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2023 YellaWood 500

{{short description|NASCAR Cup Series race}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox NASCAR race report

| Type = CUST

| Description = Race 31 of 36 in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series

| Race Name = YellaWood 500

| Details ref = {{cite web |title=2023 schedule |url=https://www.jayski.com/nascar-cup-series/2023-nascar-cup-series-schedule/ |website=Jayski.com|publisher=Jayski's Silly Season Site |access-date=August 21, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Talladega Superspeedway|url=http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/talladega-superspeedway.html|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC.|access-date=September 7, 2022|date=January 3, 2013|archive-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428035211/http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/talladega-superspeedway.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nascar/news/nascar-releases-2023-cup-series-schedule-highlighted-by-new-chicago-all-star-race-stops/ |title= NASCAR releases 2023 Cup Series schedule highlighted by new Chicago, All-Star race stops |author=Taranto, Steven |date=September 14, 2022 |accessdate=March 29, 2023 |publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/09/14/nascar-unveils-2023-schedule-three-national-series/ |title=NASCAR unveils 2023 schedule for its national series |date=September 14, 2022 |accessdate=March 29, 2023 |publisher=National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC}}{{cite web|title=Entry List|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/9/30/12331_ENTNUM.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=Jayski's Silly Season Site|access-date=September 25, 2023|date=September 25, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Qualifying Results|url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-cup-series/talledega-superspeedway-2/stn/qualifying/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC.|access-date=September 30, 2023|date=September 30, 2023}}{{cite web|title=YellaWood 500 Results|url=https://www.nascar.com/results/racecenter/2023/nascar-cup-series/talledega-superspeedway-2/stn/results/|website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=October 1, 2023|date=October 1, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Points standings|url=https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/10/1/12331_UNOFFDRIVPTS-1.pdf|website=Jayski.com|publisher=Jayski's Silly Season Site|access-date=October 1, 2023|date=October 1, 2023}}

| Fulldate = {{Start date|2023|10|01}}

| Year = 2023

| Image = Talladega Superspeedway.svg

| Caption =

| Location = Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama

| Course_mi = 2.66

| Course_km = 4.28

| Distance_laps = 188

| Distance_mi = 500.08

| Distance_km = 804.8

| Weather =

| Avg = {{convert|160.097|mph|km/h}}

| Pole_Driver = Aric Almirola

| Pole_Team = Stewart-Haas Racing

| Pole_Time = 52.715

| Most_Driver = Joey Logano

| Most_Team = Team Penske

| Most_laps = 48

| Car = 12

| First_Driver = Ryan Blaney

| First_Team = Team Penske

| Network = NBC

| Announcers = Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

| Ratings =

| Radio = MRN

| Booth_Ann = Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle and Rusty Wallace

| Turn_Ann = Dave Moody (1 & 2), Mike Bagley (Backstretch) and Kurt Becker (3 & 4)

}}

The 2023 YellaWood 500 was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on October 1, 2023, at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Contested over 188 laps on the {{convert|2.66|mi|km|abbr=on}} asphalt superspeedway, it was the 31st race of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, fifth race of the Playoffs, and second race of the Round of 12.

Report

=Background=

File:TalladegaSuperspeedway2.jpg, the track where the race was held.]]

Talladega Superspeedway, originally known as Alabama International Motor Superspeedway (AIMS), is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base in the small city of Lincoln. The track is a tri-oval and was constructed in the 1960s by the International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France family. Talladega is most known for its steep banking and the unique location of the start/finish line that's located just past the exit to pit road. The track currently hosts the NASCAR series such as the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. Talladega is the longest NASCAR oval with a length of {{convert|2.66|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} tri-oval like the Daytona International Speedway, which also is a {{convert|2.5|mi|km|adj=mid|-long|0}} tri-oval.

{{clear}}

==Entry list==

  • (R) denotes rookie driver.
  • (i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
  • (P) denotes playoff driver.
  • (OP) denotes owner’s playoffs car.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
{{Tooltip|No.|Car number}}

! Driver

! Team

! Manufacturer

1Ross Chastain (P)Trackhouse RacingChevrolet
2Austin CindricTeam PenskeFord
3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord
5Kyle Larson (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
6Brad Keselowski (P)RFK RacingFord
7Corey LaJoieSpire MotorsportsChevrolet
8Kyle Busch (P)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
9Chase Elliott (OP)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
10Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord
11Denny Hamlin (P)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
12Ryan Blaney (P)Team PenskeFord
13Chandler Smith (i)Kaulig RacingChevrolet
14Chase BriscoeStewart-Haas RacingFord
15Brennan Poole (i)Rick Ware RacingFord
16A. J. AllmendingerKaulig RacingChevrolet
17Chris Buescher (P)RFK RacingFord
19Martin Truex Jr. (P)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
20Christopher Bell (P)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
21Harrison BurtonWood Brothers RacingFord
22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord
23Bubba Wallace (P)23XI RacingToyota
24William Byron (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
31Justin HaleyKaulig RacingChevrolet
34Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord
36Riley Herbst (i)Front Row MotorsportsFord
38Todd GillilandFront Row MotorsportsFord
41Ryan PreeceStewart-Haas RacingFord
42Carson Hocevar (i)Legacy Motor ClubChevrolet
43Erik JonesLegacy Motor ClubChevrolet
45Tyler Reddick (P)23XI RacingToyota
47nowrap| Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
48Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
51J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingFord
54Ty Gibbs (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
77Ty DillonSpire MotorsportsChevrolet
78B. J. McLeod (i)Live Fast MotorsportsChevrolet
99Daniel SuárezTrackhouse RacingChevrolet
colspan="4"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/9/30/12331_ENTNUM.pdf Official entry list]

Qualifying

Aric Almirola scored the pole for the race with a time of 52.715 and a speed of {{Convert|181.656|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=DeGroot|first=Nick|title=Aric Almirola earns pole position for Talladega Cup race|url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-cup-qualifying-almirola-ford-pole-stewart-haas-talladega/10527289/|website=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|access-date=September 30, 2023|location=Lincoln, Alabama|date=September 30, 2023}}

=Qualifying results=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
Pos

! {{Tooltip|No.|Car number}}

! Driver

! Team

! Manufacturer

! {{Tooltip|R1|Best time in Round 1}}

! {{Tooltip|R2|Best time in Round 2}}

1

| 10 || Aric Almirola || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 52.944 || 52.715

2

| 22 || Joey Logano || Team Penske || Ford || 52.761 || 52.719

3

| 14 || Chase Briscoe || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 52.949 || 52.724

4

| 5 || Kyle Larson (P) || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 52.867 || 52.746

5

| 6 || Brad Keselowski (P) || RFK Racing || Ford || 52.951 || 52.757

6

| 36 || Riley Herbst (i) || Front Row Motorsports || Ford || 52.716 || 52.790

7

| 2 || Austin Cindric || Team Penske || Ford || 52.721 || 52.823

8

| 24 || William Byron (P) || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 52.984 || 52.926

9

| 23 || Bubba Wallace (P) || 23XI Racing || Toyota || 52.942 || 52.934

10

| 12 || Ryan Blaney (P) || Team Penske || Ford || 52.933 || 52.968

11

| 4 || Kevin Harvick || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 52.992 || —

12

| 11 || Denny Hamlin (P) || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 53.021 || —

13

| 45 || Tyler Reddick (P) || 23XI Racing || Toyota || 53.039 || —

14

| 3 || Austin Dillon || Richard Childress Racing || Chevrolet || 53.048 || —

15

| 20 || Christopher Bell (P) || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 53.052 || —

16

| 19 || Martin Truex Jr. (P) || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 53.073 || —

17

| 38 || Todd Gilliland || Front Row Motorsports || Ford || 53.085 || —

18

| 34 || Michael McDowell || Front Row Motorsports || Ford || 53.100 || —

19

| 41 || Ryan Preece || Stewart-Haas Racing || Ford || 53.105 || —

20

| 48 || Alex Bowman || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 53.121 || —

21

| 21 || Harrison Burton || Wood Brothers Racing || Ford || 53.128 || —

22

| 54 || Ty Gibbs (R) || Joe Gibbs Racing || Toyota || 53.129 || —

23

| 9 || Chase Elliott (OP) || Hendrick Motorsports || Chevrolet || 53.142 || —

24

| 17 || Chris Buescher (P) || RFK Racing || Ford || 53.143 || —

25

| 8 || Kyle Busch || Richard Childress Racing || Chevrolet || 53.216 || —

26

| 43 || Erik Jones || Legacy Motor Club || Chevrolet || 53.232 || —

27

| 51 || J. J. Yeley (i) || Rick Ware Racing || Ford || 53.242 || —

28

| 99 || Daniel Suárez || Trackhouse Racing || Chevrolet || 53.266 || —

29

| 15 || Brennan Poole (i) || Rick Ware Racing || Ford || 53.281 || —

30

| 31 || Justin Haley || Kaulig Racing || Chevrolet || 53.281 || —

31

| 16 || A. J. Allmendinger || Kaulig Racing || Chevrolet || 53.341 || —

32

| 1 || Ross Chastain (P) || Trackhouse Racing || Chevrolet || 53.365 || —

33

| 77 || Ty Dillon || Spire Motorsports || Chevrolet || 53.449 || —

34

| 13 || Chandler Smith (i) || Kaulig Racing || Chevrolet || 53.470 || —

35

| 47 || Ricky Stenhouse Jr. || JTG Daugherty Racing || Chevrolet || 53.505 || —

36

| 7 || Corey LaJoie || Spire Motorsports || Chevrolet || 53.731 || —

37

| 78 || B. J. McLeod (i) || Live Fast Motorsports || Chevrolet || 53.841 || —

38

| 42 || Carson Hocevar (i) || Legacy Motor Club || Chevrolet || 0.000 || —

colspan="7"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/9/30/12331_QUALRES.pdf Official qualifying results]

Race

=Race results=

==Stage results==

Stage One

Laps: 60

class="wikitable" style="font-size:98%
Pos

! {{Tooltip|No|Car Number}}

! Driver

! Team

! Manufacturer

! Points

112Ryan Blaney (P)Team PenskeFord10
224William Byron (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet9
35Kyle Larson (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet8
49Chase Elliott (OP)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet7
548Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet6
62Austin CindricTeam PenskeFord5
731Justin HaleyKaulig RacingChevrolet4
822Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord3
941Ryan PreeceStewart-Haas RacingFord2
107Corey LaJoieSpire MotorsportsChevrolet1
colspan="6"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/10/1/12331_UNOFFRES-1.pdf Official stage one results]

Stage Two

Laps: 60

class="wikitable" style="font-size:98%
Pos

! {{Tooltip|No|Car Number}}

! Driver

! Team

! Manufacturer

! Points

16Brad Keselowski (P)RFK RacingFord10
224William Byron (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet9
322Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord8
43Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet7
59Chase Elliott (OP)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet6
699Daniel SuárezTrackhouse RacingChevrolet5
714Chase BriscoeStewart-Haas RacingFord4
85Kyle Larson (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet3
977Ty DillonSpire MotorsportsChevrolet2
1045Tyler Reddick (P)23XI RacingToyota1
colspan="6"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/10/1/12331_UNOFFRES-1.pdf Official stage two results]

=Final Stage results=

Stage Three

Laps: 68

class="wikitable" style="font-size:98%
Pos

! Grid

! {{Tooltip|No|Car Number}}

! Driver

! Team

! Manufacturer

! Laps

! Points

11012Ryan Blaney (P)Team PenskeFord18850
2824William Byron (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet18853
31211Denny Hamlin (P)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota18834
4367Corey LaJoieSpire MotorsportsChevrolet18834
572Austin CindricTeam PenskeFord18837
63031Justin HaleyKaulig RacingChevrolet18835
7239Chase Elliott (OP)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet18843
81941Ryan PreeceStewart-Haas RacingFord18831
9636Riley Herbst (i)Front Row MotorsportsFord1880
102899Daniel SuárezTrackhouse RacingChevrolet18832
113413Chandler Smith (i)Kaulig RacingChevrolet1880
121738Todd GillilandFront Row MotorsportsFord18825
13314Chase BriscoeStewart-Haas RacingFord18828
141520Christopher Bell (P)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota18823
1545Kyle Larson (P)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet18833
161345Tyler Reddick (P)23XI RacingToyota18822
17110Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord18820
181619Martin Truex Jr. (P)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota18819
192417Chris Buescher (P)RFK RacingFord18818
203116A. J. AllmendingerKaulig RacingChevrolet18817
211834Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord18816
223547Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet18815
23923Bubba Wallace (P)23XI RacingToyota18814
24222Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord18824
25258Kyle Busch (P)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet18812
262643Erik JonesLegacy Motor ClubChevrolet18811
273377Ty DillonSpire MotorsportsChevrolet18812
282048Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet18815
293778B. J. McLeod (i)Live Fast MotorsportsChevrolet1870
302915Brennan Poole (i)Rick Ware RacingFord1860
312121Harrison BurtonWood Brothers RacingFord1756
3256Brad Keselowski (P)RFK RacingFord16115
33143Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet16111
342254Ty Gibbs (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota1613
353842Carson Hocevar (i)Legacy Motor ClubChevrolet1610
362751J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingFord830
37321Ross Chastain (P)Trackhouse RacingChevrolet591
DSQ114Kevin Harvick {{efn|name=DQ|Harvick originally finished second, but was disqualified after failing post-race inspection as it was discovered that his car's windshield fasteners was not securely installed.}}Stewart-Haas RacingFord1881
colspan="8"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/10/1/12331_UNOFFRES-1.pdf Official race results]

=Race statistics=

  • Lead changes: 70 among 24 different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 4 for 19 laps
  • Red flags: 1 for 9 minutes and 57 seconds
  • Time of race: 3 hours, 7 minutes, and 25 seconds
  • Average speed: {{convert|160.097|mph|km/h}}
  • Margin of victory: 0.012 seconds

Media

=Television=

NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and six-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. called the race from the broadcast booth. Dave Burns, Kim Coon, Dillon Welch, and Marty Snider handled the pit road duties from pit lane.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"
colspan="2"|NBC
Booth announcersPit reporters
Lap-by-lap: Rick Allen
Color-commentator: Jeff Burton
Color-commentator: Steve Letarte
Color-commentator: Dale Earnhardt Jr.		Dave Burns
Kim Coon
Dillon Welch
Marty Snider

=Radio=

MRN had the radio call for the race, which was also simulcasted on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle and Rusty Wallace called the race for MRN when the field races thru the tri-oval. Dave Moody called the action from turn 1, Mike Bagley called the action for MRN when the field races down the backstraightaway, and Kurt Becker called the race from the Sunoco tower just outside of turn 4. Steve Post, Georgia Henneberry, Brienne Pedigo, and Jason Toy called the action for MRN from pit lane.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
colspan="3"|MRN
Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters
Lead announcer: Alex Hayden
Announcer: Jeff Striegle
Announcer: Rusty Wallace		Turns 1 & 2: Dave Moody
Backstretch: Mike Bagley
Turns 3 & 4: Kurt Becker		Steve Post
Georgia Henneberry
Brienne Pedigo
Jason Toy

Standings after the race

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Drivers' Championship standings

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Pos

! Driver

! Points

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

| William Byron

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,136

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px

| style="text-align:center;"| 2

| Denny Hamlin

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,108 (–28)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 3

| Christopher Bell

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,080 (–56)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 7

| style="text-align:center;"| 4

| Ryan Blaney

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,078 (–58)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 2

| style="text-align:center;"| 5

| Chris Buescher

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,077 (–59)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 6

| Martin Truex Jr.

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,075 (–61)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 7

| Kyle Larson

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,073 (–63)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 8

| Brad Keselowski

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,060 (–76)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 9

| Tyler Reddick

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,058 (–78)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 10

| Bubba Wallace

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,051 (–85)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px 5

| style="text-align:center;"| 11

| Ross Chastain

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,050 (–86)

style="background:#D4AF37;"

|align="left"| 10px

| style="text-align:center;"| 12

| Kyle Busch

| style="text-align:center;"| 3,034 (–102)

align="left"| 10px 2

| style="text-align:center;"| 13

| Joey Logano

| style="text-align:center;"| 2,111 (–1,025)

align="left"| 10px

| style="text-align:center;"| 14

| Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

| style="text-align:center;"| 2,111 (–1,025)

align="left"| 10px 1

| style="text-align:center;"| 15

| Michael McDowell

| style="text-align:center;"| 2,103 (–1,033)

align="left"| 10px 3

| style="text-align:center;"| 16

| Kevin Harvick

| style="text-align:center;"| 2,103 (–1,033)

class="sortbottom"

!colspan="9"|[https://www.jayski.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2023/10/1/12331_UNOFFDRIVPTS-1.pdf Official driver's standings]

{{col-2}}

;Manufacturers' Championship standings

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Pos

! Manufacturer

! Points

align="left"| 10px

| style="text-align:center;"| 1

| Chevrolet

| style="text-align:center;"| 1,145

align="left"| 10px

| style="text-align:center;"| 2

| Toyota

| style="text-align:center;"| 1,076 (–69)

align="left"| 10px

| style="text-align:center;"| 3

| Ford

| style="text-align:center;"| 1,065 (–80)

class="sortbottom"

  • Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.

{{col-end}}

Notes

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{NASCAR next race

| Series = NASCAR Cup Series

| Monsteryear = 2023

| Previous_race = 2023 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400

| Next_race = 2023 Bank of America Roval 400

}}

{{2023 NASCAR Cup}}

YellaWood 500

YellaWood 500

YellaWood 500

Category:NASCAR races at Talladega Superspeedway