The GEICO 500 is a NASCAR Cup Series stock car race held at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama.
The race has grown to become one of the premier races in the NASCAR series since its beginning. Talladega Superspeedway is one of the most popular locations for NASCAR fans to watch an exciting race. Tickets are always in high demand due to the excitement and drama that is often created in the race by well-known race car drivers.
Located just outside of Lincoln, Alabama, Talladega Superspeedway, is the longest oval racetrack on the NASCAR series circuit, measuring 2.66 miles. The speedway can hold a seating capacity of 80,000 spectators in the main grandstand.
Past winners[]
| Year | Date | No. | Driver | Team | Sponsor | Manufacturer | Race distance | Race time | Average speed (mph) |
Report | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laps | Miles (km) | ||||||||||
| 1970 | April 12 | 40 | Pete Hamilton | Petty Enterprises | 7-Up | Plymouth | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:16:59 | 152.321 | Report |
| 1971 | May 16 | 21 | Donnie Allison | Wood Brothers Racing | Purolator | Mercury | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:23:32 | 147.419 | Report |
| 1972 | May 7 | 21 | David Pearson | Wood Brothers Racing | Purolator | Mercury | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:43:15 | 134.4 | Report |
| 1973 | May 6 | 21 | David Pearson | Wood Brothers Racing | Purolator | Mercury | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:47:23 | 131.956 | Report |
| 1974 | May 5 | 21 | David Pearson | Wood Brothers Racing | Purolator | Mercury | 170* | 452.2 (727.745) | 3:28:09 | 130.22 | Report |
| 1975 | May 4 | 15 | Buddy Baker | Bud Moore Engineering | Sunny King | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:26:59 | 144.948 | Report |
| 1976 | May 2 | 15 | Buddy Baker | Bud Moore Engineering | Norris Industries | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:56:37 | 169,887 | Report |
| 1977 | May 1 | 88 | Darrell Waltrip | DiGard Motorsports | Gatorade | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:01:59 | 164.877 | Report |
| 1978 | May 14 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | Junior Johnson & Associates | 1st National City Travelers Checks | Oldsmobile | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:07:53 | 155.699 | Report |
| 1979 | May 6 | 15 | Bobby Allison | Bud Moore Engineering | Hodgdon/Moore | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:13:52 | 154.77 | Report |
| 1980 | May 4 | 28 | Buddy Baker | Ranier-Lundy | NAPA Auto Parts/Regal Ride Shocks | Oldsmobile | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:56:00 | 170.481 | Report |
| 1981 | May 3 | 28 | Bobby Allison | Ranier-Lundy | The 5 Racers | Buick | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:20:52 | 149.376 | Report |
| 1982 | May 2 | 11 | Darrell Waltrip | Junior Johnson & Associates | Mountain Dew | Buick | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:11:19 | 156.597 | Report |
| 1983 | May 1 | 43 | Richard Petty | Petty Enterprises | STP | Pontiac | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:14:55 | 153.936 | Report |
| 1984 | May 6 | 28 | Cale Yarborough | Ranier-Lundy | Hardee's | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:53:27 | 172.988 | Report |
| 1985 | May 5 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Melling Racing | Coors | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:41:04 | 186.288 | Report |
| 1986 | May 4 | 22 | Bobby Allison | Stavola Brothers Racing | Miller American | Buick | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:10:16 | 157.698 | Report |
| 1987 | May 3 | 28 | Davey Allison | Ranier-Lundy | Havoline | Ford | 178* | 473.48 (761.992) | 3:04:12 | 154.228 | Report |
| 1988 | May 1 | 55 | Phil Parsons | Leo Jackson Racing | Crown Petroleum | Oldsmobile | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:11:40 | 156.547 | Report |
| 1989 | May 7 | 28 | Davey Allison | Robert Yates Racing | Havoline | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:12:30 | 155.869 | Report |
| 1990 | May 6 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | GM Goodwrench | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:08:02 | 159.571 | Report |
| 1991 | May 6* | 33 | Harry Gant | Leo Jackson Racing | Skoal Bandit | Oldsmobile | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:01:10 | 165.62 | Report |
| 1992 | May 3 | 28 | Davey Allison | Robert Yates Racing | Havoline | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:59:01 | 167.609 | Report |
| 1993 | May 2 | 4 | Ernie Irvan | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Kodak | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:13:04 | 155.412 | Report |
| 1994 | May 1 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | GM Goodwrench | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:10:32 | 157.478 | Report |
| 1995 | April 30 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Valvoline | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:47:43 | 178.902 | Report |
| 1996 | April 28 | 4 | Sterling Marlin | Morgan–McClure Motorsports | Kodak | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:20:02 | 149.999 | Report |
| 1997 | May 10* | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Valvoline | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:39:18 | 188.354 | Report |
| 1998 | April 26 | 18 | Bobby Labonte | Joe Gibbs Racing | Interstate Batteries | Pontiac | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:30:40 | 144.428 | Report |
| 1999 | April 25 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | GM Goodwrench Plus | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:03:38 | 163.395 | Report |
| 2000 | April 16 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | DuPont | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:06:11 | 161.157 | Report |
| 2001* | April 22 | 55 | Bobby Hamilton | Andy Petree Racing | Square D | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 2:43:04 | 184.003 | Report |
| 2002 | April 21 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Budweiser | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:08:41 | 159.022 | Report |
| 2003 | April 6 | 8 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | Budweiser | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:27:28 | 144.625 | Report |
| 2004 | April 25 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | DuPont/Pepsi | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:51:53 | 129.396 | Report |
| 2005 | May 1 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | DuPont/Pepsi/Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith | Chevrolet | 194* | 516.04 (830.485) | 3:30:46 | 146.904 | Report |
| 2006 | May 1* | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Lowe's | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:29:59 | 142.891 | Report |
| 2007 | April 29 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | DuPont | Chevrolet | 192* | 510.72 (821.924) | 3:18:46 | 154,167 | Report |
| 2008 | April 27 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Joe Gibbs Racing | M&M's | Toyota | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:10:37 | 157.409 | Report |
| 2009 | April 26 | 09 | Brad Keselowski | Phoenix Racing | Miccosukee Resorts & Gaming | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:23:20 | 147.565 | Report |
| 2010* | April 25 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Shell/Pennzoil | Chevrolet | 200* | 532 (856.171) | 3:31:58 | 150.59 | Report |
| 2011* | April 17 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Hendrick Motorsports | Lowe's | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:12:01 | 156.261 | Report |
| 2012 | May 6 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | Penske Racing | Miller Lite | Dodge | 194* | 516.04 (830.485) | 3:13:17 | 160.192 | Report |
| 2013 | May 5 | 34 | David Ragan | Front Row Motorsports | Farm Rich | Ford | 192* | 510.72 (821.924) | 3:26:02 | 148.729 | Report |
| 2014 | May 4 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Joe Gibbs Racing | FedEx Express | Toyota | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:17:16 | 152.103 | Report |
| 2015 | May 3 | 88 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Hendrick Motorsports | Nationwide Insurance | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:08:08 | 159.487 | Report |
| 2016 | May 1 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | Team Penske | Miller Lite | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:34:15 | 140.046 | Report |
| 2017 | May 7 | 17 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Roush Fenway Racing | Fifth Third Bank | Ford | 191* | 508.06 (817.643) | 3:29:16 | 145.669 | Report |
| 2018 | April 29 | 22 | Joey Logano | Team Penske | Shell/Pennzoil/AutoTrader | Ford | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:16:46 | 152.489 | Report |
| 2019 | April 28 | 9 | Chase Elliott | Hendrick Motorsports | Mountain Dew/Little Caesars | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:05:59 | 161.331 | Report |
| 2020 | June 22* | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Team Penske | Menards/TruWave Technology by Sylvania | Ford | 191* | 508.06 (817.643) | 3:27:28 | 146.933 | Report |
| 2021 | April 25 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | Team Penske | MoneyLion | Ford | 191* | 508.06 (817.643) | 3:26:30 | 147.62 | Report |
| 2022 | April 24 | 1 | Ross Chastain | Trackhouse Racing Team | Moose Fraternity | Chevrolet | 188 | 500.08 (804.8) | 3:21:52 | 148.637 | Report |
| 2023 | April 23 | 8 | Kyle Busch | Richard Childress Racing | Mclaren Custom Grills | Chevrolet | 196 | 521.36 (838.88) | 3:33:25 | 146.575 | Report |
| 2024 | April 21 | 45 | Tyler Reddick | 23XI Racing | Jordan Brand | Toyota | 188 | 500.08 (804.8 | 3:13:29 | 155.977 | Report |
Notes[]
- 1974: Race shortened due to the energy crisis.
- 1987: Race shortened due to darkness – caused by a red flag that lasted for two and a half hours to repair the catch fence after Bobby Allison's lap 22 crash.
- 1991 & 2006: Race moved from Sunday to Monday due to rain.
- 1997: Race was scheduled for Sunday, April 27, but was moved back two weeks due to rain. Qualifying was held as scheduled, but rain washed out any chance to hold the race on Sunday or Monday. To complicate matters, the series was racing at Sonoma the following weekend, and the travel burden for the teams would be too much to overcome if the race were to be held Tuesday as would be the normal policy (next available day). Series officials decided to have the teams pack up and depart for Sonoma, and rescheduled the Winston 500 for the weekend after that (Saturday, May 10). It was Mother's Day weekend, a date traditionally left open by NASCAR at the time. The teams arrived in sunny skies, and Mark Martin won the first-ever caution-free Talladega plate race.
- 2001: The first restrictor-plate race after Dale Earnhardt's death was the second-ever caution-free race in Talladega history. It was Bobby Hamilton's last win in Cup before his death in 2007 to cancer.
- 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2021, & 2023: Race extended due to a NASCAR Overtime Finish. 2010 took three attempts for the first time. 2013 was restricted to a single attempt due to impending darkness after a weather delay of 3 hours and 36 minutes.
- 2010: Set record for most lead changes in regulation (87) and overall lead changes (88).
- 2011: Set record for most lead changes in regulation (88), and tied for closest margin of victory in the Sprint Cup Series (0.002 sec.)
- 2020: Race postponed from April 26 to June 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then postponed from June 21 to June 22 due to rain.
Multiple winners (drivers)[]
| Wins | Driver | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jeff Gordon | 2000, 2004–2005, 2007 |
| Brad Keselowski | 2009, 2012, 2016, 2021 | |
| 3 | David Pearson | 1972–1974 |
| Buddy Baker | 1975–1976, 1980 | |
| Bobby Allison | 1979, 1981, 1986 | |
| Davey Allison | 1987, 1989, 1992 | |
| Dale Earnhardt | 1990, 1994, 1999 | |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 2002–2003, 2015 | |
| 2 | Darrell Waltrip | 1977, 1982 |
| Cale Yarborough | 1978, 1984 | |
| Mark Martin | 1995, 1997 | |
| Jimmie Johnson | 2006, 2011 | |
| Kyle Busch | 2008, 2023 |
Multiple winners (teams)[]
| Wins | Driver | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Hendrick Motorsports | 2000, 2004–2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 |
| 5 | Team Penske | 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020–2021 |
| Richard Childress Racing | 1990, 1994, 1999, 2010, 2023 | |
| 4 | Wood Brothers Racing | 1971–1974 |
| Ranier-Lundy | 1980–1981, 1984, 1987 | |
| 3 | Bud Moore Engineering | 1975–1976, 1979 |
| Joe Gibbs Racing | 1998, 2008, 2014 | |
| Roush Fenway Racing | 1995, 1997, 2017 | |
| 2 | Petty Enterprises | 1970, 1983 |
| Junior Johnson & Associates | 1978, 1982 | |
| Leo Jackson Racing | 1988, 1991 | |
| Robert Yates Racing | 1989, 1992 | |
| Morgan-McClure Motorsports | 1993, 1996 | |
| Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 2002–2003 |
Manufacturer wins[]
| Wins | Manufacturer | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Chevrolet | 1977, 1984, 1990, 1993–1994, 1996, 1999, 2000–2007, 2009–2011, 2015, 2019, 2022–2023 |
| 15 | Ford | 1975–1976, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2013, 2016–2018, 2020–2021 |
| 4 | Mercury | 1971–1974 |
| Oldsmobile | 1978, 1980, 1988, 1991 | |
| 3 | Buick | 1981–1982, 1986 |
| Toyota | 2008, 2014, 2024 | |
| 2 | Pontiac | 1983, 1998 |
| 1 | Dodge | 2012 |