Last updated: Sun, 4/26 @ 7:25 p.m. ET.
🏁Jack Link's 500: Key takeaways
- Outright winner: After starting 12th, Carson Hocevar (+1400) secured the first Cup Series win of his career.
- Podium: Chris Buescher topped all RFK Racing drivers by finishing second, while Alex Bowman took third place.
CARSON HOCEVAR WINS AT TALLADEGA! pic.twitter.com/5B6WQFi87T
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 26, 2026
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Jack Link's 500 odds: Favorites & full field
The Jack Link's 500 runs at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Below are the latest outright odds, followed by the picks and market-by-market best bets we like this week.
| Driver |  |
|---|---|
| Tyler Reddick | +900 |
| Ryan Blaney | +900 |
| Brad Keselowski | +1100 |
| Kyle Larson | +1100 |
| Bubba Wallace | +1200 |
| Joey Logano | +1400 |
| Denny Hamlin | +1400 |
| Carson Hocevar | +1400 |
| Chase Elliott | +1400 |
| Austin Cindric | +1600 |
| William Byron | +1700 |
| Kyle Busch | +2000 |
| Chris Buescher | +2000 |
| Ty Gibbs | +2200 |
| Chase Briscoe | +2500 |
| Ryan Preece | +2500 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +2800 |
| Christopher Bell | +2800 |
| Michael McDowell | +2800 |
| Todd Gilliland | +3000 |
Odds as of 4-25.
Check out the full Jack Link's 500 field here, and note that qualifying was canceled due to rain.
Tyler Reddick on pole for Talladega after qualifying rainout https://t.co/DYPACr8mDV
— Jayski (@jayski) April 25, 2026
Best bets card (updated Sunday)
- ❌ Outright: William Byron (+1400)
- ❌ Outright: Bubba Wallace (+1400)
- ❌ Top 5: Brad Keselowksi (+185)
- ✅ Matchup: Daniel Suarez (+130) over Ryan Preece
- ❌ Matchup: Christopher Bell (+110) over Kyle Busch
Who's hot? Who's not?
- 🔥 Denny Hamlin — Top 10 in six of last seven races.
- 🔥 Kyle Larson — Ninth or better in six of last seven overall.
- ❄️ Kyle Busch — No Top 20s in five straight.
- ❄️ Josh Berry — Only one Top 10 in his last eight tries.
Track breakdown: What wins at Talladega Superspeedway?
- Aggressive drivers tend to do the best at Talladega, assuming they don't crash.
- Having a car that handles well in the draft is crucial, as it's difficult to both get to and maintain the lead.
Key stats & driver profiles to target
- NASCAR has flipped the stage lengths around to make Stage 1 longer than both Stage 2 and Stage 3. This could lead to more open-throttle racing in Stage 3, and potentially more cautions.
- Both 2025 races at Talladega were decided by a last-lap pass.
Drivers to watch
- Tyler Reddick has had a knack for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat this year and won here in 2024.
- Austin Cindric won last year's Talladega spring race via a last-lap pass and is fifth in average rating across the last four races here.
Odds movement & market notes
- Kyle Busch has started in the Top 5 in four straight races here. If he qualifies like that again, he'll take action, regardless of how poorly he's fared in 2026.
- Austin Cindric has rolled off the grid seventh or better in five straight Talladega starts. He could be another popular Sunday morning bet.
- Ty Gibbs was among the biggest movers Saturday into Sunday, falling from +3000 to +2200. He'll start in ninth.
Outright picks: Winners to bet
Pick 1: William Byron (+1400)
Typically keeps his nose clean, allowing him a late win chance.
- Track Fit: Top 7 in five of last six races at Talladega.
- Recent Form: Eighth or better in five of last six overall.
- Market Value: Playable at +1000 or longer.
Risk: As low as it gets considering the venue.
Pick 2: Bubba Wallace (+1400)
Talladega is one of Wallace's best tracks.
- Track Fit: A former winner here, has rattled off three straight Top 10s.
- Recent Form: Exits a fifth-place finish at Kansas.
- Market Value: Would still play him down to +1000.
Risk: Has yet to win this season.
Best Top 5 bets
Pick 1: Brad Keselowksi (+185)
Usually finishes well at drafting tracks if able to avoid the wrecks.
- Track Fit: Second in both 'Dega races in 2024.
- Recent Form: Top 20 in every race in 2026.
- Market Value: +160 is the lowest I'd go.
Risk: Last drafting track win was in 2021.
Best matchup & head-to-head bets
Pick 1: Daniel Suarez (+130) over Ryan Preece
Suarez is getting disrespected by the books.
- Matchup Advantage: Suarez has outfinished Preece in five of last seven at Talladega.
- Key Stat: Suarez has beaten Preece on both drafting tracks in 2026.
Risk: Results are more volatile here looking beyond probable Top 10.
Pick 2: Christopher Bell (+110) over Kyle Busch
Busch shouldn't be favored in this market.
- Matchup Advantage: Busch hasn't had a Top 10 all year.
- Key Stat: Busch has missed the Top 10 in five straight at this track.
Risk: Bell is only 18th in average finish at drafting tracks since 2024.
Best Top 10 parlay
William Byron
Christopher Bell
Daniel Suarez
Let's swing for the fences at tricky Talladega.
Byron is as good a bet as any to avoid accidents, and I think Bell and Suarez will overachieve on Sunday afternoon.
How to watch the Jack Link's 500
| Location: | Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln, AL |
| Date: | Sunday, April 26, 2026 |
| Start time: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Check out the full weekend schedule for the 2026 Jack Link's 500.
Talladega Superspeedway weather
Clouds are expected to linger over the track after Saturday thunderstorms, but there's only a 20% chance of precipitation on an 81-degree Sunday in Lincoln, AL.
Previous Jack Link's 500 winners
| Year | Winner | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Austin Cindric | Ford |
| 2024 | Tyler Reddick | Toyota |
| 2023 | Kyle Busch | Chevrolet |
| 2022 | Ross Chastain | Chevrolet |
| 2021 | Brad Keselowski | Ford |
Jack Link's 500 betting FAQ
When is the 2026 Jack Link's 500?
The green flag drops on the Jack Link's 500 at approximately 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Where will the 2026 Jack Link's 500 be held?
Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, AL will host the Jack Link's 500.
Who is the 2026 Jack Link's 500 favorite?
Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick are co-favored at +900 to win the Jack Link's 500.
Who won the Jack Link's 500 last year?
Austin Cindric won the 2025 Jack Link's 500.
How do Jack Link's 500 prop bets work?
You can bet on drivers to place in the Top 3, 5, or 10, or take a look at the various head-to-head driver matchup props.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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