NASCAR Qualifying Today: Time, Channel, and Format

If you're looking to catch all the action from today's NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Talladega, you'll want to know exactly when it starts, where to watch, and how the format could shake up the grid. With playoff implications and a unique two-round system in play, there's more at stake than just pole position. Wondering how the top contenders stack up and where you can tune in? There's a lot you won't want to miss next.

Event Overview: NASCAR Qualifying at Talladega

On Saturday, the NASCAR Cup Series will conduct qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway for the YellaWood 500.

A total of forty drivers will participate in a two-round qualifying format. In the initial round, all drivers will complete single laps, with the top ten times advancing to a second round. In Round 2, these ten drivers will compete to determine their positions in the starting lineup.

The qualifying order will be determined based on previous race finishes and the standings in owner points, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of performance leading into the race.

The Talladega Superspeedway is a 2.66-mile track that serves as a venue for these playoffs, marking the eighth appearance of the Next Gen cars in this series.

As the drivers seek pole position, the qualifications will likely influence race strategies and outcomes in the main event.

Today’s Qualifying Schedule and Start Times

NASCAR Cup Series qualifying for the YellaWood 500 is scheduled for today, October 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. ET.

This event at the Talladega Superspeedway is crucial as it determines the starting lineup for the race, with playoff drivers competing for advantageous positions.

The qualifying procedure consists of two rounds, where each driver competes as a single vehicle on the track for one lap. Only the top 10 drivers from the first round will advance to the second round.

Coverage of the event is available live on truTV in the USA, while viewers in the UK can watch it on Viaplay starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.

This qualifying session is particularly significant because it can impact the race strategy and performance of the playoff contenders.

How to Watch: TV Channels and Streaming Options

To watch today’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying for the YellaWood 500, viewers have several broadcast and streaming options available.

The qualifying event is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 18. In the United States, the event will be broadcast live on truTV, which is the designated channel for NASCAR Cup Series coverage.

For viewers in the United Kingdom, coverage will be provided by Viaplay starting at 6:30 p.m. ET. Canadian audiences can access the live broadcast on TSN at the same Eastern time.

In India, viewers can choose from various streaming services such as Hulu TV, YouTube TV, and dd12stream.com to watch the event.

This range of options allows fans from different regions to engage with the qualifying event effectively.

Qualifying Format and Procedures

This year’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Talladega utilizes a two-round format aimed at determining optimal starting positions for the race.

The process consists of single vehicle qualifying, where each driver is allowed one lap to record their best time. In the initial round, all competitors participate, but only the top 10 fastest times will progress to the second round for a chance to secure the pole position.

Driver placements are calculated using a metric score, which comprises 70% of the driver's finish in the previous race and 30% of the current owner points. Furthermore, playoff drivers are prominently marked for easy identification, indicating their status within the championship contention.

The qualifying event will be broadcast on truTV on Saturday, October 18, 2025, allowing viewers to observe the process live.

Complete Qualifying Order and Notable Drivers

The qualifying order for the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega includes a total of forty drivers.

Anthony Alfredo (i) secured the pole position with a 42.2 metric score. Following Alfredo, Casey Mears (i) qualified second, and Austin Hill (i) took the third spot. The top five is completed by Ty Dillon in fourth and Cody Ware in fifth place.

Among notable drivers, Ryan Blaney (P) is the highest-ranked playoff competitor, securing the 11th position with a 29.0 metric score.

In contrast, Denny Hamlin (P) is positioned 39th among playoff drivers, indicating a challenging start for him at this event.

It's important to note that only the ten fastest drivers from Round 1 will advance to secure the prime starting positions for the YellaWood 500, which holds significant implications for the race outcome at Talladega.

This qualifying session underscores the competitive landscape of the Cup Series and the critical nature of performance during the qualifying rounds.

Key Playoff Contenders and Current Points Standings

The qualifying order has established the framework for the YellaWood 500, but attention now turns to the drivers leading the playoff standings and their current point totals.

Denny Hamlin is at the forefront with 4090 points following his recent victory, solidifying his position as a strong contender for the championship. Close behind, Kyle Larson holds second place with 4086 points, demonstrating consistent performance throughout the playoffs.

Christopher Bell remains in third with 4071 points, reflecting a reliable competitive edge. Chase Briscoe is positioned fourth at 4066 points, indicating his potential to advance further in the playoffs.

Rounding out the top five is William Byron with 4051 points. Each of these drivers is focused on advancing through the championship stages while maintaining their points standings.

Weekend Race Schedule for Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series

The NASCAR weekend at Talladega Superspeedway is structured over three days, with each racing series being featured on a specific day.

The schedule begins on Friday, October 17, with the Craftsman Truck Series race scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

Following this, Saturday, October 18, includes several key events: Xfinity Series qualifying at 11:30 a.m. ET, Cup Series qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET, and culminates with the United Rentals 250 race at 4 p.m. ET.

The weekend concludes on Sunday, October 19, with the Cup Series YellaWood 500 set to start at 2 p.m. ET.

Notably, there are no practice sessions included in the weekend's agenda, indicating a focus solely on qualifying and racing performances.

Weather Forecast for Talladega Race Weekend

The weather forecast for Talladega race weekend indicates that conditions will generally be favorable for fans and teams, but will vary as the weekend progresses.

On Friday, October 17, the forecast predicts partly cloudy skies with a high temperature of 85°F and a minimal 3% chance of rain, which should facilitate Truck Series qualifying and racing events.

Moving into Saturday, the Xfinity Series race is also expected to benefit from mostly sunny weather and a low likelihood of precipitation.

However, the outlook for Sunday’s Cup Series race presents a different scenario. With an anticipated 59% chance of rain and the possibility of isolated thunderstorms, this could significantly influence racing strategies at Talladega.

Decision-making regarding tire selections and fuel strategies may need to be adjusted based on the evolving weather conditions.

Broadcast Information and Media Resources

NASCAR Cup Series qualifying for the YellaWood 500 is scheduled to be broadcast live on truTV on Saturday, October 18, at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Canadian viewers can access the same broadcast on TSN. In the UK, the event will air at 6:30 p.m. ET on Viaplay, while viewers located in Sub-Saharan Africa can watch it on SuperSport at 8:30 p.m. GMT.

For audiences in India, qualifying will be available for streaming at 11 p.m. IST through platforms such as Hulu TV, YouTube TV, and dd12stream.com.

The qualifying session follows a single-lap, two-round format, which is a standard procedure in NASCAR events.

Conclusion

You won’t want to miss today’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Talladega—it’s your chance to see who’ll secure pole position in this high-stakes playoff battle. With coverage on truTV in the U.S. and Viaplay in the UK, watching is easy wherever you are. Understanding the format and keeping an eye on the weather can give you an edge as you follow your favorite drivers. Now, you’re all set for an action-packed qualifying showdown!