RCRracing and a #3 car with @JEarnhardt1 Qualifying on @FS1 at 5:30pm/ET Today! #NASCAR

— Larry McReynolds (@LarryMac28) April 22, 2022

 

RCR took three of the fop-four spots with Austin Hill second and Sheldon Creed fourth. Ty Gibbs was third and Daniel Hemric fifth.

 

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway https://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/news-media/2022/04/23/earnhardt-jeffrey-that-is-on-pole-for-ag-pro-300-at-talladega/