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TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 19: Cody Ware, driver of the #51 Arby's Steak Nuggets Ford, Michael McDowell, driver of the #71 Carolina Handling Chevrolet, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 19, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

The 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway with a full 38-car entry list for the Ag-Pro 300, set for Saturday, April 25. The race marks the 11th event of the season and takes place on the 2.66-mile superspeedway known for tight pack racing and late-race incidents.

NASCAR released the preliminary entry list on April 20, confirming that all 38 cars will qualify for the race, with no entries sent home. Qualifying is scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET on the CW app, while the race will air live at 4 p.m. ET on The CW, with additional coverage from MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Top Teams Fill NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Entry List

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series entry list for Talladega Superspeedway features top organizations across the garage. JR Motorsports fields Carson Kvapil in the No. 1 car, while Richard Childress Racing enters Jesse Love in the No. 2. Joe Gibbs Racing also brings multiple cars, adding depth to the field.

Haas Factory Team lists Sheldon Creed in the No. 00 Chevrolet. Other teams, such as Young’s Motorsports and SS-Green Light Racing, also field multiple entries. The full grid combines full-time drivers chasing the 2026 championship with part-time teams aiming for strong results at a superspeedway.

This race does not include Cup Series regulars. That ensures the focus remains on drivers competing full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings. With all cars locked into the field, the entry list reflects a complete and competitive lineup.

Veteran Returns and Debuts Add Depth

Several drivers bring experience and new storylines into the Talladega race weekend. JJ Yeley is set to add experience to Hettinger Racing’s lineup as he takes over the No. 5, giving the team a steady veteran presence. Natalie Decker is back behind the wheel of the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports, while Patrick Emerling will compete in the No. 38 for RSS Racing.

David Starr appears in the No. 42 for Young’s Motorsports. Tyler Ankrum makes his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut in the No. 32 for Jordan Anderson Racing. Rajah Caruth is listed in the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, adding another competitive entry to the team’s lineup.

Other drivers in the field include Anthony Alfredo, Josh Williams, Parker Retzlaff, and Mason Maggio. These entries highlight the mix of experience and developing talent competing in this event.

Talladega Superspeedway Race Expectations Set

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Talladega Superspeedway follows the standard superspeedway format, where drafting plays a key role in performance. Cars run in close groups, and position changes happen often across the field. This style of racing often leads to late-race incidents and changes in the running order.

The absence of some teams, including AM Racing, has drawn attention ahead of the event. At the same time, part-time drivers such as Garrett Smithley fill available spots on the grid. With 38 cars confirmed, the race will feature a full field without qualifying eliminations.

The Ag-Pro 300 remains one of the most followed races on the schedule due to its unpredictable nature. The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings can change quickly after this event because of the way Talladega races unfold.

Practice and qualifying set the starting order, but race conditions often determine the outcome. The green flag on Saturday will mark another key moment in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season as drivers compete for position and points at one of the sport’s fastest tracks.