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.