NASCAR at Talladega live race updates, results, highlights from YellaWood 500

By | October 2, 2022
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Few NASCAR tracks are more iconic than Talladega Superspeedway. The 2.66-mile monster is perhaps the most grueling ride Cup Series drivers can experience. If you need evidence of that, just ask Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, who suffered a massive wreck at ‘Dega in 2019.

As the 2022 Cup Series playoffs stop at one of the jewels of Alabama sporting culture, Sunday’s outlook is more unpredictable than usual.

Part of the reason is that the playoffs have been all over the place. Between wrecks, faulty cars and strong displays by non-playoff drivers, the series has yet to have a playoff driver win a postseason race.

And uncertainty thrives at Talladega. It’s a place where drivers are one wrong move away from heading to the garage. Larson, the reigning Cup Series champion and playoff driver this year, has just three top-10 finishes at the track.

All of this is to say that, above all else, Sunday’s race should be entertaining. It will also almost certainly be chaotic. But at this point in the postseason, which race isn’t?

MORE: Watch the NASCAR race at Talladega live with fuboTV (free trial)

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Sunday’s playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway. Follow along below for all the highlights and results from the YellaWood 500 as they happen.

NASCAR at Talladega live updates, results, highlights

(All times Eastern)

3:50 p.m.: Almirola still setting the pact through 37 laps of the second stage. Lots of stage left, but interestingly enough: only three playoff drivers currently sit in the top-ten (Larson in 4th, Chastain in 7th and Elliott in 9th). Seems postseason participants are hoping the conservative approach pays dividends at the ‘Mega.

3:41 p.m.: Almirola back out in front. Harvick is a little less than .1 seconds behind him. 34 laps to go in Stage 2. Plenty of time for sparks to fly at Talladega Superspeedway.

3:31 p.m.: Things are getting wild at the front of the pack. Blaney shrugged into Brad Keselowski, who proceeded to clip the wall. Blaney and Keselowski have decided to drop down the field ever so slightly. Seems experienced drivers are sensing a wreck could be coming soon.

3:30 p.m.: Blaney is doing a great job blocking cars off out front. He’s doing exactly what he need to do to keep his lead.

3:26 p.m.: Blaney has followed up his strong Stage 1 showing with a solid display through the first nine laps of Stage 2. He’s got a .06-second lead over Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 car. Things are quite competitive early in the second stage.

3:25 p.m.: Stage 2 is off and it’s Kyle Larson who is running up front.

3:14 p.m.: And it’s Ryan Blaney who takes Stage 1! Impressive run on the final lap by the Team Penske driver. He made a dash for the front after Turn 4 and slipped beyond Hamlin’s grasp by a couple of feet.

Byron, who stayed near the top for much of the opening stage, finished 11th. That means he won’t get any stage points.

3:12 p.m.: Hamlin takes it back! Gave Byron two bumps, who bizarrely proceeded to move out the way and let Hamlin get out in front. Two laps to go and it’s Hamlin with the lead!

3:11 p.m.: Byron takes the lead! He crossed over into the inside line, pacing past Hamlin in the process. Looks like the Hendrick Motorsport driver is making his move for the front.

3:08 p.m.: Hamlin and Byron still going back-and-forth for first place. Seven laps left before the end of Stage 1 and sides are still looking for that all-important track position. 

2:53 p.m.: It’s been an enthralling first 43 laps. Hamlin has a .1-second lead over Byron, but it seems both are working with one another to move themselves up the pack. Racing culture is so interesting.

2:48 p.m.: Hamlin into the lead! Denny came out of nowhere to pace past Almirola to take first place. William Byron lurking one spot away. Could be something to watch given the feud between Hamlin and Byron last week.

2:45 p.m.: Kyle Busch is making his mark early. The No. 18 car is locked in competition with Suarez, Elliott and Aric Almirola for first place. Solid stuff for the non-playoff driver.

2:43 p.m.: Suarez with the early lead after the race restart. He’s got the slightest of edges over Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. With 30 laps to go in Stage 1, drivers should have enough fuel to get themselves to the end of the stage.

2:30 p.m.: Big wreck at Turn 1! Looks like Harrison Burton tried to get into the third lane and got bumped from behind. Burton spun out, causing damage to about a dozen cars. Not ideal.

2:25 p.m.: 18 laps are finished and it’s Jones with the lead. He’s done well here historically — he has five top-10 finishes at Talladega in his career. Whatever his approach is seems to be working well at the ‘Mega.

2:15 p.m.: First caution flag of the day waved after Ty Dillon’s right front window comes out. Should give racers a chance to fill up fairly early in Stage 1.

2:12 p.m.: Seven laps down and things have remained fairly calm. Almirola holds a slight edge over Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. Lots of reshuffling to be had, though.

2:09 p.m.: Through the first three laps, it’s Ross Chastain, Aric Almirola, Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez all vying for the lead position. Very tight drive so far, not much space to maneuver with.

2:06 p.m.: And the race is off! Over 100,000 fans watching on at Talladega! Should get to see a good one today.

1:35 p.m.: We are about 30 minutes away from the start of today’s race. People are filing into the stadium.

1:30 p.m.: Strong words from Denny Hamlin, who praised NASCAR for docking William Byron 25 points for his antics last Sunday.

Check it out here:

What time does the NASCAR race start today?

  • Race: YellaWood 500
  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 2
  • Start time: 2 p.m. ET | 1 p.m. CT

The YellaWood 500 is listed to start at 2 p.m. ET, although the green flag is scheduled to wave at 2:04 p.m. ET.

What channel is NASCAR on today?

  • TV channel: NBC (U.S.) | TSN3 (Canada)
  • Live stream: Peacock, fuboTV
  • Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Sunday’s race will be broadcast on NBC in the United States. Canadian viewers can follow the action on TSN3.

Leading the way for NBC’s coverage is Rick Allen, who will handle the lap-by-lap call. He’ll be joined by longtime Cup Series driver Jeff Burton, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.

MORE: Here are the Round of 12 drivers after Bristol cutoff race

Those without cable can find Sunday’s race on Peacock, and on fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

Starting lineup for Talladega playoff race

Pos. Driver Car No. Team
1 Christopher Bell (P) 20 Joe Gibbs Racing
2 Kyle Larson (P) 5 Hendrick Motorsports
3 Denny Hamlin (P) 11 Joe Gibbs Racing
4 Aric Almirola 10 Stewart-Haas Racing
5 Chase Briscoe (P) 14 Stewart-Haas Racing
6 Ross Chastain (P) 1 Trackhouse Racing
7 Noah Gragson (R) 48 Hendrick Motorsports
8 Tyler Reddick 8 Richard Childress Racing
9 William Byron (P) 24 Hendrick Motorsports
10 Ty Gibbs 23 23XI Racing
11 Joey Logano (P) 22 Team Penske
12 Erik Jones 43 Petty GMS Motorsports
13 Daniel Hemric 16 Kaulig Racing
14 Daniel Suarez (P) 99 Trackhouse Racing
15 Harrison Burton 21 Wood Brothers Racing
16 Chase Elliott (P) 9 Hendrick Motorsports
17 Austin Cindric (P) 2 Team Penske
18 Brad Keselowski 6 RFK Racing
19 Ryan Blaney (P) 12 Team Penske
20 Austin Dillon 3 Richard Childress Racing
21 Justin Haley 31 Kaulig Racing
22 Martin Truex Jr. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing
23 Chris Buescher 17 RFK Racing
24 Kevin Harvick 4 Stewart-Haas Racing
25 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing
26 Kyle Busch 18 Joe Gibbs Racing
27 Bubba Wallace 45 23XI Racing
28 Cole Custer 41 Stewart-Haas Racing
29 Michael McDowell 34 Front Row Motorsports
30 Ty Dillon 42 Petty GMS Motorsports
31 Justin Allgaier 62 Beard Motorsports
32 Corey LaJoie 7 Spire Motorsports
33 Landon Cassill 77 Spire Motorsports
34 Todd Gilliland 38 Front Row Motorsports
35 BJ McLeod 78 Live Fast Motorsports
36 JJ Yeley 15 Rick Ware Racing
37 Cody Ware 51 Rick Ware Racing

(P) Playoff driver
(R) Injury replacement for Alex Bowman

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