A make-or-break matchup in the Round of 8 of the Playoffs, the 2025 YellaWood 500 will see the NASCAR Cup Series return to Talladega Superspeedway.
Talladega is a wild card, a beast with a mind of its own, and not just another destination on the itinerary. Every year, this enormous oval upends the championship picture, shattering some hopes and igniting others.
Those seated below the cut line must contend with a combination of a high-wire act and an uphill climb due to the white-knuckle pack racing and the constant threat of The Big One.
The only driver likely to get any sleep this week is Denny Hamlin, who just won in Las Vegas. The field as a whole? Knowing that one mistake may ruin their playoff run, they are pacing the floor.
Talladega could be the ultimate equalizer, aside from the Charlotte ROVAL. Underdogs can emerge from the shadows and ruin the playoff celebration there.
The Sporting News has everything you need to know about 2025 YellaWood 500 race, including TV Channel, streaming options, radio station and starting grid.
NASCAR radio station for Talladega playoff race
- Radio channel: SiriusXM channel 90
Listen to the 2025 Talladega Playoff at Alabama and every race of the NASCAR season on SiriusXM.
New subscribers can enjoy SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
What time does the NASCAR race start today?
- Track: Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama
- Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET or 11:00 a.m. PT
- Length: 188 laps (500 miles) on the 2.66-mile oval
- Purse: $9,797,935
The Talladega playoff race is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. ET or 11:00 a.m. PT on Sunday, October 19.
The race will be held at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Stage 1 ends at Lap 60. Stage 2 ends at Lap 120. Stage 3 ends at Lap 188.
NASCAR Talladega playoff race 2025 starting grid
| Position | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael McDowell | 71 | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 2 | Chase Briscoe | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 3 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet |
| 4 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske Ford |
| 5 | Ryan Preece | 60 | RFK Racing Ford |
| 6 | Josh Berry | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing Ford |
| 7 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 8 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske Ford |
| 9 | Riley Herbst | 35 | 23XI Racing Toyota |
| 10 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing Toyota |
| 11 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 12 | Cole Custer | 41 | Haas Factory Team Ford |
| 13 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 14 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford |
| 15 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing Toyota |
| 16 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske Ford |
| 17 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 18 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 19 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 20 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford |
| 21 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet |
| 22 | Justin Haley | 7 | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 23 | Zane Smith | 38 | Front Row Motorsports Ford |
| 24 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet |
| 25 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 26 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet |
| 27 | Todd Gilliland | 34 | Front Row Motorsports Ford |
| 28 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club Toyota |
| 29 | Ty Dillon | 10 | Kaulig Racing Chevrolet |
| 30 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club Toyota |
| 31 | Shane van Gisbergen | 88 | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet |
| 32 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 33 | Austin Hill | 33 | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet |
| 34 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing Chevrolet |
| 35 | Cody Ware | 51 | Rick Ware Racing Ford |
| 36 | Noah Gragson | 4 | Front Row Motorsports Ford |
| 37 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 38 | Anthony Alfredo | 62 | Beard Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 39 | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 40 | Casey Mears | 66 | Garage 66 Ford |