NASCAR makes change to playoff weekend schedule at Talladega

Already we have a schedule change in the playoffs. NASCAR has modified the start time for the Talladega Truck Series race in October. Instead of a 3:30 PM EST start time, the race will go green half an hour later at 4:00 PM EST.

This is only going to be a change to the Craftsman Truck Series race on October 17th. A slight schedule change, but a notable one nonetheless. Talladega does not have lights, so if the race should be delayed or run late, there is a threat of losing light.

While there is more of a risk by pushing the race back, I don’t expect it to matter. The longest the Truck Series race at Talladega has lasted in October is 2 hours and 26 minutes. That was in 2023 in a 99 lap overtime race with Brett Moffitt as the winner.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported on the change. So far, there are no other modifications to the Talladega playoff race weekend outside of this.

Let me clarify this is the truck race — NASCAR announced a time change for the Talladega truck race in October (Oct 17), that it will now begin at 4pm ET instead of 3:30 p ET.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 9, 2025

Last season, the Talladega race put Grant Enfinger into the Championship 4. The Alabama driver won in ihs home state and was able to do it in under two hours in one of the quicker races for the series at the track.

NASCAR at Talladega can produce fantastic moments. However, it felt like the Truck Series field was a little afraid to make bold moves at the end of the race. That led to a lackluster finish. It was the same way for the Xfinity Series, too.

Then again, if I was sitting in a stock car going 190+ MPH, I might just stay in line rather than risk my chances and end up in the wall.

NASCAR at Talladega will have new marketing

Unfortunately for the NASCAR Cup Series, GEICO is leaving the sport as a premier partner. The insurance company has been the sponsor of the Cup Series race at Talladega in April for a number of years.

So, the next time NASCAR is at Talladega, things will look different. We won’t see the huge GEICO banners and marketing all over the track. But that doesn’t mean it is the end of the world. The sport still has strong partners in Xfinity, Busch Light, and Coca-Cola.

The thrills and excitement of Talladega won’t change. There will just be different brands around the track advertising. NASCAR fans likely won’t notice much when they watch on TV or at the track.

NASCAR weekend at Talladega is great because it happens twice a year. April or October, the racing is always great and you never know who is going to emerge victorious.