If it’s a big venue, NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell has a chance to stand out.
The No. 71 Chevrolet driver did it again Saturday, earning the pole position for Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 titleholder, clocked a hot qualifying lap at 182.466 mph Saturday, securing his second pole of the season.
Chase Briscoe finished 0.019 seconds behind McDowell and will lead the Round of 8 playoff pilots from the outside of the front row Sunday.
Anything for an extra fraction of a second. pic.twitter.com/wN1SHr5pID
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 18, 2025
Casey Mears Chasing 500 Milestone
Sixteen-year veteran Casey Mears is preparing for his 491st Cup start Sunday.
He’s not satisfied.
Mears aims to join the 500 club, becoming the 48th driver to reach that milestone. The 2007 Coca-Cola 600 titleholder, Mears is slated to pilot the No. 66 Ford.
In 27 career starts at Talladega, Mears, noted for his restrictor plate race success, has completed 89 percent of his laps at ‘Dega.
“Patience is the key and being able to predict what could happen in front of me,” Mears said, via Casey Mears PR. “I try to make strategic moves to improve my position and avoid any potential issues.”
Mears on Saturday qualified last.
You know the drill.
This is @TALLADEGA. pic.twitter.com/2nwfYyhK0X
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 18, 2025
NASCAR Cup Series’ YellaWood 500 Starting Lineup
Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway:
Starting Position, Driver, Car No.
- 1, Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
- 2, Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
- 3, Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 4, Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
- 5, Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
- 6, Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
- 7, Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
- 8, Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
- 9, Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
- 10, Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
- 11, Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 12, Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
- 13, William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
- 14, Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
- 15, Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
- 16, Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
- 17, Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
- 18, Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
- 19, Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
- 20, Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
- 21, Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
- 22, Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 23, Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
- 24, Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
- 25, Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
- 26, Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet
- 27, Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
- 28, John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
- 29, Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
- 30, Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- 31, Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet
- 32, Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
- 33, Austin Hill, No. 33 Chevrolet
- 34, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
- 35, Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
- 36, Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
- 37, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
- 38, Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Chevrolet
- 39, BJ McLeod, No. 78 Chevrolet
- 40, Casey Mears, No. 66 Ford
The Round of 8 is headed down to DEGA. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AQZdP29vcT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 15, 2025
