NASCAR

NASCAR at Talladega: Hocevar the Villain, Elliott's Tribute to Kyle Busch and a Tight Title Fight

Three races left, a garage full of grudges and a moving tribute. Here is everything to know before Talladega.

· 2 min read
The racecars in the Geico 500 speed passed the embankment at turn two at the Talladega Superspeedway, April 21, 2024. (U.S. Army National Gu
The racecars in the Geico 500 speed passed the embankment at turn two at the Talladega Superspeedway, April 21, 2024. (U.S. Army National GuPhoto: Staff Sgt. Jaccob Hearn, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

NASCAR's three national series all head to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, and the stakes could not be higher. With only three races left in the 2026 season, just 56 points separate the top seven drivers in the Cup Series, and Talladega's pack racing can turn the standings upside down in a single lap.

The Title Picture

The championship fight tightened last week when Kyle Larson suffered a DNF at Phoenix. Talladega is a wildcard track where anyone can win and anyone can get caught in a crash, so every contender arrives nervous.

Recent history: Carson Hocevar is the most recent Cup winner at Talladega, while Chase Briscoe won this race last year.

Carson Hocevar: NASCAR's New Bad Boy

Every era of NASCAR has its villain, and right now the garage agrees it is Carson Hocevar. ESPN describes him as public enemy No. 1, and his aggressive style keeps rubbing rivals the wrong way.

The latest flashpoint came after Phoenix. Zane Smith, angry after contact with Hocevar cost him a potential top-10, rammed Hocevar's car on the cool-down lap. NASCAR had already called both drivers into the hauler after an earlier run-in and told them to stop. Smith was fined $50,000.

Do not expect the tension to cool at a track where drivers race inches apart at nearly 200 mph.

A Tribute to Kyle Busch

The most emotional story of the week has nothing to do with points. Chase Elliott, the perennial winner of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award, removed his name from this year's voting out of respect for Kyle Busch, helping steer the vote toward him.

Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion with a record 234 wins across NASCAR's three national divisions, died suddenly in May at age 41, just days after his final victory in a Truck Series race at Dover. Elliott's gesture has been widely praised across the sport.

Business Headlines

  • Joe Gibbs Racing vs. Spire Motorsports: Spire says JGR is now seeking nearly $150 million in damages in its lawsuit over alleged misuse of team data, up from the original $8 million per defendant.
  • Jimmie Johnson called the NASCAR business world "a war" as he discussed his move from seven-time champion to team owner.
  • NASCAR's brand chief Tim Clark said the sport needs to be better storytellers as Formula 1 grows in the U.S. Read more about F1's American boom in our guide to F1 races in the United States.

How to Watch

All three national series race at Talladega this weekend. Check local listings for start times and TV, and follow our NASCAR coverage for results. Motorsport fans can also catch up on Kimi Antonelli's F1 title chase.

Background from Wikipedia

Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway (formerly known as Alabama International Motor Speedway from 1969 to 1989) is a 2.660 mi (4.281 km) tri-oval superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, United States. Built in 1969, the track has hosted a variety of racing events, primarily races sanctioned by NASCAR. The track is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Josh Harris. The grandstand can seat 80,000 as of 2022. Along with the main track, the track complex also has a 4.000 mi (6.437 km) roval-style road course.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

How many races are left in the 2026 NASCAR season?

Talladega is one of the final three races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Why did Chase Elliott withdraw from Most Popular Driver voting?

Elliott removed his name out of respect for the late Kyle Busch, helping steer the vote toward Busch, who died in May at age 41.

Why was Zane Smith fined?

NASCAR fined Zane Smith $50,000 for ramming Carson Hocevar's car on the cool-down lap after the Phoenix race, after officials had told the drivers to refrain from such actions.

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