The 2026 YellaWood 500 returns to Talladega Superspeedway for one of NASCAR’s most anticipated playoff weekends. The NASCAR Cup Series race is set for Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. CT, but the full three-day schedule runs October 23–25 with Truck Series and Xfinity Series races, a Friday rodeo, and a Saturday night concert headlined by Brantley Gilbert.
Talladega’s 2.66-mile superspeedway (the longest on the NASCAR schedule) is known for its 33-degree banking and pack-style racing that often produces dramatic finishes. The YellaWood 500 is Race 34 of 36 in the 2026 Cup Series season and falls in the Round of 8 of the playoffs. It will air on NBC.
Full 2026 YellaWood 500 Weekend Schedule
All times are Central Time. Source: Talladega Superspeedway official weekend schedule.
Friday, October 23
- 10:00 a.m. – Parking lots and Fan Zone open
- 11:00 a.m. – Grandstand gates open
- 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying
- 2:40 p.m. – Truck Series driver introductions
- 3:00 p.m. – Love’s RV Stop 225 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race)
- 7:30 p.m. – Buckin’ Dega Rodeo presented by Straight Talk Wireless
Saturday, October 24
- 7:00 a.m. – Parking lots open
- 8:00 a.m. – Fan Zone and Garage Experience open
- 9:00 a.m. – Grandstand gates open
- 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying
- 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
- 2:05 p.m. – Xfinity Series driver introductions
- 2:30 p.m. – The Progress Group 250 (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race)
- 6:00 p.m. – Gates open for Saturday Night Concert
- 7:30 p.m. – Saturday Night Concert featuring Brantley Gilbert
Sunday, October 25
- 7:00 a.m. – Parking lots open
- 8:00 a.m. – Fan Zone open
- 8:30 a.m. – Talladega Garage Experience and Pit Road Club open
- 9:30 a.m. – Grandstand gates open
- 12:30 p.m. – NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions
- 1:00 p.m. – YellaWood 500 (NASCAR Cup Series race)
Camping opens earlier: outside campgrounds on Monday, October 19, and infield/Alabama Gang areas on Wednesday, October 21.
Key Race Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cup Race | YellaWood 500 |
| Date | Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Start Time | 1:00 p.m. CT |
| Track | Talladega Superspeedway (Lincoln, AL) |
| Distance | 188 laps / 500.08 miles |
| TV | NBC |
| Radio | MRN |
| Playoff Round | Round of 8 |
| Defending Fall Winner | Chase Briscoe (2025) |
Tickets & Weekend Tips
Tickets for the YellaWood 500 have been available through Ticketmaster and the track. Recent secondary-market get-in prices have started in the $65–$75 range (all-in pricing varies). Kids 12 and under receive discounts on Sunday tickets (often a $50 reduction when purchased through the ticket office). Saturday + Sunday bundles are typically offered and include access to the Brantley Gilbert concert.
Official links:
- Talladega Superspeedway schedule & tickets: talladegasuperspeedway.com
- NASCAR schedule: nascar.com
- Wikipedia race page: 2026 YellaWood 500
Arrive early for parking and Fan Zone activities. Infield camping and the Garage Experience offer the closest access to the cars and drivers. Talladega is roughly an hour from Birmingham and a popular destination for multi-day race weekends.
The combination of playoff implications, three national series races, a major country concert, and Talladega’s signature superspeedway racing makes the 2026 YellaWood 500 one of the biggest events on the fall NASCAR calendar. Check the official schedule for any last-minute time adjustments before you travel.
Sources: Talladega Superspeedway Weekend Schedule, Wikipedia – 2026 YellaWood 500, Bham Now.