The NASCAR Cup Series roars back into Talladega Superspeedway for the 2025 YellaWood 500, a make-or-break showdown in the Round of 8 of the Playoffs.
Talladega isn’t just another stop on the schedule — it’s a wild card, a beast with a mind of its own. Every year, this massive oval turns the championship picture upside down, crushing some dreams while breathing new life into others.
Right now, Denny Hamlin — fresh off his Las Vegas win — is probably the only driver catching any shut-eye this week. The rest of the field? They’re pacing the floor, knowing one wrong move could turn their playoff run into a smoking heap. And for fantasy players or bettors, this is the race that’ll test every ounce of nerve and instinct.
Aside from the Charlotte ROVAL, Talladega might be the ultimate equalizer. It’s the one place where underdogs can rise from the shadows and spoil the playoff party.
Here is everything you need to know about the Talladega playoff race, including the start time for the race.
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.
What channel is NASCAR on today?
- TV Channel: NBC | TSN, RDS (Canada)
- Live stream: Fubo | TSN+ (Canada)
The Talladega playoff race is available for live TV broadcast on NBC in the United States. Streaming options are available on Fubo for fans in the US.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
NASCAR radio station for Talladega playoff race
- Radio channel: SiriusXM channel 90
Listen to the 2025 Talladega playoff race and every race of the NASCAR season on SiriusXM.
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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 |
NASCAR point standings 2025
Below are the updated standings ahead of NASCAR at Talladega.
| Rank | Driver | Points |
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | 4090 |
| 2 | Kyle Larson | 4086 |
| 3 | Christopher Bell | 4071 |
| 4 | Chase Briscoe | 4066 |
| 5 | William Byron | 4051 |
| 6 | Chase Elliott | 4043 |
| 7 | Joey Logano | 4042 |
| 8 | Ryan Blaney | 4035 |
| 9 | Tyler Reddick | 2231 |
| 10 | Bubba Wallace | 2197 |
NASCAR Cup Series playoff race schedule 2025
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Race | Track | Time | TV/Winner |
| Oct. 19 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Talladega | Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
| Oct. 26 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
| Nov. 2 | NASCAR Cup Series Championship | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |