Top 25 Most Iconic Talladega Wins in NASCAR History
25. Brad Keselowski – 2009 Aaron’s 499
Keselowski scored his first Cup win in a shocking fashion after contact with Carl Edwards sent Edwards airborne across the finish line — a crash fans still talk about today.
24. Chase Elliott – 2019 GEICO 500
Elliott’s first Talladega win came with massive fan support, breaking Hendrick’s drought at the track and sealing his status as NASCAR’s new fan favorite.
23. Ryan Blaney – 2019 Fall Race
Blaney edged out Ryan Newman by inches in a wild photo finish — a redemption run after chaos and wrecks all day long.
22. Bobby Hamilton – 2001 Talladega 500
Driving for Andy Petree Racing, Hamilton broke Dodge’s long winless streak and scored an emotional upset victory.
21. Jamie McMurray – 2009 Fall Race
McMurray ended a two-year winless streak with an emotional victory amid a day of chaos — holding off Dale Jr. in the final laps.
20. Brad Keselowski – 2021 GEICO 500
Keselowski proved once again he’s a Talladega master, using perfect drafting in the final lap to beat Matt DiBenedetto in overtime.
19. Jimmy Spencer – 1994 DieHard 500
Spencer powered past Ernie Irvan late in the race, claiming his first-ever Cup victory in a shocking underdog moment.
18. Rusty Wallace – 2000 Winston 500
Wallace pulled off a dramatic final-lap slingshot over Jeff Gordon, scoring his only Talladega win in one of the most thrilling finishes of his career.
17. Bobby Hillin Jr. – 1986 Talladega 500
At just 22 years old, Hillin shocked the NASCAR world by winning for the small Stavola Brothers team — his only career victory.
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 2017 GEICO 500
Stenhouse scored his first Cup win by outrunning Kyle Busch in an intense final-lap duel, proving he could thrive on superspeedways.
15. Davey Allison – 1992 Winston 500
Despite injuries and chaos, Allison muscled his way to victory — a moment that captured his grit and determination.
14. Terry Labonte – 1989 DieHard 500
Labonte survived a massive late-race crash to score a rare Talladega win for Hendrick Motorsports in the late ‘80s.
13. Brad Keselowski – 2012 Fall Race
Keselowski outdueled Matt Kenseth in the draft, securing his fifth win of the season — a key step toward his championship run.
12. Bobby Allison – 1987 Winston 500
This infamous race saw Allison’s car go airborne into the catchfence, changing NASCAR’s safety forever — but he still managed to be credited with finishing strong in a terrifying day that reshaped restrictor plate racing.
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2015 GEICO 500
Junior Nation erupted as Earnhardt Jr. dominated the day — his first Talladega win in a decade and an emotional moment after years of struggle.
10. Darrell Waltrip – 1982 Winston 500
Waltrip’s strategic mastery and fuel-saving brilliance helped him outrun Terry Labonte for one of his smartest superspeedway wins.
9. Richard Petty – 1979 Talladega 500
Petty took control late and earned a dominant victory during the prime of his career, solidifying his superspeedway reputation.
8. Jeff Gordon – 2004 Aaron’s 499
Gordon held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a controversial finish under caution — fans showered the track with beer cans in protest, making it one of Talladega’s wildest scenes.
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2003 Aaron’s 499
Junior completed the rare “Talladega three-peat,” showcasing total dominance and emotional ties to his father’s legacy.
6. Phil Parsons – 1988 Winston 500
An incredible underdog story, Parsons won his only Cup race in a day filled with wrecks and survival — a feel-good Talladega classic.
5. Brad Keselowski – 2014 Aaron’s 499
Fighting for his playoff life, Keselowski held off the field in a must-win situation — a gutsy, pressure-filled masterpiece.
4. David Ragan – 2013 Aaron’s 499
Ragan and teammate David Gilliland pulled off an unbelievable 1–2 finish for Front Row Motorsports — one of NASCAR’s greatest modern upsets.
3. Dale Earnhardt Sr. – 1990 Winston 500
Earnhardt held off a furious field in a race where skill and drafting perfection ruled the day, asserting his absolute mastery at Talladega.
2. Dale Earnhardt Sr. – 2000 Winston 500
“The Intimidator’s” final win — coming from 18th to 1st in just five laps — remains one of the greatest comebacks in NASCAR history. The crowd’s roar said it all.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2001 EA Sports 500
Just months after his father’s death, Junior’s emotional victory electrified the crowd. He led the final five laps in front of a roaring Talladega crowd — a healing moment for the entire NASCAR world.
