TALLADEGA, Ala. —
Racing fans, get ready to start your engines; NASCAR’s YellaWood 500 returns to Alabama this weekend.
Thousands of racing fans are expected to swarm Talladega Superspeedway as NASCAR’s biggest stars try to conquer the sport’s longest, highest-banked track.
Read below for everything you need to know about the 2026 YellaWood 500:
When is the YellaWood 500?
The YellaWood 500 begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct.25, but many events will be held leading up to the big race.
Full scheduleFriday, Oct. 2310 a.m. — Parking lots and Fan Zone open10:15-10:30 a.m. — Tyler Ankrum Chevy driver appearance10:30-10:45 a.m. — Christian Eckes and Daniel Hemric Chevy driver appearances11 a.m. — Grandstand gates open (EP 4 and EP 7); corporate suites, fan suites and Club 212 open; Talladega Garage Experience opens; YellaWood Pit Road Club and garage suites open11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying1:15-1:30 p.m. — Andres Perez de Lara Chevy driver appearance; Cleetus McFarland Q&A1:30-1:45 p.m. — Grant Enfinger Chevy driver appearance; Logitech G Behind the Wheel with Frankie Muniz1:45-2 p.m. — Thomas Annunziata Q&A2:35 p.m. — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series fan track access2:40 p.m. — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver introductions3 p.m. — Love’s RV Stop 225: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race6 p.m. — Talladega Nights movie screening at Big Bill’s in the Talladega Garage Experience7:30 p.m. — Buckin’ Dega Rodeo, presented by Straight Talk WirelessSaturday, Oct. 24 7 a.m. — Parking lots open; NASCAR credentialing hours begin (through 2:30 p.m.)7 a.m.-7 p.m. — Track credentialing hours8 a.m. — Fan Zone, Talladega Garage Experience, YellaWood Pit Road Club and garage suites open9 a.m. — Grandstand gates open (EP 1, EP 3, EP 4 and EP 7 for guest entry); corporate suites, premium boxes, Turn 4 Balcony, fan suites and Club 212 open9-9:15 a.m. — Carson Kvapil Q&A9-10 a.m. — The Front Stretch with Pat Patterson10-11:30 a.m. — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series qualifying10-10:15 a.m. — John Hunter Nemechek Q&A10-10:30 a.m. — Noah Gragson Whisper Challenge10:15-10:30 a.m. — Connor Zilisch Q&A10:20-10:35 a.m. — Daniel Suarez Chevy driver appearance10:30-11 a.m. — AJ and Aero Allmendinger autograph signing; Logitech G Behind the Wheel with Bubba Wallace10:35-10:50 a.m. — Michael McDowell Chevy driver appearance11:15-11:30 a.m. — Ross Chastain Q&A11:45 a.m.-noon — Logitech G Behind the Wheel with Anthony AlfredoNoon-1:30 p.m. — Hardee’s qualifying: NASCAR Cup Series raceNoon-12:15 p.m. — Taylor Gray Q&A; Corey Day Chevy driver appearanceNoon-1 p.m. — The Mane Event Mullet Contest12:15-12:30 p.m. — Dean Thompson Q&A12:35-12:50 p.m. — Justin Allgaier Chevy driver appearance1-1:15 p.m. — Carson Kvapil and Rajah Caruth Chevy driver appearances; Justin Allgaier Q&A1-1:30 p.m. — Talladega Nights cast autograph signing1:45 p.m. — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series fan track access2:05 p.m. — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver introductions2:30 p.m. — The Progress Group 250: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race; Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Q&A6 p.m. — Gates open for Saturday night concert7:30 p.m. — Saturday night concert featuring Brantley Gilbert
Sunday, Oct. 25
7 a.m. — Parking lots open7 a.m.-1 p.m. — Track credentialing hours8 a.m. — Fan Zone opens8:15-9 a.m. — Trackside Chapel featuring Joey Logano8:30 a.m. — Talladega Garage Experience, YellaWood Pit Road Club and garage suites open; NASCAR credentialing hours begin (through 1 p.m.)8:30-8:45 a.m. — Ross Chastain Chevy driver appearance9-9:15 a.m. — Carson Hocevar Chevy driver appearance9-9:30 a.m. — The Custer Report featuring Cole Custer9:15-9:30 a.m. — Kyle Larson Chevy driver appearance9:30 a.m. — Grandstand gates open (EP 1, EP 2, EP 3, EP 4 and EP 7 for guest entry); corporate suites, Turn 1 Deck presented by Fuel by Franzia, premium boxes, Turn 4 Balcony, fan suites and Club 212 open9:30-9:45 a.m. — Ross Chastain Q&A; Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Q&A9:40-9:55 a.m. — Alex Bowman Chevy driver appearance9:45-10 a.m. — Track walk; Xfinity Fastest Lap featuring Tyler Reddick; Cole Custer Q&A10-10:30 a.m. — Freeway Insurance Safest Lap with Daniel Suarez10:10-10:25 a.m. — Josh Berry Q&A; William Byron Chevy driver appearance10:25-10:40 a.m. — Austin Dillon Chevy driver appearance10:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. — Fan track access10:30-10:45 a.m. — Josh Harris Q&A; Austin Hill Q&A12:05 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series drivers meeting12:30 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions1 p.m. — YellaWood 500: NASCAR Cup Series race Where can I buy tickets?
To purchase tickets, click here.
Parking
Find your lot here.
Camping
Talladega offers outside and infield camping, from dry sites to RV spots with water, power and full hookups. Some campgrounds are sold out, with waitlists available for select sites.
For details, click here.
The weather could not be much better for the Fall race weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Mornings will be chilly, and the days will be warm and dry with a light breeze, full sunshine and a pleasant feel that does not happen often in Alabama.
You can get hour-by-hour temperature forecasts for the Superspeedway and any point in the United States from the free WVTM 13 app.
Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.