Frankie Muniz on why the NASCAR playoffs are superior to the sport in general
Actor Frankie Muniz dedicated the last years of his life to pursuing a career in stock car racing and explains why he loves the former current NASCAR playoff racer.
Sports seriously, USA Today
The NASCAR Cup Series hits the biggest, fastest track with the second round of the playoffs at Talladega Superspeedway.
Known for its high-speed racing and wild multi-car accidents known as “The Big One,” Talladega Races can be treacherous and unpredictable. The main goal is to win, of course, but for drivers hoping to advance to the next round, this race is about survival – figuratively speaking – and avoiding disaster that could force a driver into a must-win situation. In an elimination race next weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
There’s only one driver in the playoffs who won’t have to break a sweat in this race: William Byron, who won last weekend’s opening round at Texas Motor Speedway. The victory gave the Hendrick Motorsports driver an automatic spot in the round of eight. However, for the other 11 championship contenders, the pressure is on.
Here’s all the information you need to get ready for Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway:
What time does the Cup race start at Talladega?
The YellaWood 500 begins at 2 PM ET (1 PM CT) at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama.
What TV channel does the Cup race at Talladega broadcast on?
NBC is broadcasting the YellaWood 500 and has a pre-race show starting at 1pm ET (noon local time), while Peacock will have a post-race show at 6pm ET (5pm local time).
Will there be a live broadcast of the Cup race at Talladega?
The YellaWood 500 can be streamed live on NBC Sports website And the NBC Sports app.
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What is the standings heading into the Round 2 race at Talladega?
(*-former champion; s-Qualified to the round of 8:
- s-William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports – 3,083 points
- Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing – 3,074 points
- Chris Buescher, RFK Racing – 3,059 points
- Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing – 3,057 points
- Martin Truex Jr*– Joe Gibbs Racing – 3,056 points
- Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing – 3,049 points
- Brad Keselowski*– RFK Racing – 3045 points
- Kyle Larson*Hendrick Motorsports – 3,039 points
- Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing – 3,037 points
- Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing – 3,036 points
- Ryan Blaney, Team Penske – 3,028 points
- Kyle Busch*Richard Childress Racing – 3022 points
How many laps are there in a Cup race at Talladega?
The YellaWood 500 is 188 laps around the 2.66-mile oval for a total of 500 miles. The race will include three parts (laps for each stage) – Stage 1: 60 laps; Second stage: 60 laps; The third stage: 68 laps.
Who won the last races at Talladega?
Kyle Busch won the April 23, 2023 spring race in double overtime, taking the lead from Bubba Wallace on the final lap before a multi-car accident in turn two brought out the yellow flag, ending the race under caution. It was Busch’s second career Cup Series win at the track.
One year ago in the playoff race, Chase Elliott led a total of 10 laps, leading for the final time after passing Ryan Blaney on the final lap before besting Blaney by 0.046 seconds on October 2, 2022. This was also Elliott’s second career win. Winning the Cup Series at the track.
What is the YellaWood 500 collection?
(Vehicle number in parentheses; F-playoff driver)
1. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford
2. (22) Joey Logano, Ford
3. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford
4. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
5. (6) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford
6. (36) Riley Herbst, Ford
7. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford
8. (24) William Byron (p), Chevrolet
9. (23) Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota
10. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
11. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford
12. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
13. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
14. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
15. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
16. (19) Martin Truex Jr. (F), Toyota
17. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford
18. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford
19. (41) Ryan Brace, Ford
20. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
21. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford
22. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
23. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
24. (17) Chris Buescher (P), Ford
25. (8) Kyle Busch (P), Chevrolet
26. (43) Eric Jones, Chevrolet
27. (51) J. G. Yelley, Ford
28. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
29. (15) Brennan Paul, Ford
30. (31) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
31. (16) A.G. Allmendinger, Chevrolet
32. (1) Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet
33. (77) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
34. (13) Chandler Smith, Chevrolet
35. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
36. (7) Corey Lajoie, Chevrolet
37. (78) B.J. McLeod, Chevrolet
38. (42) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
