Best of the Rest: Talladega

The trucks? Off another weekend…but the ARCA Menards Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Cup Series teams entered Talladega last weekend for the next race on their respective schedules. Talladega, one of the largest, fastest tracks on the schedule, is always a breeding ground for chaos and surprises.

Considered one one of three pack racing tracks NASCAR races on a handful of times a year, one has to be ready to expect the unexpected.

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ALABAMA MANUFACTURED HOUSING 200

Winner: Andy Jankowiak

#71 Andy Jankowiak

I would like to start this out with being a tad bit biased. Born and living in Buffalo, NY …I do not have the connections and culture available some do…which is why this win is so special to me. Race winner Andy Jankowiak hails from the Buffalo area, and was able to score one of the biggest surprises of the Talladega weekend.

Jankowiak, who has raced a limited ARCA schedule with KLAS Motorsports during the last handful of seasons, scored his first career ARCA win in a daring run for the checkers. Starting his #71 Chevrolet in 10th, Jankowiak worked his way to the front of field late in the going. Following a late race push from Cleetus McFarland on the outside, Jankowiak led the very last lap for his first win.

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AG-PRO 300

Winner: Corey Day

#17 Corey Day

Following in the footsteps of Jankowiak, Corey Day was able to score his first career NOAP Series win at Talladega that same Saturday. Day, who moved to the NOAP Series full-time in 2026 with the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports team has spent much of the season in the spotlight…for both the right and wrong reasons. Showing flashes of potential and speed in limited 2025 starts, Day’s season has been a roller coaster. From being considered a virtual wrecking ball on the track in the beginning of the season, Day has learned to smooth his approach in recent weeks, and has now scored his first career win because of it.

Qualifying his #17 Chevrolet in 3rd, Day survived the constant flow of running positions associated with pack racing to score the win, again only leading the last lap…but the lap that counts most. In his 2026 NOAP Series rookie campaign, Day’s previous best was a 2nd place run in Martinsville.

 

#87 Austin Green

Not to be underscored by Day’s run, another rookie had what could be considered an even more brilliant run in Talladega. Noted road course specialist Austin Green has also moved to the NOAP Series in 2026, bringing a new team in Peterson Racing Group with him. While Green also showed strong potential in limited 2025 runs, Green and his Peterson team have both faced a steep learning curve in 2026 as they go at it alone (Green had an alliance with Jordan Anderson Racing in 2025). Talladega was a large bright spot for both team and driver. Starting the #87 Chevrolet 31st, Green was able to lead 5 laps midway through the event, and left Talladega with a 10th-place effort.

Green’s best finish previously came at the Charlotte ROVAL in the #87 where he finished 2nd. Green also collected a handful of other top ten finishes in Jordan Anderson Racing’s #32 Chevrolet throughout 2025.

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JACK LINK’S 500

Winner: Carson Hocevar

#77 Carson Hocevar

On Sunday, Hocevar said hold my margarita as Hocevar made it a first-time winner sweep of the weekend at Talladega. Hocevar graduated from the trucks to a full-time Cup effort with Spire Motorsports’ #77 Chevrolet in 2024. While the building process has been long and slow, Hocevar and Spire have quietly evolved into a team capable of running with the powerhouse teams.

2026 has been a breakout year in a sense for both Hocevar and Spire Motorsports. Hocevar’s aggressive style has faced its share of criticism, but has allowed the Spire Motorsports to be able to navigate these new waters at the front of the field. On Sunday, the result of all that work came to fruition, with Hocevar scoring his first career Cup Series win after taking the lead on the last lap.

 

#48 Alex Bowman

While a proven driver such as Bowman would not normally be considered for this article series, amendments can always be made. For Hendrick Motorsports’ Bowman, the 2026 season has been one of challenges that began with bad luck on a weekly basis. From there, Bowman was sidelined with severe vertigo issues following race three in COTA, causing him to miss the next fives races until Bristol a few weeks ago. Following return finishes of 37th (Bristol) and 18th (Kansas), Bowman and his #48 Chevrolet team returned to form in Talladega. Starting his Chevrolet in 20th, Bowman drove a smart race, and was able to crack the top five for the first time this season, finishing 3rd.

A veteran of 367 Cup starts and 8 career Cup wins, Talladega was Bowman’s best performance since finishing second at Richmond in 2025. Talladega had to feel like a victory following a rough 2026 start, followed by such severe health issues.