YellaWood 500
Only three races are left in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and the YellaWood 500 at Talladega will be a big one. One spot has already been claimed in the Championship Race at Phoenix on November 2. That means that three spots remain for those who are hoping to have a shot at winning the title.
Denny Hamlin was the big winner last week in Las Vegas and he is the one with the spot secured. Other than that, it is a very competitive sprint to the finish.
How to Watch The YellaWood 500
When: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Where: Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, AL
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Standings
The race winners so far are William Byron (2), Kyle Larson (3), Christopher Bell (4), Denny Hamlin (6), Shane van Gisbergen (5), Ryan Blaney (3), Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, Chase Briscoe (2), Chase Elliott (2), Bubba Wallace, and Austin Dillon through 30 points races. Hamlin’s win at Las Vegas not only gave him back the outright lead on victories, it also made him the only one with two wins during the playoffs.
All remaining playoff drivers had their point totals set to 4000 and then bonus points accumulated during the season were then added. The bottom four in points of the playoff drivers will be cut from contention after each round of three races.
After last week’s South Point 400, here are the playoff standings.
- Denny Hamlin 4090
- Kyle Larson 4086
- Christopher Bell 4071
- Chase Briscoe 4066
- William Byron 4051
- Chase Elliott 4043
- Joey Logano 4042
- Ryan Blaney 4035
The top four finishers from last week are the top four in points going into this weekend’s race. Hamlin already has his berth squared away for the Championship Race. To remove all doubt, any one of these drivers can do the same with a win. Otherwise, the top three in points will get the chance to move on.
2025 NASCAR Cup Championship Playoffs Schedule
Round of 16
Cook Out Southern 500 (Darlington) – August 31, 6 p.m. ETEnjoy Illinois 300 (World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison) – September 7, 3 p.m. ETBass Pro Shops Night Race (Bristol) – September 13, 7:30 p.m. ET
Round of 12
Mobil 1 301 (New Hampshire) – September 21, 2 p.m. ETHollywood Casino 400 (Kansas) – September 28, 3 p.m. ETBank of America Roval 400 (Charlotte) – October 5, 3 p.m. ET
Round of 8
South Point 400 (Las Vegas) – October 12, 5:30 p.m. ET- YellaWood 500 (Talladega) – October 19, 2 p.m. ET
- Xfinity 500 (Martinsville) – October 26, 2 p.m. ET
Championship Race
- NASCAR Cup Championship Race (Phoenix) – November 2, 3 p.m. ET
YellaWood 500 Winners
Talladega is not only a solid Eric Church song, but also a twice-a-year stop for the NASCAR Cup Series. So that means we have a ton of data points to consider. But, consistency can be tough to find on the big track.
Over the last 10 races, there have been 10 different race winners. Byron has five top-five finishes, but has not been able to cross the finish line first. Brad Keselowski also has five top-finishes without a win. Hamlin, Elliott, Blaney, and Larson all have three top-five finishes each. Byron has the highest average finish by more than three positions over any other regular driver.
Steve Makinen’s YellaWood 500 Predictions
For the latest odds and VSiN’s NASCAR Best Bets, head to our NASCAR Hub to see Steve Makinen’s final simulation results and more stats on the drivers.
Last week’s Las Vegas final simulation pegged five of the top six and the eventual winner was our #2 projection. LVMS is A LOT more predictable track than this week’s destination, Talladega, which gets a handicap-ability grade of D-. That said, we did score a 16-1 winner here in April with Austin Cindric. To no one’s surprise, Cindric is our initial simulation projected winner once again, and he is followed closely by both of his Penske Racing teammates, Joey Logano & Ryan Blaney. Both of those latter drivers probably need a win to eventually move on to the final four at Phoenix in a couple weeks, joining Denny Hamlin. Of course, anything can and will happen at Talladega, so buckle up.
