NASCAR Predictions for YellaWood 500, Starting Lineup at Talladega – 10/25/26

The NASCAR YellaWood 500 starts this afternoon on Sunday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. ET at Talladega Superspeedway on NBC.

Sunday’s race features 188 laps spanning 500 miles at this drafting track. Three races remain in the Chase for the Cup, concluding with a driver crowned the champion at Homestead on November 8.

Tyler Reddick captured the checkered flag for the first time in 24 races in last Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500 in Phoenix. Reddick picked up his season-best sixth victory as he tries for his second career win at Talladega.

Below, we'll break down our NASCAR YellaWood 500 predictions and pick to win for Sunday’s race, including top driver picks for PrizePicks.

Make your NASCAR picks for the YellaWood 500 on PrizePicks now!

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NASCAR YellaWood 500, Top 10 Predictions for Talladega – Sunday, October 25

Carson Hocevar came out on top in the April event at Talladega, winning the Jack Link’s 500 for his first victory at this track. Hocevar didn’t finish in the Top 10 in either of the first two stages and started 12th but still found a way into the winner’s circle.

Chase Briscoe looks to defend his crown at the YellaWood 500 after holding off Todd Gilliand and Ty Gibbs last October. Briscoe owns three Top-5 finishes in his last 20 races at drafting tracks (Daytona, Atlanta, & Talladega), while placing 29th at the April race.

Anything can happen at Talladega with its 2.6-mile oval-shaped course, as accidents have knocked out at least seven drivers in the past two events at this venue.

In the last 12 races at Talladega since October 2020, there have been 12 different winners, including the likes of Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Bubba Wallace, and Austin Cindric.

One driver to keep an eye on is Gilliand, who has finished in the Top 12 in six of the last eight races at Talladega.

The race to the crown is a tight one, with three races to go as Kyle Larson sits atop the leaderboard. Larson owns a 5-point lead over Christopher Bell and a 24-point edge over Briscoe, who has already won a pair of races in the Chase.

NASCAR YellaWood 500 Winner Payouts on PrizePicks

The favorite to win the YellaWood 500 is Ryan Blaney, entering Sunday's race (2:00 p.m. ET), according to PrizePicks Team Picks.

Blaney currently has a 8.33x payout ($100 pays out $833) if he wins, while Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Briscoe are right behind him at a 10x payout to win at Talladega, according to PrizePicks.

Here are the payouts for drivers to win the NASCAR YellaWood 500 Winner from Talladega Superspeedway on PrizePicks. Make your YellaWood 500 pick on 'Yes' or 'No' to a driver to win.

Make your NASCAR picks for the YellaWood 500 on PrizePicks — and earn real money if you're right, available in Alabama!

Payout multipliers listed below (like 2x) indicate real-money earnings if your NASCAR predictions are correct; for example, 2x on a $100 entry pays $200 if correct on PrizePicks Team Picks — available in 36 states, including Alabama. “Yes” payouts represent a specific outcome occurring, whereas "No" payouts indicate the opposite.

NASCAR Starting Lineup for YellaWood 500: Briscoe Earns Pole Position

Qualifying for the NASCAR YellaWood 500 took place on Saturday afternoon. Briscoe captured his first pole of the season thanks to the fastest Talladega pole since 2022 at 186.065 MPH. 

In Briscoe’s last five races starting on the first two rows (fourth or higher), he has placed in the Top 5 four times.

Austin Hill is the surprise name on the front row, marking the second time he has started higher than 10th this season. Hill has never won in 38 career races on the NASCAR circuit, as his best finish in 2026 is 18th at Pocono in June.

Here is the full NASCAR YellaWood 500 starting lineup at Talladega Superspeedway for Sunday’s race at 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC. 

Row 1: Chase Briscoe / Austin Hill

Row 2: Connor Zilisch / Shane van Gisbergen

Row 3: Chris Buescher / Christopher Bell

Row 4: Alex Bowman / Ty Gibbs

Row 5: Denny Hamlin / Kyle Larson

Row 6: Cody Ware / Austin Dillon

Row 7: Daniel Suarez / Riley Herbst

Row 8: Ross Chastain / Joey Logano 

Row 9: William Byron / Chase Elliott

Row 10: Ryan Preece / Cole Custer 

Row 11: Josh Berry / Brad Keselowski

Row 12: Michael McDowell / Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

Row 13: Bubba Wallace / Carson Hocevar

Row 14: Ryan Blaney / Austin Cindric

Row 15: Erik Jones / Ty Dillon

Row 16: Zane Smith / John H. Nemechek

Row 17: Tyler Reddick / Casey Mears

Row 18: Todd Gilliand / Daniel Dye

Row 19: AJ Allmendinger / Joey Gase

Row 20: Noah Gragson / Gray Gaulding

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NASCAR YellaWood 500 Predictions, Driver Picks for Talladega

Here are three of the top YellaWood 500 picks to target in the NASCAR race from Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Top PrizePicks NASCAR picks are headlined by three drivers: Carson Hocevar, Denny Hamlin, and Ty Gibbs.

Carson Hocevar – 11.5 Finishing Position

Carson Hocevar to Finish Top 10 in YellaWood 500 via PrizePicks Team Picks: Yes 2.22x | No 1.58x

• Hocevar finished 12th at Phoenix last Sunday, marking his fourth consecutive race unable to close within the Top 11.
• He has figured out Talladega over the last three races, placing sixth twice before winning the April event.
• In his last 10 races at drafting tracks, he has finished 10th or higher seven times. All three finishes outside the Top 10 came at Daytona.
• Hocevar has closed 19th or worse in five of seven races when beginning 20th or lower (he starts 26th). 

Add Carson Hocevar to your PrizePicks NASCAR Picks for the YellaWood 500.

Denny Hamlin – 12.5 Finishing Position

Denny Hamlin to Finish Top 10 in YellaWood 500 via PrizePicks Team Picks: Yes 2.08x | No 1.16x

• Hamlin looks to snap a 17-race winless streak after capturing three consecutive victories midseason.
• He is coming off his second-worst finish of the season, placing 28th at Phoenix. 
• Talladega has not been friendly to Hamlin, closing 15th or lower in three straight outings.
• In the last nine races at drafting tracks, Hamlin placed 13th or worse seven times. He barely snuck above that threshold at Atlanta (12th) and Daytona (11th) this summer.

Add Denny Hamlin to your PrizePicks NASCAR Picks for the YellaWood 500.

Ty Gibbs – 13.5 Finishing Position

Ty Gibbs to Finish Top 10 in YellaWood 500 via PrizePicks Team Picks: Yes 2.77x | No 1.08x

• Gibbs closed 10th last Sunday at Phoenix, marking his first Top-10 finish in the last four races.
• In eight career races at Talladega, Gibbs has finished 17th or lower six times, including four closes below 30th. 
• Gibbs has compiled 13 of 17 finishes inside the Top 13 when starting in the Top 8. He begins eighth this afternoon, his second-highest start at Talladega.
• His best effort at Talladega came in last season’s YellaWood 500, placing third and capturing the first stage.

Add Ty Gibbs to your PrizePicks NASCAR picks for the YellaWood 500.

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Make NASCAR YellaWood 500 Predictions on PrizePicks

The Chase for the Cup is getting tight with three races remaining. Will Talladega be as unpredictable as ever and crown a winner nobody expects?

Don’t wait until lock — make your NASCAR YellaWood 500 predictions on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

There are unique picks on the NASCAR board for every race, including driver points and starting position; just pick at least two drivers to build your lineup on PrizePicks. Or, make your picks on race winners on Team Picks, now available in 36 states, including Alabama!

Stay locked in to Playbook throughout the season for more NASCAR picks, predictions, and news every day.