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 2.66-mile (4.28-kilometre) 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 (AIMS), is a motorsports complex located in Lincoln, Alabama. The track is a tri-oval and was constructed in the 1960s by the International Speedway Corporation. 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. Talladega is the longest NASCAR oval with a length of 2.66 miles (4.28 kilometres) for its tri-oval, slightly longer than the Daytona International Speedway, which is a 2.5-mile (4.0-kilometre) tri-oval.

Entry list

Final practice

Kevin Harvick was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 46.889 seconds and a speed of 204.227 mph (328.671 km/h).^[10]

Qualifying

Kurt Busch scored the pole for the race with a time of 48.906 and a speed of 195.804 mph (315.116 km/h).^[11]

Qualifying results

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: 153.707 miles per hour (247.367 km/h)

Media

Television

NBC Sports 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

MRN 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.

Notes

1. ^ LaJoie started from the rear after failing post-qualifying inspection.

References

1. ^ "2018 schedule". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. May 5, 2017. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
2. ^ "Talladega Superspeedway". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
3. ^ "Entry List". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
4. ^ "Final Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
5. ^ "Starting Lineup". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.^{[dead link]}
6. ^ "1000Bulbs.com 500 Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. October 14, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
7. ^ "Points standings". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. October 15, 2018. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
8. ^ "Manufacturer standings". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. October 15, 2018. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
9. ^ "Talladega final TV ratings". Jayski's Silly Season Site. ESPN. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
10. ^ Utter, Jim (October 13, 2018). "Kevin Harvick leads Talladega practice with 204mph lap". Motorsport.com. Lincoln, Alabama: Motorsport Network. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
11. ^ Fryer, Jenna (October 13, 2018). "Kurt Busch leads Stewart–Haas Racing sweep at Talladega". Associated Press. Lincoln, Alabama: AP Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.