Carson Hocevar’s Unusual Victory Celebration

Explained in His Own Words

Carson Hocevar commemorates his Talladega Superspeedway win
 and celebration with a unique burnout session after driving
down the frontstretch, sitting outside of the driver window.

 

    

Fitting for his first career NASCAR Cup Series win, Carson Hocevar turned in an ultra-original victory celebration sitting on the window ledge of his No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet while driving around the massive 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway,  soaking up the emotions that will forever define and reward his first victory lap.

 

Question: People many years from now will be talking about your celebration. Can you take us through how you planned this?

 

CARSON HOCEVAR: It wasn’t clean by any means. It took me a while. I don’t know if the TV saw it, but I felt like I was really close to the inside wall and I did not have that steering wheel on, so I was panicking for a second.

 

I’ve dreamt about that in the off-season. I just wanted to have something that was meaningful for me. I mean, obviously being a Jr. fan, I remember that iconic clip, he was inside the car, helmet off, enjoying the fans going backwards.

 

But the fans, they don’t really get to know if they hear ’em or see ’em and everything. So I had thought of just like, Man, I have really long legs, I wonder if I can hit the throttle and sit on the door and ride, just kind of see everybody. I just wanted them to get as loud as possible. I felt like they would if they could see me seeing them.

 

Yeah, I mean, ultimately I just wanted to make sure I soaked every bit of it in. I think I could tell you what everybody was wearing, where every seat was, where every 77 shirt was. I think I could have pointed it all out to you because I remember it so clearly right now. That means more than anything else to me, just that I know this has been a blur. I could tell you exactly just off turn four, it was like, I have it, to right now, I could tell you every second.

 

Question: You were standing up?

 

CARSON HOCEVAR: No, I was sitting on the door. I had my left foot… What I had to do is I couldn’t get — I couldn’t twist my foot around with the steering wheel on to drop the clutch. I had to drop the clutch with the wheel off.

 

So I had the wheel off, I dropped the clutch, and I was hustling to get the wheel on. And I got the wheel on, turned around. So it just kind of idled for me. And then as I felt more comfortable riding on the door, I was just kind of moving the steering wheel a little bit, stayed straight. Then I started giving it gas. Yeah, that’s how I did it.

 

I was really worried about how I was going to hit the wall and do the burnout against it. It wasn’t that hard of a hit. Just burned it down. I wanted to at least burn it down next to the deal. That was the biggest thing. It took me a while to figure out how to do it. Once I did it, I haven’t had a phone, I haven’t seen anything, hopefully it was cool.

 

Well, Carson . . . you are not my favorite driver, but that was COOL!

 

 

THAT’S HOW YOU RIDE THE DENTE!!!!! @CarsonHocevar @SpireMotorsport https://t.co/uyUolX6HFT

— Chili's Grill & Bar (@Chilis) April 26, 2026

 

source: NASCAR Media

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Talladega)

Winners: Carson Hocevar (Cup); Corey Day (O'Reilly); plus Andy Jankowiak (ARCA)

NASCAR Cup

Carson Hocevar Earns First Career Cup Win in Talladega Thriller

 

Carson Hocevar earned the first victory of his NASCAR Cup Series career, outdueling Chris Buescher with a last-lap pass at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.

 

Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, joined Ty Gibbs (who won two weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway), as the second first-time winner this season.

 

“I’m so thankful. This is the biggest dream I’ve ever thought of,” Hocevar said after a thrilling celebration. “Thank you, everybody. I couldn’t have done it in any better way. Hopefully my grandpa’s watching. My grandma died last year, so I’m so thankful that I can give my grandpa a trophy now. Wish my parents were here. All thanks to (team co-owner) Jeff Dickerson. Heat Wave (sponsor). Everybody is here. Unbelievable. I’m just so thankful, thank you.”

Hocevar, who has made headlines for angering veterans with aggressive moves, won in his 91st start in NASCAR’s premier series. The 23-year-old from Portage, Michigan, used a drafting push from Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet to edge past Buescher’s No. 17 Ford by 0.114 seconds.

 

Chase Elliott and Zane Smith unofficially completed the top five after a crash coming to the checkered flag unfolded in the tri-oval. Contact between Ryan Preece, Austin Dillon, Christopher Bell and Shane van Gisbergen ended the event after a three-lap dash to the finish.

 

HE IS DRIVING THE CAR AND CELEBRATING WITH THE FANS ... AT THE SAME TIME!!! pic.twitter.com/8DaQUd6pbl

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 26, 2026

Pole: Tyler Reddick (Lineup Set By Rulebook Metric)

Click Here for Unofficial Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 3:30 pm ET for the ‘Würth 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY’ at Texas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

Corey Day Wins First Career O’Reilly Race

Hendrick Motorsports drivers Corey Day (left) and Kyle Larson (middle)
celebrate with spotter Tyler Monn (right).

 

Corey Day claimed the first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory of his career Saturday afternoon, driving to the yellow and checkered flags in the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway — his No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet leading only the last lap to earn his first trophy in his first full-time season.

 

The 20-year-old Californian sprint car driver delivered the multi-time Cup Series championship-winning Hendrick team its first O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory at Talladega and this weekend earned a win for a special “guest” crew member, former NFL great Jason Kelce, who dressed out in Hendrick blue and helped transport tires for the team on pit road Saturday.

 

“I sure as heck didn’t think it [first win] would be at a superspeedway,” said a grinning Day, who also won a sprint car race in Nebraska earlier this week. “My 17 guys just built a rocket ship.

 

“I feel like we’ve been close, had a good day at Rockingham and had a couple other good days and just didn’t finish it off, so this is super cool.”

 

We hope this is the first of many for @corey_day_. pic.twitter.com/AZAW9AdBlX

— NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (@NASCAROReillyAP) April 25, 2026

Pole: Jesse Love

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will return on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 3:30 pm ET for the ‘Andy's Frozen Custard 340’ at Texas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series did not race this weekend

We're happy to have you back in a truck, @CBellRacing. pic.twitter.com/nSSzjj1ISn

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) April 11, 2026

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:00 pm ET for the ‘SpeedyCash.com 250’ at Texas Motor Speedway.

ARCA

Andy Jankowiak Wins His First ARCA Menards Series Race

 

A bold move from Andy Jankowiak around the outside of Cleetus McFarland and Gus Dean at Talladega Superspeedway propelled him to his first career ARCA Menards Series victory on Saturday afternoon.

 

Amidst the chaos of the situation, Jankowiak stayed in the throttle, not knowing the overtime attempt was just one lap.

 

When reality did set in, the emotions quickly overwhelmed Jankowiak, who has worked tirelessly during the 2020s to find sustainability on the ARCA Menards Series platform. Jankowiak initially did this through his own program before becoming the primary driver for KLAS Motorsports after they purchased the operation.

 

“I thought there was one more lap,” Jankowiak said. “The radio was super staticky. I’m still waiting to wake up here. Everything that got me to ARCA and everything that’s come after with [co-owners] Kevin Lapierre, Andy Seuss and Mike Dayton, there’s never been more of a team effort standing in Victory Lane at Talladega.

 

“What an adventure.”

 

WHAT A FINSH AT ‘DEGA! 🤯

📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/SSMgs5MSAg

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) April 25, 2026

Pole: Gio Ruggiero (Field Set by 2026 Owner Points)

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The ARCA Menard Series East will return on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. CT for the ‘Cook Out Music City 150’ at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

Next Race: The ARCA Menard Series West will return on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. PT for the ‘Bill Schmitt Memorial 173 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame’ at Shasta Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR  and ARCA Media

Talladega Superspeedway #NASCAR / #ARCA Race Schedule

ARCA and O’Reilly’s on Saturday / Cup on Sunday

 

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series spring weekend at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for April 24–26, 2026, featuring the Jack Link's 500 on Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

 

The weekend includes ARCA Menards Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series racing.

 

2026 Talladega Weekend Schedule (April 24-26)

Friday, April 24, 2026

• 3:30 p.m. ET: ARCA Practice
• 5:30 p.m. ET: O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying (CW App)

Saturday, April 25, 2026

• 10:30 a.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Prime Video)
• 12:30 p.m.: ARCA Series Race (FS1)
• 4:00 p.m.: O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Race (CW)

Sunday, April 24, 2026

• 3:00 p.m.: Jack Link's 500 Cup Series Race (FOX)

All Times are Eastern Time (ET)

 

At @TALLADEGA, it's not over until the checkered flag flies. pic.twitter.com/0lGIH2c6Zn

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2026

 

source: NASCAR Media

Big One on the Boulevard Returns

to Talladega Spring Race Weekend

 Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a driver parade and on-stage games with guests of honor

Big One on the Boulevard returns to Talladega Superspeedway  for the spring Jack Link’s 500 race weekend. Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a driver parade followed by on-stage games with guests of honor.

 

“The Big One on the Boulevard kicks off the weekend with an infield party that brings fans closer to their favorite drivers and the excitement that makes Talladega so special,” said Josh Harris, Region President, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway. “The energy of the parade and interactive games on stage creates an interactive experience for our fans and drivers that you can only have here.”

 

Big One on the Boulevard will kick off on Friday, April 24th at 7:30 p.m. CT with the parade down Talladega Boulevard. The parade will include driver parade vehicles carrying famed NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series drivers.

 

Immediately following the parade, fans are encouraged to head to the stage behind Infield 5 Points Bar, where the NASCAR Wide Open Trax DJ team and NASCAR TV Host Daryl Motte will be ready to provide an exciting and interactive game show. Several drivers will be introduced as guests of honor including Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Connor Zilisch, Noah Gragson, Cleetus McFarland and more.

 

Hell yeah, brother!

The Big One on the BLVD is back! pic.twitter.com/mGXXD2WlZm

— Talladega Superspeedway (@TALLADEGA) April 3, 2026

The drivers will select a fan from the crowd to join them on-stage in games with the chance to win prizes. Fan and driver teams will be competing for the grand prize of garage and pit passes, allowing for even closer access to the action at Talladega Superspeedway. To conclude the evening, Tailgate Revival will perform an hour-long live show.

 

The spring race weekend action at Talladega Superspeedway kicks off on Saturday, April 25, with a doubleheader. The ARCA Menards Series will hit the track in the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 at 12:30 p.m. ET followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 at 4:00 p.m. ET. On Sunday, April 26, the NASCAR Cup Series stars will duke it out during the Jack Link’s 500 to close out the weekend at 3:00 p.m. ET. 

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway Media

#NASCAR Race Recap (Talladega)

Winners: Chase Briscoe (Cup); Austin Hill (Xfinity); Gio Ruggiero (Trucks)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Briscoe Wins Talladega Thriller, Clinches Championship 4 Spot

 

In a typically dramatic push to the Talladega Superspeedway checkered flag, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe made a last-lap pass on the frantic field to claim victory in Sunday’s YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race and earn his first-ever shot at the season title.

 

The 30-year-old Indiana native Briscoe will join his JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who won last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, leaving the final two positions in the Championship 4 to be decided in next week’s Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway.

 

Briscoe thanked another JGR teammate, however, 23-year-old Ty Gibbs, for the push forward on the final lap Sunday that resulted in his first-ever superspeedway win, 0.145 seconds over Front Row Motorsports’ driver Todd Gilliland and Gibbs, neither of whom is among the eight-driver playoff field.

 

The runner-up showing was a career best for Gilliland.

 

“Ty Gibbs, just an incredible teammate there,” said an emotional Briscoe, who stood on his No. 19 JGR Toyota waving his arms to the cheering crowd. “I honestly would not have won that race without Ty. It was an amazing team effort. I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I’ve never done it at any level.”

 

“It’s not hit me, we’re going to Phoenix,” a grinning Briscoe said of the championship opportunity he now has after leading only 16 laps Sunday, but the most important final one.

 

“Absolutely [a dream come true]. So thankful that the Lord’s blessed me, opening doors and closing doors at times, but certainly opening an incredible door for me here at Joe Gibbs Racing. … Even today, I just had such a ‘peace’ and normally I’m scared to death, nervous around this place, but today, just had such a peace.”

 

Todd Gilliland finished second; Ty Gibbs placed third; Bubba Wallace came in fourth and Cole Custer completed the top five.

 

CHASE BRISCOE IS A @TALLADEGA WINNER! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/pwfiMdP9w1

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 19, 2025

Pole: Michael McDowell

Click Here for Race Results 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET for the ‘Xfinity 500’ at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Austin Hill Completes Talladega Sweep with Xfinity Series Win

 

Once again, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill proved himself the driver to beat on NASCAR’s big drafting-style tracks, the veteran holding off the field on a dramatic overtime restart with two laps remaining at Talladega Superspeedway to earn the victory in Saturday’s United Rentals 250.

 

Hill’s No. 21 RCR Chevrolet led a race-best 48 of the 100 laps to earn a season sweep at the 2.66-mile speedway, NASCAR’s biggest track. The 31-year-old Georgia native claimed both stage wins and the .105-second victory over JR Motorsports playoff driver Carson Kvapil. The victory now gives him 10 wins at drafting style tracks – having already eclipsed the previous record set by NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart, who each had eight victories on that style of track.

 

Although Hill has been eliminated from contention for the Xfinity driver’s title, his win Saturday does guarantee his RCR team a car in the 2025 owner’s championship.

 

“If you have any questions and it’s green-white-checkered, you probably just go to the bottom [of the track] because of how crazy the second and third lane was there at the end,” an elated Hill said after climbing down from the hood of his Chevy, where he waved his hands and encouraged the huge crowd’s loud reaction.

 

“Being able to race for Richard Childress is always special, and to be able to deliver wins like this,” Hill continued. “As the playoff started and us getting knocked out the way we did, it stung a lot, but once we knew we were still in it for the owner’s championship, I decided I’d do it just like I would going for a driver’s championship.

 

“To be able to lock ourselves in and go to Phoenix knowing we’re going for an owner’s championship and be able to try and deliver one to Richard Childress Racing means the world to me.”

 

Carson Kvapil finished second; Justin Allgaier placed third; Christian Eckes came in fourth and Caesar Bacarella completed the top five.

 

This win is good enough to eat!@_AustinHill's Victory Burnout is presented by @krispykreme. 🍩 pic.twitter.com/0jYBD67kIG

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 18, 2025

Pole: Jesse Love

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the ‘IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250’ at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

Gio Ruggiero Scores First Career Truck Series Win

 

Rookie Gio Ruggiero capped a typically dramatic afternoon of racing on the Talladega Superspeedway high banks with the 19-year-old’s first career trip to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Victory Lane in Friday’s Love’s RV Stop 225.

 

Though not in the playoffs, Ruggiero held off his Tricon Garage teammate and current championship leader Corey Heim in a two-lap overtime duel to the checkered flag, his No. 17 Toyota leading the way by a mere .059 seconds. The effort rewarded an absolutely strong day for the young driver, who won pole position and led a race-best 37 of the 90 laps.

 

“Super thankful all the guys on this 17 truck, they worked their butts off today and definitely brought the best piece today,” the Massachusetts driver Ruggiero said. “We showed it in qualifying and throughout the race there that we had the fastest piece. Thanks to Toyota and everybody who supports me. Great to win a race with my mom and dad here.”

 

Corey Heim finished second; Ty Majeski placed third; Dawson Sutton came in fourth and Layne Riggs completed the top five.

 

Your first one just means more 🙌 pic.twitter.com/csoQM9jdqI

— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) October 17, 2025

Pole: Gio Ruggiero

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 6:00 pm ET for the ‘Slim Jim 200’ at Martinsville Speedway.

ARCA

ARCA was off track this Weekend

The ARCA Menard Series (AMS) and ARCA Menard East Series (AMES) have concluded their 2025 Season. Brenden Queen won the AMS Championship while Isaac Kitzmiller captured the top spot in the AES

 

Climbing up the ladder.@03Butterbean will join @KauligRacing's new @RamTrucks team in 2026! pic.twitter.com/GHAtxIh5eD

— NASCAR Regional (@NASCARRegional) October 16, 2025

Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Saturday, November1, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. MT for the ‘Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100’ at Phoenix Raceway. This will be the last ARCA race of the 2025 Season..

 

source: NASCAR Media

Miss Alabama Emma Terry Named Honorary Pace Car Driver

For Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

 

Talladega Superspeedway announced that reigning Miss Alabama Emma Terry will serve as the honorary pace car driver for Sunday’s YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race.

 

Congratulations to Miss Alabama 2025, Emma Terry, on finishing as 4th runner-up in last night's Miss America competition. She was just at our Commission meeting last month! What a great representative for our community! pic.twitter.com/hvouj770nu

— Jefferson County, AL (@JeffCoToday) September 8, 2025

Terry, a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was crowned Miss Alabama earlier this year and went on to finish as the fourth runner-up to Miss America last month. She was also selected as the second runner-up for the Quality of Life Award presented by Miss America, which recognizes delegates whose community service initiatives exemplify impact, innovation, and lasting commitment.

 

“We’re so proud to have Emma representing the state as Miss Alabama and share in her passion for serving others,” said Brian Crichton, Talladega Superspeedway President. “Emma has a genuine love of NASCAR, and with her drive to make lives better for those in the community, she’s the perfect person to lead the field to green for Sunday’s big race!”

 

During her tenure as Miss Alabama, Terry’s community service initiative is Stomping Out ALS One Step at a Time. Her service focus is dedicated to her grandfather, Stewart Simpson, who battled ALS. He also inspired her passion for NASCAR, making her role as honorary pace car driver that much more poignant to her and her family.

 

“As Miss Alabama, I’m thrilled to join thousands of fans in celebrating the history and energy of Talladega Superspeedway,” said Terry. “Experiencing Talladega in person for the first time-the largest oval track in NASCAR, known for its speed, excitement, and incredible fan traditions-is truly unforgettable. For me, this is more than just a race; it’s an opportunity to honor my grandfather’s memory and celebrate a sport that we enjoyed watching on television before ALS took him from us.”

 

In addition to her philanthropic endeavors, Terry is an accomplished dancer, having trained extensively with Exclusively Ballet, Birmingham Dance Theatre, and the Alabama Ballet. She was recognized with a Preliminary Talent Award and Scholarship at the 2025 Miss Alabama Competition.

 

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway Media

Talladega #NASCAR Cup Drivers to Watch

#NASCARPlayoffs | #YellaWood500

The NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series continue the playoff action this weekend in Alabama, each continuing their respective Round of 8s at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

Below is a list of Cup driver to keep your eye on:

 

Tyler Reddick: The No. 45 23XI Racing driver won the 2024 spring Talladega race and has three top 10s in 11 Talladega Cup starts. 

He’s also finished top six in four of the last nine races on superspeedways.

 

Of course, the health of his baby son, Rookie has to be a negative distraction.

 

Morning prayer has Rookie Reddick on the top of the list.💙
From Alexa DeLeon Reddick Instagram. pic.twitter.com/Il5xpwSnZ2

— Claire B Lang (@ClaireBLang) October 15, 2025

Austin Cindric: While no longer in the Cup playoffs, Cindric is arguably NASCAR’s current best superspeedway driver. 

He’s the most recent Talladega winner, and six of his 12 top-five finishes at the Cup level have come on superspeedways. 

Look for him to also connect with his playoff teammates toward the front of the field.

 

TALLADEGA WINNERS 🤘🏻
Could not be any more proud of this team #winning pic.twitter.com/1lWPNuHTc2

— Austin Cindric (@AustinCindric) April 28, 2025

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. : All four of Stenhouse’s Cup Series victories have come on superspeedways.

Further, he is the defending winner of the Talladega playoff race. 

He enters Sunday’s race with five finishes of sixth or better in the last 10 superspeedway events.

 

RICKY STENHOUSE JR. WINS AT TALLADEGA!

0.006 SECONDS! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/uRXYhyA1eU

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 6, 2024

Alex Bowman: The No. 48 Hendrick driver has yet to win on a superspeedway, and his finishes can tend to flip-flop at these types of tracks. 

However, Bowman has two finishes of seventh or better in the last three Talladega races, and he’s posted seven top 10s in the last 13 superspeedway races.

 

Checkered Flag at @TALLADEGA p.16 for @Alex_Bowman and the #Ally48 team. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/eQQVwMsoEj

— Ally Racing (@allyracing) October 6, 2024

Justin Haley: Both of Haley’s Talladega top 10s have come in the last four races at the track, and he has four top-15 results in the last 14 races. 

One can’t forget that Haley was dominant at superspeedways in the Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing and owns two Talladega victories (both in 2020).

 

The #7 Chevrolet ZL1, driven by Justin Haley, will roar through Talladega Superspeedway in a special way — and WE'RE ON IT! 🙌
Thanks to the Gainbridge Assist Grant, all 32 grant recipients will be featured on the hood of the car!@HankampScott pic.twitter.com/oqVwOh3vRm

— Dell Johnson (@DellJCoachUp) October 15, 2025

 

source: NASCAR Media

Talladega #NASCAR Weekend Schedule

Friday-Trucks; Saturday-Xfinity; Sunday-Cup

 

After being in the playoffs for the past 21 seasons, this weekend marks Talladega’s first appearance in the Round of 8.

 

As the middle race of the second round last year, the race winners were Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Cup), Sammy Smith (Xfinity) and Grant Enfinger (Truck).

 

Friday, October 17, 2025

Garage Open

• 1 - 7 p.m. — Cup Series
• 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Xfinity Series
• 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. — Truck Series

Track activity

• 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Truck qualifying (FS2)
• 4 p.m. — Truck Race 
• 85 laps, 226.1 miles;
• Stage 1 at Lap 20
• Stage 2 at Lap 40
• Fox, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Saturday, October 18,2025

Garage Open

• 1 - 7 p.m. — Cup Series
• 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. — Xfinity Series

Track activity

• 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Xfinity qualifying (CW App)
• 1:30 - 3 p.m. — Cup qualifying (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
• 4 p.m. — Xfinity Race
• 94 laps, 250.04 miles
• Stage 1 at Lap 25
• Stage 2 at Lap 50
• Fox, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Garage Open

• 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. — Cup Series

Track activity

• 2 p.m. — Cup Race
• 188 laps, 500.08 miles
• Stage 1 at Lap 60
• Stage 2 at Lap 120
• NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

(All Times Eastern)

The Round of 8 is headed down to DEGA. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AQZdP29vcT

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 15, 2025

 

source: NBC Sports Media

NASCAR Playoff Picture

NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, & Truck Series Compete at Talladega Superspeedway this Weekend

NASCAR Cup Series

 

Denny Hamlin is back in the Championship 4 with eyes on his first career NASCAR Cup Series title.

 

Hamlin passed teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps to go to take the lead and win the South Point 400 on Oct. 12 at Las Vegas.

 

The driver of the No. 11 Toyota used four fresh tires to work into the top three with 10 laps to go before passing Kyle Larson for second and working past Briscoe for the lead.

 

Three playoff drivers had major issues at Vegas. Ryan Blaney blew a tire early and crashed, finishing 38th. William Byron, in 2nd inside of 40 laps to go, crashed after running over a slowing Ty Dillon at the opening of pit road. Chase Elliott had a pit road penalty and never recovered back into the top 10, finishing 18th.

 

Three #Championship4 tickets remain.

Who's next to join @dennyhamlin? pic.twitter.com/NGo2y2b7kJ

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 13, 2025

Xfinity Series

 

Aric Almirola denied Connor Zilisch a ticket to the Championship 4 with a pass with 10 laps to go to win the Focused Health 302 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Oct. 11 at Las Vegas.

 

Almirola made the pass and cleared Zilisch despite contact between the two leaders down the backstretch.

 

Zilisch can clinch a spot win or lose as soon as next week at Talladega given his playoff cushion (+82 to the playoff cutline), but he missed out on the win at Vegas.

 

Talladega looms next as a possible major shakeup around the playoff cutline, with the playoff field now knowing at least two drivers will advance to the final four on points.

 

There are still four tickets to the #Championship4 up for grabs. pic.twitter.com/iVIK17p1me

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 12, 2025

Craftsman Truck Series

 

The Craftsman Truck Series returns to the track Friday for the second event in the round of eight. Only Corey Heim is assured a spot in the next round for the championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

 

Heim rallied to win October 3rd Ecosave 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, setting a single-season NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series record with his 10th win of the 2025 campaign, breaking the tie with Greg Biffle!

 

You cannot get any closer than this. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/NG7W9R69JW

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 3, 2025

 

source: The Tennessean Media

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

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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

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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

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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