John Breeden Wed, October 21, 2026 at 11:19 PM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talladega Superspeedway has consistently been one of the most exciting tracks on the NASCAR circuit. With bumper-to-bumper pack racing, high speeds, and the constant threat of "The Big One," the 2.66-mile Alabama is always a thriller for NASCAR fans.
Another constant theme about Talladega includes photo finishes. While it is not a regular occurrence, Talladega has delivered some of the closest finishes NASCAR has to offer.
Here, we will take a look at the top five closest finishes in Talladega history.
Over the last decade, Ryan Blaney has established himself as one of the most elite drafting track racers in the NASCAR Cup Series. The driver of the No. 12 is a three-time Talladega winner, including the Geico 500 in June 2020.
The Team Penske driver did not have much room to spare to earn the victory, however. As the field crossed the start/finish line with the checkered flag waving, Blaney inched out Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by 0.007 seconds. It was Blaney's second career Talladega win and second straight.
As close as Blaney's margin of victory was in his second Talladega win, his first trip to Dega victory lane came at the exact same margin.
Coming to the checkered flag, Blaney battled side-by-side with Ryan Newman through the tri-oval. Blaney edged his No. 12 Ford ahead of Newman's No. 6 Ford at the perfect time when the two came across the start/finish line. In a finish that looked too close to call initially, Blaney was scored the winner by 0.007 seconds over Newman.
Between his 2019 battle with Newman and 2020 photo finish with Stenhouse Jr., Blaney has created some of the most memorable Talladega moments in recent history.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. might not have gotten the better end of his 2020 duel with Ryan Blaney, but things turned around for the driver of the No. 47 four-and-a-half years later.
In the Cup Series YellaWood 500 in October 2024, Stenhouse Jr., who was a non-playoff driver in 2024, spoiled the playoff field by winning at Talladega. The 2023 Daytona 500 claimed the checkered flag after outlasting Brad Keselowski by 0.006 seconds, the third-closest finish in Talladega history.
The win was Stenhouse's fourth of his Cup Series career, second at Talladega, and his latest Cup victory to date.
No one won at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series more than Dale Earnhardt. The late seven-time Cup Series champion scored a record 10 victories at the 2.66-mile track, including what would be the final win of the legendary driver's life in October 2000.
One of those 10 wins ended up being the second-closest finish in Talladega history. Up against Ernie Irvan in the 1993 DieHard 500, "The Intimidator" found his way to the checkered flag first by 0.005 seconds. It was Earnhardt's six career Talladega win and his 59th career Cup win overall.
Of all the razor-thin, close finishes at Talladega Superspeedway, nothing was closer than Jimmie Johnson's triumph over Clint Bowyer.
In the 2011 Aaron's 499, Jeff Gordon was being pushed by Mark Martin as the two took the white flag first and second. Right on their heels was Bowyer, pushed by Kevin Harvick. The pair of Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing teammates ran side-by-side exiting turn 4.
Out of nowhere, Johnson, being pushed by HMS teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., found some room on the bottom line. In a three-wide photo finish, Johnson edged Bowyer by 0.002 seconds to claim his second Talladega victory.
The win is the closest finish in Talladega and is tied for the second-closest finish in NASCAR history.
Source: Sports
