Bubba Wallace scores historic triumph in rain-shortened NASCAR Cup race at Talladega: A strong push from Byron’s Chevrolet turned Justin Allgaier’s Camaro sideways as the cars thundered through the tri-oval on Lap 56. Allgaier shot up the track into Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, severely damaging the front suspension and the sheet metal on the driver’s side of the car. Larson was able to make minimum speed after a restart on Lap 65. The caution for the five-car wreck that crippled Larson’s car also encompassed the end of Stage 1, won by non-Playoff driver Chris Buescher.[Read More](10-4-2021)
#23-Bubba Wallace won the rain shortened YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday afternoon for his first career win.
#2-Keselowski finished 2nd followed by #22-Logano, #1-Busch, #20-Bell, #17-Buescher, pole sitter #11-Hamlin, #4-Harvick, #43-Jones, and #38-Alfredo.
Wallace took the lead on lap 113 and was in front of the field when an accident on lap 116 put the race under caution. Rain started to fall shortly thereafter and NASCAR threw the red flag on lap 117. Rain continued and NASCAR called the race about a half hour later when they did not have time to dry the track before dark.
There was also an 18 minute red flag on lap 74 to dry the track after a brief rain shower in turns 1 and 2.
Several playoff drivers had tough days: #5-Larson was caught in an accident just before the end of stage 1. He finished 37th.
An accident on lap 98 collected three Playoff drivers: #18-Busch, #19-Truex, Jr., #48-Bowman. Bowman was unable to continue and finished 38th.
#24-Byron was caught in a wreck on lap 116 just before the rain started. He finished 36th.
Stage 1 was won by #17-Buescher.
There were 35 lead changes among 19 drivers and 5 cautions for 26 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 130.218mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – Talladega:
Bubba Wallace won the 53rd Annual YellaWood 500, his first victory in 144 Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in 2021.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in nine races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Brad Keselowski (P) (second) posted his 13th top-10 finish in 27 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his 14th top-10 finish in 2021.
Joey Logano (P) (third) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 27 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Anthony Alfredo (10th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Denny Hamlin (P) leads the point standings by 19 points over Kyle Larson (P).
This is the first time in history there has been a winner from all three series in a single weekend at the same track.
(NASCAR)(10-4-2021)
Where the 2021 Cup Series Playoff drivers finished at Talladega:
#2-Brad Keselowski, 2nd
#22-Joey Logano, 3rd
#20-Christopher Bell, 5th
#11-Denny Hamlin, 7th
#4-Kevin Harvick, 8th
#19-Martin Truex, Jr., 12th
#12-Ryan Blaney, 15th
#9-Chase Elliott, 18th
#18-Kyle Busch, 27th
#24-William Byron, 36th
#5-Kyle Larson, 37th
#48-Alex Bowman, 38th
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Talladega:
(Race 31 of 36 in the season; 2 of 3 in the Round of 12)
1) #11-Denny Hamlin [Win in Round of 12], 3116
2) #5-Kyle Larson, 3097, +22
3) #22-Joey Logano, 3096, +21
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 3095, +20
5) #19-Martin Truex, Jr., 3095, +20
6) #12-Ryan Blaney, 3090, +15
7) #9-Chase Elliott, 3084, +9
8) #18-Kyle Busch, 3084, +9 ahead 9th
Below the cutoff for the Round of 8
9) #4-Kevin Harvick, 3075, -9 behind 8th
10) #20-Christopher Bell, 3056, -28
11) #24-William Byron, 3040, -44
12) #48-Alex Bowman, 3032, -52
See the Driver Points Standings and Owners Point Standings.
YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway Postponed to Monday: Inclement weather forced the postponement to Sunday’s YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race at Talladega Superspeedway. As a result, it has been rescheduled for Monday at 12:00 p.m. CDT.
Paint Schemes
Cars to the rear: #00-Houff (failed inspection twice), #53-Gase (failed inspection twice), #66-Davison (driver change)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway have been made.
Pole winner #11-Hamlin chose pit stall 1.
Outside pole sitter #18-Busch took the 15th stall, with an opening in front of it.
See all pit choices on Pit Stall chart.(9-30-2021)
#11-Denny Hamlin will start from the pole for the YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
#18-Busch will start second, followed by #9-Elliott, #12-Blaney, #5-Larson, #19-Truex, Jr., #2-Keselowski, #22-Logano, #4-Harvick and #24-Byron.
The lineup was set by the qualifying metrics, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete starting order on the YellaWood 500 Starting Lineup page.(9-29-2021)
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
The Entry List for the YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Smithley, #16-Haley, #53-Gase, #66-Davison, #77-Allgaier, #96-Cassill.
See the full entry list on the YellaWood 500 Entry List page.
There will not be practice or qualifying at Talladega.
2021 Cup Series: YellaWood 500 at Talladega TandemDraft Stats
