Talladega Superspeedway is set for an action-packed day as it hosts both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series on Saturday, October 18. The schedule includes nearly six hours of qualifying and racing events, showcasing some of the sport’s top talents.
Talladega Superspeedway Schedule for Saturday
The racing action will kick off with Xfinity Series qualifying at 11:30 a.m. ET. The championship contenders will compete in a 94-lap race scheduled for 4 p.m. Austin Hill, a notable driver who has recently been eliminated from the playoffs, is the latest winner at this venue. He clinched victory in this event, while Sammy Smith triumphed here last October.
Cup Series Qualifying Information
Following the Xfinity Series action, Cup Series qualifying will commence at 1:30 p.m. This session will determine the lineup for Sunday’s prestigious 500-mile race. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is the defending champion of this race, having won it last year. Austin Cindric also has notable history at Talladega; he secured a win here in April and qualified for the playoffs.
Chase Elliott, entering the Cup race, currently sits below the cutline but is among the select few playoff drivers with recent victories at Talladega, adding to the intensity of the upcoming race.
Saturday’s Full Schedule (All Times Eastern)
- Garage Open: 1 – 7 p.m. (Cup Series)
- Garage Open: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Xfinity Series)
- Xfinity Qualifying: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (CW App)
- Cup Qualifying: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
- Xfinity Race: 4 p.m. (94 laps, 250.04 miles; Stage 1 at Lap 25, Stage 2 at Lap 50; Fox, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Weather Forecast
Weather conditions on Saturday are expected to be mostly sunny, with a high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit. There is only a 5% chance of rain and winds will range from 5 to 10 mph. By the time the Xfinity race starts, temperatures are predicted to be around 84 degrees with no chance of rain.
This Saturday promises an exciting day at Talladega Superspeedway, attracting NASCAR fans with thrilling competition and significant stakes as the playoff race intensifies.
