NASCAR at Talladega: Weekend schedule, TV info, odds, picks, standings and results

The NASCAR Cup playoffs head to the series’ least predictable track for the second race of the Round of 12 this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. No one enters with better than 12-to-1 odds and with good reason: the playoff round at Talladega is typically a crashfest. The last five fall races there have averaged nine cautions and 40 out of the 188 laps run under the yellow flag.

Here is everything you need to know for the YellaWood 500:

NASCAR Cup Series Talladega weekend schedule and how to watch

Fans in the United States can watch the race on NBC or the NBC Sports app (cable or satellite subscription required). Radio coverage is available on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM.

(All times ET)

Sunday, Oct. 2

Pre-race show: 1 - 2 p.m. ET (NBC)

YellaWood 500: 2 - 5 p.m. ET (NBC, MRN, SiriusXM)

Post-race show: 5 - 6 p.m. ET (NBC)

YellaWood 500 starting grid

Christopher Bell (20), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Kyle Larson (5), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Denny Hamlin (11), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Aric Almirola (10), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Chase Briscoe (14), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Ross Chastain (1), Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Noah Gragson (48) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Tyler Reddick (8), Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

William Byron (24), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Ty Gibbs (45), 23XI Racing Chevrolet

Joey Logano (22), Team Penske Ford

Erik Jones (43), Petty GMS Motorsports Chevrolet

Daniel Hemric (16), Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Daniel Suarez (99), Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Harrison Burton (21), Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Chase Elliott (9), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Austin Cindric (2), Team Penske Ford

Brad Keselowski (6), RFK Racing Ford

Ryan Blaney (12), Team Penske Ford

Austin Dillon (3), Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Justin Haley (31), Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Martin Truex Jr. (19), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Chris Buescher (17), RFK Racing Ford

Kevin Harvick (4), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47), JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet

Kyle Busch (18), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Bubba Wallace (23), 23XI Racing Toyota

Cole Custer (41), Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Michael McDowell (34), Front Row Motorsports Ford

Ty Dillon (42), Petty GMS Motorsports Chevrolet

Justin Allgaier (62), Beard Motorsports Chevrolet

Corey Lajoie (7), Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Landon Cassill (77), Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Todd Gilliland (38), Front Row Motorsports Ford

BJ McLeod (78), Live Fast Motorsports Ford

JJ Yeley (15), Rick Ware Racing Ford

Cody Ware (51), Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet

Bowman out with concussion

Alex Bowman – currently 12th in the playoff standings, 26 points below the cut line – will not race this weekend due to a concussion he suffered in a crash last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. Xfinity Series points leader Noah Gragson, who has made 13 cup starts this season splitting time between Beard Motorsports and Kaulig Racing, will substitute for Bowman in the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports machine.

Top drivers and best bets for the YellaWood 500

As noted above, an unpredictable race produces very long odds. According to BetMGM six playoff drivers all enter with the best odds at +1200, comprising Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano.

Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg suggests finding good mid-tier value in 2021 YellaWood 500 winner Bubba Wallace and six-time Talladega winner Brad Keselowski, who both enter at +1600. He suggests staying away from 2021 series champion Kyle Larson (also +1600) as his expertise lies more on short tracks and road courses.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings

Joey Logano - 3,071

Ross Chastain - 3,059

Kyle Larson - 3,057

Ryan Blaney - 3,056

Denny Hamlin - 3,059

Daniel Suarez - 3,045

Chase Elliott - 3,045

Chase Briscoe - 3,041

Austin Cindric - 3,034

William Byron - 3,033

Christopher Bell - 3,016

Alex Bowman - 3,015

Weather forecast for the YellaWood 500

It is forecast to be beautiful in northeast Alabama with temperatures in the upper 70s, partly cloudy skies and no chance of precipitation.

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