2018 1000Bulbs.com 500


The 2018 1000Bulbs.com 500 was a Monster Energy [NASCAR Cup Series] race that was held on October 14, 2018, at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Contested over 193 laps – extended from 188 laps due to an overtime finish – on the superspeedway, it was the 31st race of the 2018 [Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series] season, the fifth race of the Playoffs, and second race of the Round of 12. This was a notable race for Stewart-Haas Racing, who dominated in qualifying and both stages, and ended up winning the race with driver Aric Almirola.

Report

Background

Talladega Superspeedway, originally known as Alabama International Motor Superspeedway , is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama. It is located on the former Anniston [Air Force Base] in the small city of Lincoln. The track is a tri-oval and was constructed in the 1960s by the International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France family. Talladega is most known for its steep banking and the unique location of the start/finish line that's located just past the exit to pit road. The track hosts all three national NASCAR series – the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and the NASCAR [Camping World Truck Series|Camping World Truck Series]. Talladega is the longest NASCAR oval with a length of for its tri-oval, slightly longer than the Daytona International Speedway, which is a tri-oval.

Entry list


Final practice

was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 46.889 seconds and a speed of.

Qualifying

scored the pole for the race with a time of 48.906 and a speed of.

Race

Stage results

Stage 1
Laps: 55
Stage 2
Laps: 55

Final stage results

Stage 3
Laps: 78

Race statistics

  • Lead changes: 15 among 11 different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 8 for 32 laps
  • Red flags: 0
  • Time of race: 3 hours, 20 minutes and 24 seconds
  • Average speed:

Media

Television

covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and six-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. called the race from the broadcast booth, with Steve Letarte and Dale Jarrett providing analysis from the NBC Peacock Pit Box on pit road. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane.

Radio

covered the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on SiriusXM's NASCAR Radio channel.

Standings after the race

;Manufacturers' Championship standings
  • Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.