Carson Hocevar claimed victory at the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 in Talladega, showcasing impressive driving skills. The race featured intense competition among top drivers including Erik Jones and Ross Chastain.
Key points
Carson Hocevar wins NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500
Race held at Talladega Superspeedway
Event took place on April 26, 2026
Erik Jones and Ross Chastain were key competitors
Mentioned in this story
Talladega Superspeedway
Carson HocevarErik JonesRoss ChastainNASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Erik Jones, driver of the #43 Dollar Tree Toyota, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey VentraCool Air Chevrolet, race during 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: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, pits during 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: A general view of racing during 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, spins after an on-track incident during 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
Who won the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega?
Carson Hocevar won the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega.
What notable moves did Carson Hocevar make during the race?
Carson Hocevar made strategic moves that helped him secure the lead and ultimately win the race.
When did the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 take place?
The NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 took place on April 26, 2026.
Which other drivers were prominent in the Talladega race?
Erik Jones and Ross Chastain were among the prominent drivers competing in the Talladega race.
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TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey VentraCool Air Chevrolet, race during 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: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, drives a damaged car after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: The #12 Wurth Ford, driven by Ryan Blaney is towed after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: The #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, driven by Joey Logano is towed after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, spin after an on-track incident during 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, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, and Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, spin after an on-track incident during 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 Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, and Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, drive after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: A general view of racing during 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: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 King's Hawaiian UBE Coconut Rolls Toyota, William Byron, driver of the #24 Phorm Energy Chevrolet, and Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Long Beard XR Chevrolet, race during 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, Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey VentraCool Air Chevrolet, Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Chef Boyardee Chevrolet, Cody Ware, driver of the #51 Super.com Chevrolet, and Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, during 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, leads the field to the green flag to start 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, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
1 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Erik Jones, driver of the #43 Dollar Tree Toyota, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey VentraCool Air Chevrolet, race during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Erik Jones, driver of the #43 Dollar Tree Toyota, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey VentraCool Air Chevrolet, race during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, pits during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: A general view of racing during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Saia Freight & Logistics Toyota, spins after an on-track incident during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, and Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey VentraCool Air Chevrolet, race during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, drives a damaged car after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
7 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: The #12 Wurth Ford, driven by Ryan Blaney is towed after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
8 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: The #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, driven by Joey Logano is towed after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
9 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, spin after an on-track incident during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford, Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/FrogTape Ford, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, and Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, spin after an on-track incident during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, and Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, drive after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
12 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: A general view of racing during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 King's Hawaiian UBE Coconut Rolls Toyota, William Byron, driver of the #24 Phorm Energy Chevrolet, and Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Long Beard XR Chevrolet, race during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Long Beard XR Chevrolet, Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey VentraCool Air Chevrolet, Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Chef Boyardee Chevrolet, Cody Ware, driver of the #51 Super.com Chevrolet, and Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, during 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, leads the field to the green flag to start 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 / 16
NASCAR race at Talladega: Cup Series drivers compete in Jack Link's 500
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 26: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Rockstar Energy Drink Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, lead the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2026 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
Ready or not, we just got a fifth version of that often-flogged Hollywood horse.
And this time the Boys in Rewrite made a major overhaul. Instead of Janet Gaynor or Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand or Lady Gaga, the newly christened star is a lanky lad from outside Kalamazoo.
Carson Hocevar's victory celebration overshadowed the win that got him there.
Carson Hocevar's victory celebration overshadowed the win that got him there.
No one was going to be surprised if Carson Hocevar, upon finally bagging that first Cup Series win, put his own signature on the victory celebration. And yes, we were overdue for something beyond beaten-to-death burnouts and donuts.
But nobody saw that coming.
Every now and then, a racer has one of these moments where even the clerks in Purchasing are chattering about it Monday morning. Carson Hocevar’s side-saddle victory cruise was just that.
And thank the Lord, because before that, all we really had was the Big One to beat all Big Ones, which is saying something for a place where the Big One was birthed — Talladega, which can also now claim delivery of Carson Hocevar as not just a NASCAR star but also a winner.
First Gear
Hocevar’s path to victory was cleared a bit by the aforementioned Big One. This one claimed some immediate DNFs among the 26 cars involved. Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace and William Byron were among the quality plate-racers whose days were ruined, while others got enough damage to render them incapable of seriously contending.
Ty Gibbs expanded the list when he wrecked shortly after the restart.
That helps explain why the top-10 running order in the closing laps included some strangers. Jeez, even Alex Bowman and Kyle Busch got up there and reminded us they were still here. Howdy, fellas, try to make yourselves at home.
Second Gear
All of the in’s and out’s of how Hocevar arrived first at the checkers are secondary to the celebration he eventually pulled off afterward. “Eventually” because it took him a minute to fully figure out how to drive his Chevy while sitting on the “window sill” with his upper body hanging out there for all to see.
Hocevar’s bubblegum card lists him at 6-foot-4, and if that’s a stretch, it’s only a tad of one — he’s up there, and for a modern racer, he’s basically Manute Bol. That allowed him to stretch one of those long legs far enough to work the gas and, also importantly, the brake.
And yes, after he nudged it to a stop, head-on against the outside wall in front of the cheering crowd, he did indeed depress the gas one more time to melt some Goodyears and throw some smoke. The post-race burnout must be written into the rules at this point.
Some were reminded of the time Dale Earnhardt did something similar 40 years earlier at Richmond, though his "hand out" was more out of necessity — his windshield needed a wipe.
And here’s the best news. There’s a lot of monkey-see/monkey-do in auto racing (and all over, frankly). From climbing the fence to the Polish victory lap to the endless line of donuts and burnouts, no quality victory celebration goes without imitators.
This one, however, will surely remain unique to Hocevar. With the possible exception of Michael McDowell, he’s the only guy with the stilts to do it.
Third Gear
Anything that gets NASCAR injected positively into the consciousness of the non-race fans is obviously welcomed by NASCAR. But are we teetering a little too far toward show-biz right now?
You have to wonder about that in the aftermath of the Talladega weekend, which included a Saturday ARCA race, which included two racers with fictional names: Cleetus McFarland and Squirrel McNutt.
On birth certificates, they’re known as Garrett Mitchell and George Siciliano, a pair of YouTube stars who use their love of racin’ as fodder for much online entertainment. Cleetus, making his third ARCA start of the year — he’s also made one start in both the Trucks and O’Reilly Series — amazingly led 19 laps before finishing second by just a tenth of a second.
Squirrel was making his second career ARCA start, but his day ended early when he caught too much of a Lap 70 crash.
Cleetus has made a Daytona 500 start his goal and is taking his large audience along for the ride. NASCAR has forced him to pump the brakes once or twice and smartly so. There’s a line to navigate between entertainment and serious competition within a billion-dollar industry where bad things can happen.
Saturday’s showing at Talladega will only speed up Cleetus McFarland’s roll, or at least his ambition. That’s probably a good thing, but keep that brake pedal handy for a while longer.
Fourth Gear
Let’s assume this wasn’t an oversight, but either a new front-office blueprint or simply a brief void that’ll soon be filled.
Whatever, NASCAR currently has an empty presidential office. Steve O’Donnell, who’d been president for just a year, was promoted to CEO of NASCAR this past weekend, replacing Jim France.
O’Donnell had replaced Steve Phelps, who was preceded by Brent Dewar (2017-18) and Mike Helton, who in 2000 became the first NASCAR president not named Bill France.
On paper, there was a vacancy between Helton and Dewar, and yet the trams kept running on time and there were officially licensed caps on every head.
