TALLADEGA, Ala. — The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Talladega Superspeedway for the Jack Link’s 500 on April 27, 2025, promising high-speed action on the 2.66-mile asphalt oval. The race, set for 3 p.m. ET, marks the 112th Cup Series event at the track, with a $11,055,250 purse on the line. Fans can watch live on FOX and FOX Deportes or listen on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90). The 500.08-mile race spans 188 laps, with stages ending at laps 60, 120, and 188.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will also compete at Talladega, running the Ag-Pro 300 on April 26 at 4 p.m. ET. The 300.58-mile race covers 113 laps with a $1,651,939 purse, airing on CW, MRN, and SiriusXM. Stages conclude at laps 25, 50, and 113. Meanwhile, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway for the SpeedyCash.com 250 on May 2 at 8 p.m. ET. The 250.5-mile, 167-lap race offers a $782,900 purse and will broadcast on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM, with stages at laps 40, 80, and 167.
Talladega’s reputation for unpredictable, high-stakes racing is unmatched. The track has seen nine different Cup Series winners in its last nine races, the longest streak without a repeat victor. “Nine of the last 16 Cup Series races at Talladega have ended with a last lap pass,” NASCAR officials noted, highlighting the track’s dramatic finishes. The last three races each featured 66 or more lead changes, ranking among the most competitive in series history. William Byron, with three drafting track wins in the last 12 races, is the only repeat winner in that span, alongside Chase Elliott, both leading with 240 points earned at Talladega in the Next Gen car.
Ten active drivers have won at Talladega in the Cup Series, led by Brad Keselowski with six victories, followed by Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano with three each. Keselowski, Blaney, and Bubba Wallace each claimed their first career Cup wins at the track. Ford has dominated qualifying, securing the last three Cup poles at Talladega, but their 2025 season has yielded only one top-five finish despite leading 72% of drafting track laps. Michael McDowell, who won both Talladega poles in 2024, is a driver to watch in qualifying on April 26 at 10:30 a.m. ET, streaming on Amazon Prime.
The Xfinity Series’ Ag-Pro 300 marks the 38th race at Talladega, with Chevrolet winning the last 11 events. Jeb Burton, with two Talladega victories, is the only active driver with multiple wins. “Five of the last 11 Xfinity Series Talladega winners earned their first career series win,” series officials stated, including Jesse Love’s 2024 triumph. Richard Childress Racing has won 10 of the last 19 drafting track races, leading 1,152 laps in that span. Austin Hill, with eight career drafting track wins, holds the all-time record alongside Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart but has yet to crack the top 10 at Talladega.
The weekend kicks off with Xfinity Series qualifying on April 25 at 5:30 p.m. ET on the CW App, followed by the ARCA General Tire 200 on April 26 at 12:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Talladega’s festivities include a Saturday night concert by country star Justin Moore, an ACM Award winner with hits like “Small Town USA.” On April 25, Joey Logano will be inducted into the Talladega Walk of Fame at Davey Allison Memorial Park, joined by a tribute to former Talladega City Council President James E. Spratlin. A pre-race parade lap on April 27 will honor NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, with his 1969 Mercury Cyclone driven by grandson Robbie Allison.
Talladega Superspeedway, spanning 3,000 acres, opened in 1969 as the Alabama International Motor Speedway. Its first Cup race, the Talladega 500, saw Richard Brickhouse take the checkered flag. The track set milestones, including Buddy Baker’s 200.447 mph lap in 1970 and Bill Elliott’s qualifying record of 212.809 mph in 1987, which still stands. Dale Earnhardt holds the record for most Cup wins at Talladega with 10, while his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won four straight from 2001 to 2003.
The NASCAR All-Star Race, announced for May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, will feature a 250-lap main event and a Manufacturer Showdown pitting Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota teams against each other. The format includes two 60-lap heat races, a 100-lap All-Star Open, and a Promoter’s Caution, adding unpredictability. Fan voting for the All-Star Race is open at NASCAR.com/fanvote.
As NASCAR’s longest stretch of consecutive race weeks begins, Talladega’s Jack Link’s 500 and Ag-Pro 300 promise thrilling competition and historic moments at one of motorsport’s most iconic venues.
