The spotlight of the racing world will be fixed on Talladega Superspeedway for this weekend's GEICO 500.
Fans will be waiting with bated breath as they see their favorite drivers try to avoid getting into The Big One. With 33-degree banking in the turns and speeds regularly approaching 180 mph, that's easier said than done.
Last year, Ross Chastain captured the checkered flag in this race, getting past Kyle Larson and Erik Jones on the final lap to snag his second NASCAR Cup Series win of the season. It was another indication of Chastain's growing influence in the series and a sort-of prequel to his Championship 4 appearance.
Who could take the crown this time around? Between Chastain, Larson, Denny Hamlin and even Bubba Wallace, plenty of drivers do some of their best work on the 2.66-mile superspeedway. The best way to give yourself a chance? Stay away from the carnage.
MORE: Watch Cup NASCAR Series races live with Fubo (free trial)
With that, here's what you need to know about the starting lineup for Sunday's GEICO 500.
Who won the pole for Talladega in 2023?
Denny Hamlin captured the pole for Sunday's race with a 180.751 mph qualifying lap on Saturday. It's his 37th career pole but his first this season, and his first all time at Talladega.
"If I had qualified 18th I’d have been just as optimistic. Although, I will say qualifying on the pole means my car is very capable and will be fast leading," the Joe Gibbs Racing vet said afterward, per NASCAR.com. "I haven’t been fast in the Next Gen era while leading on superspeedways so certainly that gives me the confidence we should be able to lead the pack quickly, which will make it harder for them to pass us."
NASCAR at Talladega starting lineup 2023
Joining Hamlin on the front row for Sunday is Stewart-Haas Racing's Aric Almirola, who will be looking to snag his second win at Talladega. He won the 2018 fall race.
MORE: Date, time, TV channels for every NASCAR Cup Series race in 2023
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 2 | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 3 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 4 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 5 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 6 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 7 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 8 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 9 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 10 | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
| 11 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 12 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 13 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 14 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 15 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 16 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 17 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 18 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 19 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 20 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
| 21 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 22 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 23 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 24 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 25 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 26 | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 27 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 28 | Todd Gilliland | 36 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 29 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 30 | Noah Gragson | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 31 | Austin Hill | 62 | Beard Motorsports |
| 32 | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 33 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 34 | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 35 | Zane Smith | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 36 | Riley Herbst | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 37 | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 38 | JJ Yeley | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
