NASCAR Talladega playoff race 2023: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for YellaWood 500-InfoExpress

The NASCAR Cup Series arrives at its largest and fastest track as the second round of the playoffs speed into Talladega Superspeedway.

Known for its high-speed pack racing and wild, multi-car crashes known as “The Big One,” races at Talladega can be treacherous and unpredictable. The main objective is to win, of course, but for the playoff drivers hoping to advance to the next round, this race is all about survival – in the figurative sense – and avoiding a calamity that could force a driver into a must-win situation in the elimination race next weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

There is only one playoff driver who will not have to sweat this race: William Byron, who won the second-round opener last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. That victory gave the Hendrick Motorsports driver an automatic berth into the Round of 8. For the 11 other championship contenders, however, the pressure is on.

Here is all the information you need to get ready for Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway:

What time does the Cup race at Talladega start?

The YellaWood 500 starts at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local) at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama.

What TV channel is the Cup race at Talladega on?

NBC is broadcasting the YellaWood 500 and has a pre-race show beginning at 1 p.m. ET (noon local), while Peacock will have a post-race show at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local).

Will there be a live stream of the Cup race at Talladega?

The YellaWood 500 can be live streamed on the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app.

NASCAR PLAYOFFS: Where the drivers stand after first race of second round

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What are the standings heading into second-round race at Talladega?

(*-former champion; x-clinched spot in Round of 8):

x-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 — 3,045 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 — 3,022 points

How many laps is the 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 feature three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 60 laps; Stage 2: 60 laps; Stage 3: 68 laps.

Who won the most recent races at Talladega?

Kyle Busch won the spring race on April 23, 2023 in double overtime, taking the lead from Bubba Wallace on the final lap before a multi-car crash in Turn 2 brought out the yellow flag, ending the race under caution. It was Busch's second career Cup Series win at the track.

And one year ago in the playoff race, Chase Elliott led 10 total laps, taking the lead for the last time after passing Ryan Blaney on the final lap before edging Blaney by 0.046 seconds on Oct. 2, 2022. It was also Elliott's second career Cup Series win at the track.