Talladega Superspeedway to Once Again Play Key Role in Setting Championship Field

NASCAR returns to the high banks of Alabama in April and October of 2026

TALLADEGA, Ala. (Aug. 20, 2025) – With championship hopes on the line, Talladega Superspeedway is once again slated to help narrow the field of championship hopefuls in high-stakes Playoff races in 2026, the track announced today as NASCAR released the full schedule for 2026. The Superspeedway will also once again play host to a heart-pounding April race weekend to give drivers an opportunity to lock in their Playoff

hopes.

In addition to the schedule news announced today, earlier this week, NASCAR announced a multi-year partnership with O’Reilly Auto Parts that makes the leader in the automotive replacement parts industry the title

sponsor of what is now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

JOEY LOGANO DURING DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS AT TALLADEGA!

Fans will get their traditional spring trip to the track as the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will provide drivers with an early chance to drive through the drama and lock themselves into

the Playoffs, April 25-26, 2026.

Then the Playoff action will thrill fans across all three NASCAR national series during the Playoffs Round of 8, October 23-25, 2026. Talladega will once again be part of the trio of races (Phoenix Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway) that will cut the field of eight title hopefuls to the Championship 4 for the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The four drivers who make it through that gauntlet will then have a chance to

race for the 2026 crown at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

IT’S THE GREEN FLAG START OF THE JACK LINKS 500 AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY! – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO

“Talladega’s two race weekends are positioned in the schedule to provide fans with the edge-of-your-seat excitement they come to expect at the biggest and baddest track in NASCAR,” said Brian Crichton, Talladega Superspeedway President. “There’s nothing like seeing the fans on their feet watching the full field come roaring out of Turn 4 to take the green flag, knowing anyone can win at Dega and get a shot at chasing

championship glory.”

CHASE ELLIOTT ON THE ALABAMA GANG SUPERSTRETCH AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY! – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO

Below are the dates for the 2026 NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway:

April 25-26

* Saturday, April 25 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 * Sunday, April 26 – NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500

Oct. 23-25

* Friday, Oct. 23 – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 * Saturday, Oct. 24 – NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Race

* Sunday, Oct. 25 – NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500

Earlier this year, Team Penske driver Austin Cindric punched his ticket to the NASCAR Playoffs by narrowly edging out Ryan Peece in a photo finish in the Jack Link’s 500, securing his first win at the 2.66-mile

Superspeedway

AUSTIN HILL HAD A SCREAMING FAST XFINITY CAR AT TALLADEGA! – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO

Fans can still catch plenty of NASCAR Playoff action at Talladega Superspeedway in 2025, starting off on Friday, Oct. 17, with the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 225 during the Round of 8, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 250 on Saturday,

Oct. 18 in the Round of 8.

IT’S FOUR WIDE OUT OF TURN TWO IN THE YELLAWOOD 500 AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY! – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO

The excitement culminates on Sunday, Oct. 19, with the YellaWood 500 during the Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 at Talladega Superspeedway.

For ticketing information and more details about upcoming events, including the upcoming NASCAR Playoffs YellaWood 500 race weekend, visit

www.talladegasuperspeedway.com [1].

TRACKSIDE BEAUTIES ON PIT ROAD AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY BEFORE THE START OF THE RACE! – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO

Fans are also encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at Talladega Superspeedway by following along on X [2], Facebook [3], and Instagram [4], as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App [5] for the latest speedway news.