If you’ve ever stood near the tri-oval at Talladega Superspeedway when 40 stock cars roar past at 190 mph, you know it’s less of a sporting event and more of a localized seismic shift. It's loud. It’s chaotic. And if you aren't in your seat or on your couch at the exact moment the green flag drops, you're basically missing the best part of the weekend. So, what time is Talladega race this year? Honestly, it depends on which of the two massive weekends you’re planning to clear your calendar for, because 'Dega doesn't just do things once.
In 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series visits Alabama twice, and the start times are actually pretty consistent with what we’ve seen in recent years, though the names of the races have shifted a bit. For the spring race, now known as the Jack Link's 500, you’re looking at a 3:00 PM ET start on Sunday, April 26, 2026. If you’re a local or looking at track schedules in Central Time, that’s 2:00 PM. This is the race where everyone is still trying to figure out the season's pecking order, and the weather is usually that perfect "Alabama spring" mix of humid and hopeful.
Fast forward to the fall, and the stakes get significantly higher. The YellaWood 500 is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026. The green flag for this playoff-deciding monster is set for 2:00 PM ET (1:00 PM local). Why the hour difference? Television networks and NASCAR often push fall playoff races slightly earlier to account for shorter daylight hours and to avoid late-afternoon shadows that can make the high-speed tri-oval a nightmare for drivers.
The Full 2026 Talladega Weekend Breakdown
NASCAR weekends are rarely just about Sunday. If you're a die-hard, you're looking at the support series too. The 2.66-mile oval is a different beast for the Xfinity and Truck series drivers.
📖 Related: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Spring Weekend (April 24–26):
The action kicks off with qualifying, but the first real wheel-to-wheel drama happens on Saturday, April 25. The Ag-Pro 300 (Xfinity Series) is scheduled to start at 4:00 PM ET. Interestingly, there is also an ARCA Menards Series race, the Manufactured Housing 200, which usually runs earlier that same Saturday. If you're watching from home, the Cup race on Sunday will be broadcast on FOX, while the Saturday Xfinity race moves over to The CW as part of their new broadcast rights deal.
Fall Weekend (October 23–25):
This is the "Chaos of the Chase" weekend. It starts on Friday, October 23, with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at 4:00 PM ET. Saturday, October 24, features The Progress Group 250 (Xfinity) at 3:30 PM ET. Then, of course, the big one—the YellaWood 500—airs on NBC at 2:00 PM ET on Sunday.
Why "What Time Is Talladega Race" Actually Matters for Strategy
In most sports, a 15-minute delay doesn't change much. In NASCAR, and specifically at a superspeedway like Talladega, the time of day is everything. As the sun moves, the track temperature fluctuates. A hotter track means less grip. Less grip means cars start sliding around, which leads to the "Big One"—that massive multi-car wreck that Talladega is famous (or infamous) for.
👉 See also: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
Drivers like Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, who are masters of the draft, often talk about how the car handles differently between the first lap and the last. By starting at 3:00 PM in April, the race often ends as the sun is beginning its descent. This transition period is when the track "comes to the life," and the racing usually goes from a calm single-file line to a frantic three-wide mess.
TV Networks and Where to Watch
You can't just flip on any channel and expect to find the race. The 2026 season has a split broadcast schedule that can be kinda confusing if you aren't paying attention.
- April 26 (Jack Link's 500): FOX
- October 25 (YellaWood 500): NBC
- Radio: Both races are covered by MRN (Motor Racing Network) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
If you're streaming, you'll likely need the FOX Sports app for the spring and Peacock or the NBC Sports app for the fall, depending on your cable subscription.
✨ Don't miss: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
Surviving a Day at the Track
If you’re actually heading to Lincoln, Alabama, the "what time" question is only half the battle. You need to be through the gates at least two hours before the green flag. Traffic on I-20 is legendary for being a standstill. If the race starts at 2:00 PM, and you show up at 1:00 PM, you’re going to be watching the first stage from the window of your truck in the parking lot.
Talladega is one of the few places where the infield is its own city. People arrive on Tuesday for a Sunday race. They aren't just there for the 500 miles; they’re there for the culture. But when that command to fire engines comes, the partying stops. The energy in the grandstands shifts. It’s a 500-mile chess match at nearly 200 mph.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Knowing what time is Talladega race is just the first step in your race-day prep. To make sure you actually enjoy the event without the stress of missing a lap, here is what you should do right now:
- Sync Your Calendar: Set an alert for 3:00 PM ET on April 26 and 2:00 PM ET on October 25. Give yourself a 30-minute buffer for the pre-race show.
- Check Your Subscription: Ensure you have access to FOX for the spring and NBC for the fall. If you’re a cord-cutter, check your Peacock or YouTube TV login.
- Monitor the Weather: Talladega is notorious for "pop-up" thunderstorms. If there’s a rain delay, NASCAR usually tries to run the race as soon as the track is dry, but if they hit the halfway point (Lap 94 of 188), the race can be called official.
- Plan Your Arrival: If you're going in person, aim to be at the track by 10:00 AM local time. This gives you time to hit the midway, grab some merchandise, and get through security without rushing.
Talladega is the wildcard of the NASCAR circuit. Anything can happen, and usually, everything does. Just make sure you're tuned in when the green flag drops, or you'll be the one hearing about the "Big One" second-hand.