Table of Contents
All Bubba Wallace could do was look down in dejection.
The 23XI Racing driver had followed his game plan to a tee over the course of 188 laps, giving himself a shot at another Talladega win. But he was felled by a late block attempt on best friend Ryan Blaney, which sent him spiraling down the track while handing Kyle Busch his second win of the Cup Series slate.
A Busch victory didn’t seem all that likely for most of the race, even as it reached its latter stages. The No. 8 car was in the mix, for sure. But so was everyone else; the difference between P1 and P20 was less than a second.
In the end, a gutsy call paid off for the Richard Childress Racing star. Busch batted away his pit crew’s suggestion to come in for fuel, choosing instead to stay on the track after Noah Gragson wrecked in the first round of overtime. It was a high-risk, high-reward strategy, the type of aggressive play Busch has become known for over the years.
And it paid off in spades. Wallace did everything in his power to hold off Blaney, twice blocking him on the outside. But Blaney was always going to get past his bestie. And Wallace’s last attempt did little to change that. Wallace finished 28th.
Meanwhile, Busch was able to avoid Wallace’s errant whip, pacing away just as the No. 23 car came into contact with the inside line. By then, all he had to worry about was whether he had enough fuel to get himself to the finish line.
MORE: Watch NASCAR Cup Series races live with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News tracked updates and live results from Sunday’s race at Talladega. Scroll below to just how things unfolded at the ‘Dega.
NASCAR at Talladega live updates, highlights from 2023 race
(All times Eastern)
6:55 p.m.: CAUTION! Wallace wrecks on the white-flag lap and Busch takes the GEICO 500!
KYLE BUSCH WINS AT TALLADEGA AS CARS CRASH BEHIND HIM. The race ends under caution after Bubba Wallace goes around following contact from Ryan Blaney. https://t.co/Y7rYJKb3rS pic.twitter.com/zQ5bDxeQAg
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 23, 2023
6:52 p.m.: Back to green after that scary wreck. Blaney and Almirola on the inside, Busch and Wallace outside.
6:44 p.m.: CAUTION! Gragson slides after Chastain tries to fit himself into a gap that wasn’t there. More concerningly, Larson takes a broadside shot from Preece. Really scary sight there.
TROUBLE IN OVERTIME! pic.twitter.com/jBoDVLK8Uj
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2023
6:43 p.m.: Back to green!
6:39 p.m.: We are in overtime. It’s going to be a frenzied finish, that’s for sure.
6:31 p.m.: CAUTION! Logano tries to go outside gets a touch from LaJoie and spins out, bringing the yellow flag. High-risk, high-reward play by Logano. Just didn’t work out his way this time around.
Joey Logano goes around after a push from Corey LaJoie! https://t.co/yCAuItsDsn pic.twitter.com/UwMJz3CjSf
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 23, 2023
6:30 p.m.: LaJoie takes over the outside lane. Logano has something to think about. Looks like he’s moving outside now and boom!
6:28 p.m.: We got three-wide for a bit. Hamlin, Wallace and Gibbs shifted to the outside, keeping their energy up.
6:25 p.m.: Gibbs putting on a clinic at the front of the second line. Kept things really steady in the middle lane. He’s got a couple Toyota allies in Wallace and Hamlin propping him up. Should make for an enthralling final 10 laps.
6:23 p.m.: Still two-wide thus far. However, have to imagine someone tries to make it three in the final 10 laps. Perhaps Logano? He’s in P20, less than one second from the lead.
6:21 p.m.: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. pulls the middle line way back due to side draft. Gibbs and Wallace sit at P9 and P12, respectively. A lot of race remains, but uncertain if they’ll be able to get back into it without a caution.
6:18 p.m.: An ever-present fee of the Big One is descending on the ‘Dega. Wallace and Gibbs are extremely loose on the middle line. Feels like if anything happens, it might come from that pairing. Blaney and Almirola still pushing in the inside line.
6:11 p.m.: Blaney in great stead to pick up his first Cup Series win since 2021. The driver riding up behind him? Almirola, another driver who hasn’t finished the day in victory lane in nearly two years.
6:04 p.m.: Middle line stacked up. Gibbs out in front of Wallace. Plenty of cars in the mix as we approach Lap No. 152.
6:00 p.m.: Hamlin giving Wallace a good push on the restart. They’re two wide, with Wallace holding the slightest of edges over his good pal Blaney.
5:49 p.m.: CAUTION! Gragson gives Burton one bump too many. Burton did remarkably to salvage his car, spilling it into the infield. Austin Dillon wasn’t so lucky; looks like the No. 3 whip broke his toe link.
The 2️⃣1️⃣ goes around at the front of the field! pic.twitter.com/XWemCB3ox7
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2023
5:47 p.m.: Been an unusually quiet day at the ‘Dega, especially by Next Gen cars standards.
In the two Talladega races last year, the “big one” occurred during first two stages and there were no crashes in the final stage. This is first time with Next Gen to have a full field for the final stage.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 23, 2023
5:44 p.m.: The No. 21 car doing wonderful things at the front. The longer this thing goes on, the more likely it seems Burton could add to the family legacy with his first Cup Series win.
5:38 p.m.: It’s the youngsters leading the way: Harrison Burton and Noah Gragson raking in valuable experience at the front of the pack at Talladega.
5:36 p.m.: We’re back to green at Talladega. Can Wallace get his second win at the ‘Dega? Time to find out.
5:28 p.m.: For those wondering, Logano stays out in front of Briscoe, earning himself the free pass. Big brain move by the No. 22 driver.
5:26 p.m.: Here’s how a frenetic Stage 2 ended:
.@Aric_Almirola wins Stage 2, @chaseelliott 2nd.
3. @KevinHarvick
4. @BubbaWallace
5. @HBurtonRacing
6. @MartinTruex_Jr
7. @RyanPreece_
8. @dennyhamlin
9. @StenhouseJr
10. @NoahGragson #NASCAR | #GEICO500 | #NASCAR75— Seth Eggert (@SethEggert91) April 23, 2023
5:23 p.m.: Final lap of the stage. It will be Wallace and Elliott battling for it. Looks like it’s Elliott…no it’s Aric Almirola who makes the late play to nab the second stage. That’s his first stage victory since 2020. What a round of racing there!
5:19 p.m.: Briscoe and Bubba fighting for first. Five laps to go in the stage. Wallace makes a dangerous move to the top of the track, reacting after Logano opts to hold his line in the middle of the track. Reasonable play by Logano, just a challenging situation for Wallace. Nevertheless, that will keep Elliott out in front.
Things happen fast at @TALLADEGA! pic.twitter.com/dBAi7kPZP3
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2023
5:12 p.m.: Logano handed a penalty after being too fast on pit road. That one will hurt bad.
5:11 p.m.: The Toyotas and Chevys follow shortly thereafter. Pretty smooth dismount, especially when compared with the hysterics that took place during their first one back in Stage 1.
5:09 p.m.: The flood is starting: Bowman, Elliott, Larson and William Byron make their way to the pits, as does the Trackhouse pair Chastain and Suarez.
5:07 p.m.: One name we haven’t heard too often today: Brad Keselowski. Looks like he’s conjuring something up with his team to figure out how to get back in the mix.
Keselowski team talking about how to gain track position and if possible to do so on the pit stop.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 23, 2023
5:04 p.m.: Wallace back in front! Wonderful driving by the 23XI driver, who now finds himself with a pair of Toyota drivers out front. 100 laps down, 88 to go. McDowell goes another lap down in the process.
The third lane forms with @BubbaWallace taking full advantage! #GEICO500 pic.twitter.com/NTX4wEnUgE
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2023
5:01 p.m.: Truex still holding firm in first spot. However, the likes of Hamlin and Harvick are certainly putting themselves about. Looks like Hamlin wants to stay with Truex as long as possible; a bit of Joe Gibbs Racing/Toyota teamwork.
4:47 p.m.: Truex and Hamlin sitting pretty at the top of the totem pole. Wallace looking to get with his Toyota running mates; he’s in seventh right now.
4:40 p.m.: Big push by Chastain, as expected. He’s one of the most aggressive drivers on the Cup Series circuit.
4:38 p.m.: Hamlin up front as Stage 2 kicks off. Him and Harvick leading the pack!
4:24 p.m.: Elliott nabs his first stage victory of the season!
4:22 p.m.: Kyle Larson getting into teammate Bowman. Two laps left but you’d have to imagine that Bowman would try to get inside and block off Elliott.
4:20 p.m.: Hendrick Camaro’s enjoying the spotlight at the front of the pack. Elliott and Bowman still going back and forth for first; Elliott on the inside, Bowman on the outside.
4:17 p.m.: Nine laps to go in a frantic Stage 1. Elliott holds the slight lead over Bowman.
4:13 p.m.: Ty Gibbs heading the pack among Toyota drivers. His spotter reminds him that he’d be better off foregoing stage points and try to work his way up the field methodically on the restart. Wise advice.
4:10 p.m.: A surprise face out in front: Chase Elliott, who only returned to the racetrack last week after six weeks away due to injury. Found himself in the back of the pack for much of the opening 40 or so laps.
4:06 p.m.: Reddick bags the free pass, bringing him back on the lead lap. Have to imagine the No. 45 team will be happy about that, especially given the fact Reddick spun out without bringing the caution out. Toyotas back in the mix.
4:03 p.m.: CAUTION! Briscoe suffers the same fate as Reddick, spinning out as he made his way to the pit. His left front tire is locked up, keeping him anchored to pit road. That will bring out the second yellow flag of the day.
Around goes Briscoe! Caution is out. https://t.co/sqoQU7c31F pic.twitter.com/WtGMIZJgdQ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 23, 2023
4:01 p.m.: Things a bit disjointed as cars head to pit road. Ryan Preece leading the way as he makes his way towards his crew.
3:57 p.m.: Could have been a disastrous pit stop for the Toyotas. Tyler Reddick spins out heading into pit road. Looks like he barely cleared Chase Briscoe, skewing into the inside wall. Fortunately, it was a single-car incident. And it appears Reddick suffered little if any damage from the collision. But that was a close one.
“COMING IN HOT” https://t.co/7GJZG3uRzP pic.twitter.com/lJ8qb5Kd6y
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 23, 2023
3:53 p.m.: Brad Keselowski dropping like a stone. The former Cup Series champion sits in 36th place, way down the field. Not ideal for the No. 6 car.
3:50 p.m.: Wallace joined at the front of the pack by bestie Ryan Blaney. 26 laps down and things have been fairly calm, save for McDowell’s spin out.
Speaking of the No. 34 car, he’s approaching two laps down. Looks like one of his Live Fast teammates is getting up behind him and trying to pump him up the track. A two-lap deficit would be nigh on impossible to overcome.
3:45 p.m.: Wallace has impressed through 21 laps. Already has led twice as many laps as he had for the whole of the season. Hasn’t had too much luck this year, but he’s won here before and has shown real promise on superspeedways in the past. Might have a chance to end up in victory lane once more when it’s all said and done.
3:35 p.m.: Bubba Wallace and Chase Briscoe making their case for first as we hit Lap No. 10. It’s Wallace out in front by a hair. Nice to see with Michael Jordan in the building.
Be like Mike … a NASCAR fan 😉🏁@Jumpman23 | @23XIRacing pic.twitter.com/NfDdKC5LOp
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 23, 2023
3:34 p.m.: No issue with McDowell’s toe link. However, he sits a lap down and is firmly out of the draft. The No. 34 car hit minimum speed, however.
3:23 p.m.: CAUTION! Michael McDowell spins out on Lap 3. Looks like his right rear tire flattened like a pancake. Took a heavy shot from the inside wall. What a way so start the race.
A problem on the No. 34 sends @Mc_Driver around early in Stage 1.
We’re live from @TALLADEGA on FOX! #GEICO500 pic.twitter.com/DvDnoeQ8MY
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2023
3:22 p.m.: And we’re off! It’s Aric Almirola and Denny Hamlin in the front row. 500 miles to go from Talladega!
3:10 p.m.: The original Alabama Gang — Donnie Allison, Bobby Allison and Red Farmer — fire off the race commands as drivers start their engines. This one should be exciting.
They are legends of our sport!
The Alabama Gang gets the engines fired at @TALLADEGA! (📺: FOX) pic.twitter.com/SoyCpYOhMK
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 23, 2023
3:00 p.m.: Pre-race prayer coming up. We’re about 20 minutes away from the green flag here at Talladega.
2:35 p.m.: Kevin Harvick making his 800th start in the Cup Series. What a career for Happy, who will almost certainly will join Larson and Hamlin in NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers.
2:25 p.m.: Good news regarding Blaine Perkins’ status after his scary wreck in yesterday’s Xfinity Series race.
An update on Blaine Perkins after his scary Talladega crash Saturday. pic.twitter.com/rSAv4nPPCt
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 23, 2023
2:20 p.m.: Bit of a funny story from Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin, who were each named to NASCAR’s 75 greatest driver list this week.
Kyle Larson got a call from Mike Helton a week ago and Denny Hamlin got a call from Jim France earlier this week. They both saw the caller ID and were worried. What they had learned is that they were named among NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers. pic.twitter.com/lUsiv0e2GH
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 23, 2023
What channel is the NASCAR race at Talladega on today?
- TV channel: Fox (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
- Live stream: FoxSports.com, Fubo
The GEICO 500 will be broadcast on Fox in the United States. Canadian viewers can follow the action on TSN5.
Veteran broadcaster Mike Joy will call the lap-by-lap action. He’ll be joined in the booth by former a pair of former drivers, Clint Bowyer and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart.