NASCAR Talladega predictions 2026, expert picks for Cup Series race
Our NASCAR predictions are in for Sunday's Cup Series race at Talladega. Here's who our experts are picking to win the 2026 Jack Link''s 500.
The NASCAR Cup Series is back at a drafting track for the Jack Link's 500 on April 26 at Talladega Superspeedway. Pack-drafting races are not easy to predict, though Tyler Reddick won the first two of the season at Daytona and Atlanta. Reddick is coming off of his fifth win of the season at Kansas and is a former Talladega winner.
Here are The Tennessean's expert picks for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega: NASCAR predictions for Talladega Cup Series race: Here's who wins the Jack Link's 500 Mike Organ's pick: Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Now that his winless streak has reached a full year, it’s time for the 2025 Cup Series champion to take control of a race like he did last week at Kansas and hang on this time. Nick Gray's pick: Michael McDowell, No.
71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet McDowell is a very good drafting driver who is due for a strong result, as is Spire at large. Tom Kreager's pick: Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota Wallace will need to curb his frustrations and stay away from having a role of the Big One.
But he's had a history of running well at Talladega. He has three top-10 finishes over the past four races with one top-five finish. The Toyotas have been the dominant manufacturer in 2026.