Carson Hocevar secured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega during the Jack Links 500 on April 26, defeating Chris Buescher. The race saw multiple crashes, leaving only 21 cars on the lead lap by the end.
Key points
Carson Hocevar won his first NASCAR Cup Series race
Hocevar picked up his first NASCAR Cup Series win in the Jack Links 500 on Sunday, April 26 at the track in east Alabama over Chris Buescher.
A crash from the front with Bubba Wallace on lap 115 took out four contenders and left just 20 cars on the lead lap. By the end, just 21 cars were on the lead lap and eight cars did not finish the race after a late spin from Erik Jones.
NASCAR Cup Series gets back to action on May 3 at 2:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 1 from Texas Motor Speedway.
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Noah Gragson, driver of the #4 Grillo's Pickles/ Pabst Blue Ribbon Ford, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Q&A
When did Carson Hocevar win his first NASCAR Cup Series race?
Carson Hocevar won his first NASCAR Cup Series race on April 26, 2026.
Who did Carson Hocevar beat to win the Jack Links 500?
Carson Hocevar beat Chris Buescher to win the Jack Links 500.
What caused the crash during the Jack Links 500?
A crash involving Bubba Wallace on lap 115 took out four contenders during the Jack Links 500.
How many cars finished on the lead lap in the Jack Links 500?
By the end of the Jack Links 500, only 21 cars finished on the lead lap.
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TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 WeatherTech Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Chad Finchum, driver of the #66 Knox Hydrate Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Daniel Dye, driver of the #78 Champion Container Corporation Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Amazon Prime Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Saia Freight & Logistics Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili's Ride the 'Dente Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Wurth Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Long Beard XR Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
1 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
1 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
2 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Noah Gragson, driver of the #4 Grillo's Pickles/ Pabst Blue Ribbon Ford, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
3 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
4 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 WeatherTech Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
5 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Chad Finchum, driver of the #66 Knox Hydrate Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
6 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Daniel Dye, driver of the #78 Champion Container Corporation Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
7 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
8 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
9 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Amazon Prime Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
10 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Saia Freight & Logistics Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
11 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
12 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Chili's Ride the 'Dente Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
13 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
14 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Wurth Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
15 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Long Beard XR Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
16 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
17 / 17
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway: See photos from Jack Links 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
New stage lengths see new strategies
The spring race was the first to see a 98-lap first stage, with the second and third stage moving to 45 laps each. It forced teams to make two stops in the first stage, with some teams using varying strategies on when they came down pit lane. Some teams split it into even thirds while others tried to gain an advantage later in the race by waiting to make the second stop closer to the end of the stage, getting a shorter pit stop between the stages. The stage went green the whole time but five cautions in the second half of the race didn't allow for the strategies to be fully played out.
Bubba Wallace got turned from the lead on lap 115 and collected at least eight cars and took out Joey Logano, Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney. Wallace, Logano and Blaney are previous winners at the track and were near the front at the time of the accident. The crash left just 20 cars on the lead lap, meaning half the field was either behind or out of the race with more than 70 laps to go in the race. With 20 to go, seven cars were out and another 10 were at least one lap down including Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, who were leading early.
Early mistake costs Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin led more than 20 laps ahead of the first set of green flag pitstops and was apart of the first group to head down to pit road. Hamlin had a clean stop but was hit with a speeding penalty, putting him one lap down. After serving his penalty, Hamlin was down a lap. He narrowly avoided going two laps down thanks to teammate Christopher Bell not passing him with the lead pack and was able to stay just one lap down at the end of the first stage. Hamlin wasn't able to get back to the lead lap until late in the race, thanks to a late caution.
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports, Jax State athletics, the outdoors in Alabama and more for the Gadsden Times and USA TODAY Network. Find him on Twitter/X@_Max_Donaldsonand contact him atMDonaldson@usatodayco.com.
