The NASCAR Cup Series’ GEICO 500 is set to take place on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. The race will be aired at 3:00 p.m ET on FOX.
The starting grid will be determined by random draws that account for where each driver stands in the points race. Here’s how it works.
- Positions 1-12: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points
- Positions 13-24: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points
- Positions 25-36: Random draw from charter teams in those positions in owner points
- Positions 37-40: Open teams in order of owners points
Martin Truex Jr. has claimed the pole in the draw, and is joined be Dixie Vodeka 400 winner Denny Hamlin on the front row. As of Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook lists Truex at +1800 and Hamlin at +1000.
Joey Logano is the favorite (+800) to come out on top at the longest track on the Cup Series schedule. He has three top five finishes in his last four races at the venue and has three wins under his belt at Talladega. He’s trailed by Chase Elliott (+900) who has one win at Talladega.
Brad Keselowski (+1000) and Ryan Blaney (+1200) round out the top five. Keselowski is fourth in the standings and has two wins this season while Blaney sits in fifth and has yet to get a win this year.
Here is the full starting grid for Sunday’s GEICO 500.
GEICO 500 starting lineup
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| Pos | Driver | Car |
| 1 | Martin Truex, Jr. | 19 |
| 2 | Denny Hamlin | 11 |
| 3 | Kyle Busch | 18 |
| 4 | Jimmie Johnson | 48 |
| 5 | Kevin Harvick | 4 |
| 6 | Brad Keselowski | 2 |
| 7 | Kurt Busch | 1 |
| 8 | Alex Bowman | 88 |
| 9 | Joey Logano | 22 |
| 10 | Clint Bowyer | 14 |
| 11 | Chase Elliott | 9 |
| 12 | Ryan Blaney | 12 |
| 13 | Matt Kenseth | 42 |
| 14 | Ryan Newman | 6 |
| 15 | Aric Almirola | 10 |
| 16 | Tyler Reddick | 8 |
| 17 | Austin Dillon | 3 |
| 18 | Erik Jones | 20 |
| 19 | William Byron | 24 |
| 20 | Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. | 47 |
| 21 | Chris Buescher | 17 |
| 22 | John Hunter Nemechek | 38 |
| 23 | Matt DiBenedetto | 21 |
| 24 | Bubba Wallace | 43 |
| 25 | Corey LaJoie | 32 |
| 26 | Michael McDowell | 34 |
| 27 | Brennan Poole | 15 |
| 28 | Cole Custer | 41 |
| 29 | Gray Gaulding | 27 |
| 30 | B.J. McLeod | 77 |
| 31 | Ryan Preece | 37 |
| 32 | Quin Houff | 0 |
| 33 | Ty Dillon | 13 |
| 34 | J.J. Yeley | 53 |
| 35 | Christopher Bell | 95 |
| 36 | Joey Gase | 51 |
| 37 | Daniel Suarez | 96 |
| 38 | Timmy Hill | 66 |
| 39 | Brendan Gaughan | 62 |
| 40 | Garrett Smithley | 78 |