Ross Chastain captures checkered flag at Talladega on thrilling final lap: One lap. That’s all it took for Ross Chastain to drop a watermelon and raise a trophy in celebration. The 29-year old Floridian led only the last – typically frantic – lap in the GEICO 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Sunday to take his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory. Chastain was running third behind Erik Jones and Kyle Larson with one lap remaining. Larson pulled out of line to the outside poised to make a pass for the lead. But, Jones pulled in front of Larson to block the momentum while Chastain kept his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet steady below them maintaining pace ultimately pulling away to the win as the other two cars lost momentum battling each other.[Read More](4-24-2022)
#1-Ross Chastain won the GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. The win is his 2nd of the year and 2nd career win.
#3-Dillon finished 2nd followed by #18-Busch, #5-Larson, #19-Truex, Jr., #43-Jones, #9-Elliott, #34-McDowell, #48-Bowman, and #4-Harvick.
#43-Erik Jones was the leader at the white flag with Larson and Chastain behind him. Coming into the tri-oval for the finish, Larson and #1-Busch got together and Jones got loose when trying to move up to make a block. Chastain jumped to the lead to take the win.
Pole winner #20-Bell finished 22nd after a spin coming off pit road that forced him a lap down late in the race.
Stage 1 was won by #23-Wallace. Stage 2 was won by #24-Byron.
There were 41 lead changes among 16 drivers and 6 cautions for 28 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 148.637mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points Standings, Owner Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Infraction Report.
Race Fast Facts – Talladega Superspeedway:
Ross Chastain won the 53rd Annual GEICO 500, his second victory in 125 Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and sixth top-10 finish in 2022.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in seven races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Austin Dillon (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in 18 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his fifth top-10 finish in 2022.
Kyle Busch (third) posted his ninth top-10 finish in 34 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Austin Cindric (21st) was the highest finishing rookie.
(NASCAR)
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Talladega Superspeedway:
Race 10 of 26 in the regular season
1) #24-William Byron [2 wins], 334
2) #1-Ross Chastain [2 wins], 292
3) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win], 312
4) #48-Alex Bowman [1 win], 309
5) #5-Kyle Larson [1 win], 299
6) #14-Chase Briscoe [1 win], 246
7) #2-Austin Cindric [1 win], 238
8) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 178
9) #9-Chase Elliott, 368
10) #12-Ryan Blaney, 347
11) #22-Joey Logano, 308
12) #19-Martin Truex Jr., 298
13) #10-Aric Almirola, 265
14) #4-Kevin Harvick, 252
15) #3-Austin Dillon, 245
16) #20-Christopher Bell, 243
See the Driver Points Standings and Owner Points Standings.
Paint Schemes
Cars to the rear: #62-Gragson (unapproved adjustments)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway have been made.
Pole winner #20-Christopher Bell chose pit stall 1.
Outside pole sitter #19-Martin Truex Jr. took the 22nd stall.
See all pit choices on the Talladega Superspeedway Pit Stall page.
#20-Christopher Bell won the Busch pole for the GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with speed of 180.928mph for his second pole of the year, first at Talladega Superspeedway and second of his career.
#19-Martin Truex, Jr. will start second followed by #16-Daniel Hemric, #99-Daniel Suarez, #5-Kyle Larson, #45-Kurt Busch, #11-Denny Hamlin, #24-William Byron, #23-Bubba Wallace, and #8-Tyler Reddick.
39 teams were entered so everyone made the race.
See the complete qualifying results and the GEICO 500 Starting Lineup.
Qualifying Order
Talladega Superspeedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Christopher Bell won the Pole Award for the 53rd Annual GEICO 500 with a lap of 52.927 seconds, 180.928 mph.
This is his second pole in 82 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and seventh top-10 start in 2022.
This is his first pole in five races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Martin Truex Jr. (second) posted his second top-10 start of 2022 and his 12th in 35 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Daniel Hemric(i) (third) posted his second top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his second in four races this season.
Austin Cindric (18th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR)
Crew Rosters
The Entry List for the GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted, 39 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Ragan, #16-Hemric, #44-Biffle, #55-Yeley, #62-Gragson, #77-Cassill.
Since 39 cars are entered, no one will miss the race.
See the full entry list on the GEICO 500 Entry List page.
Cup Series TandemDraft Stats: GEICO 500 at Talladega 4/24/22
Goodyear Fast Facts — Talladega Superspeedway
