For the 13th time, a first-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series was crowned at Talladega Superspeedway.
With a push from Alex Bowman on the final lap, Carson Hocevar had enough to take the checkered flag and earn his first career Cup Series victory in Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500.
The 23-year-old’s first victory came in his 91st Cup Series start.
“I’ve had this thought up for a while,” an emotional Hocevar told Fox Sports of his exuberant celebration. “This is the biggest dream I’ve ever thought of. Hopefully my grandpa’s watching. My grandma died last year, so I’m so thankful I can give my grandpa a trophy now.”
Chris Buescher finished runner-up, with Bowman, Chase Elliott and Zane Smith rounding out the top five. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Noah Gragson and Kyle Busch completed the top 10.
Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Preece and Austin Dillon were involved in a crash at the finish line.
Notable results
Other notable finishers include polesitter and points leader Tyler Reddick in 14th, Denny Hamlin in 15th, Christopher Bell in 17th, Erik Jones in 23rd and Chase Briscoe in 29th.
Sunday’s race was defined by a massive crash on Lap 115 involving 26 cars in total. Only 20 remained on the lead lap following the incident, which took out Ryan Blaney, Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Josh Berry, Cole Custer and William Byron.
Preece won Stage 1, with Chastain winning Stage 2.