NASCAR Talladega 2026 predictions, expert reads for the Cup Series race
The NASCAR Cup Series Chase championship continues with the YellaWood 500 on October 25 at Talladega Superspeedway.
While it’s not quite the same wild game as in the playoffs, Talladega is set to shake up the top of the standings with a chance to set the table for the final two weekends of the season.
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In the points standings, six drivers are within 59 points of Kyle Larson with three races to go.
Here are the Tennessean experts for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega:
STRAIGHT POINT CUP: NASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Phoenix race, Chase picture
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Driver Eladio Carrion sets the honors pace for photos on the track prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Driver Eladio Carrion sets the honors pace for photos on the track prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: NASCAR Cup Series driver, Kyle Larson (L) and honorary pace car driver, Eladio Carrion pose for photos in the #5 hauler prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link D at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
(Paras Griffin, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: NASCAR Cup Series driver, Kyle Larson addresses a guest in the #5 hauler prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
(Paras Griffin, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Partners Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Partners Chevrolet, drives before the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili Riders Dente Chevrolet, waves at fans as he progresses through the infield drive prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link D at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, waves at fans as he walks through the driver’s innings prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link D at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Wurth Ford, waves to fans as he walks through the driver’s innings prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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NASCAR Talladega race best photos, including Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 26: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Factory/Winston Longbeard XR Chevrolet, waves to fans in the driver’s entrance entrance prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link D at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR predictions for the Talladega Cup Series race: Here’s who wins the YellaWood 500
Mike Organi’s strength: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Larson is in the top spot in the Chase standing behind Phoenix, barely. He had one of his worst races of the season there, starting outside the top 20 and finishing 34th. How much worse was it? At Talladega in spring. This week will come roaring.
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Nick Gray: Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
After a summer (and fall) filled with bad luck, Chase Elliott wins Talladega. Why? Because Talladega, that’s why. And Elliott’s venture is a good one for the editorial staff.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Hocevar from Talladega to win again? Hey, anything can happen on the track. His running style is just crazy enough to work this weekend.
This article first appeared in the Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Talladega 2026 predictions, expert reads for the Cup Series race
