Get ready for a heart-pounding showdown at Talladega, where the stakes are high and the speed is relentless! Michael McDowell has claimed the pole position for the YellaWood 500, setting the stage for a thrilling NASCAR Cup Series race on October 19. But here's where it gets intriguing: McDowell's blistering lap of 52.481 seconds in the second round of qualifying on October 18 wasn't just fast—it was a statement. And this is the part most people miss: among the playoff drivers, Chase Elliott will start way down in 25th, raising questions about his strategy for the race. Will he charge through the field, or is this a calculated move? Let the debates begin!
Below is the full starting lineup for Sunday's race, a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars ready to battle it out on Talladega's iconic 2.66-mile oval. From Michael McDowell in the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet to Casey Mears in the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford, every driver has their eyes on the prize. But with 188 laps and 500 miles ahead, anything can happen. Will McDowell hold on to the lead, or will a dark horse emerge? And let's not forget the controversy: Talladega's superspeedway is notorious for its unpredictable drafting and high-speed chaos. Who do you think will navigate it best?
Starting Lineup for the YellaWood 500:
1. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
2. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
4. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
5. Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
6. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
7. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
8. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
9. Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
10. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
11. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
12. Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
13. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
14. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
15. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
16. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
17. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
18. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
19. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
20. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
21. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
22. Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
23. Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
24. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
25. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
26. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
27. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
28. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
29. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
30. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
31. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
32. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
33. Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
34. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
35. Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
36. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
37. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
38. Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
39. BJ McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
40. Casey Mears, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford
Race Details:
- Green Flag Time: Approximately 1:25 p.m. CT on Sunday, October 19
- Track: Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile oval) in Talladega, Alabama
- Length: 188 laps, 500 miles
- Stages: 60 laps, 60 laps, 68 laps
- TV Coverage: NBC
- Radio: MRN
- Streaming: Watch FREE on Fubo; HBO MAX app for in-car cameras (subscription required); NASCAR.com and SiriusXM on Channel 90 for audio (subscription required)
The YellaWood 500 will be broadcast nationally on NBC, with additional streaming options like HBO MAX offering in-car camera views for a unique perspective. But here's a thought-provoking question: With Talladega's history of dramatic finishes and pack racing, is this the race where underdogs shine, or will the favorites dominate? Share your predictions in the comments—we want to hear your take!
