NASCAR lineup at Talladega: Starting order, pole for GEICO 500 based on qualifying results

David Suggs

NASCAR lineup at Talladega: Starting order, pole for GEICO 500 based on qualifying results image

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

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.