The NASCAR Cup Series heads to one of its most thrilling and unpredictable venues as the Jack Link’s 500 takes place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Talladega Motor Speedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Known for high speeds, dramatic finishes, and the ever-present risk of “The Big One,” Talladega once again promises edge-of-your-seat action for racing fans worldwide.
Tyler Reddick Secures Pole Position
Leading the field to green is Tyler Reddick, who continues his dominant 2026 campaign. Driving the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, Reddick has already stamped his authority on the season. With three consecutive wins to open the year—including a victory at the prestigious Daytona 500—and five total wins so far, he enters Talladega as a clear championship favorite.
Starting alongside Reddick is Kyle Larson in the No. 5 Chevrolet, followed by veteran Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace, making it a strong Toyota presence at the front of the grid.
Full Starting Lineup – Jack Link’s 500 2026
| Position | Driver | Car No. | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | Toyota |
| 2 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Chevrolet |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Toyota |
| 4 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | Toyota |
| 5 | Chase Briscoe | 19 | Toyota |
| 6 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Ford |
| 7 | William Byron | 24 | Chevrolet |
| 8 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Chevrolet |
| 9 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Toyota |
| 10 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Ford |
| 11 | Ryan Preece | 60 | Ford |
| 12 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Chevrolet |
| 13 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Ford |
| 14 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Toyota |
| 15 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Ford |
| 16 | Daniel Suarez | 7 | Chevrolet |
| 17 | Riley Herbst | 35 | Toyota |
| 18 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Chevrolet |
| 19 | Todd Gilliland | 34 | Ford |
| 20 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Chevrolet |
| 21 | Erik Jones | 42 | Toyota |
| 22 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | Chevrolet |
| 23 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Toyota |
| 24 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Chevrolet |
| 25 | Joey Logano | 22 | Ford |
| 26 | Josh Berry | 21 | Ford |
| 27 | Cole Custer | 41 | Chevrolet |
| 28 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Chevrolet |
| 29 | Noah Gragson | 4 | Ford |
| 30 | Zane Smith | 4 | Ford |
| 31 | Michael McDowell | 71 | Chevrolet |
| 32 | Connor Zilisch | 88 | Chevrolet |
| 33 | Shane van Gisbergen | 97 | Chevrolet |
| 34 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Chevrolet |
| 35 | Ty Dillon | 10 | Chevrolet |
| 36 | Cody Ware | 51 | Chevrolet |
| 37 | Jesse Love | 33 | Chevrolet |
| 38 | Chad Finchum | 66 | Ford |
| 39 | Joey Gase | 44 | Chevrolet |
| 40 | Daniel Dye | 78 | Chevrolet |
What to Expect at Talladega
Talladega’s 2.66-mile superspeedway layout is famous for its tight packs, drafting battles, and unpredictable outcomes. Even with strong qualifiers like Reddick, Larson, and Hamlin leading the field, victory is far from guaranteed. Drivers starting mid-pack—such as Joey Logano or Kyle Busch—often emerge as serious contenders thanks to strategic drafting and late-race moves.
With a competitive grid, multiple manufacturers in contention, and championship stakes rising, the 2026 Jack Link’s 500 is set to deliver high-speed drama. Fans can expect intense racing, bold strategies, and possibly a surprise winner as NASCAR returns to Talladega’s iconic track.