**TLDR** — A commanding 80% of 794 NASCAR fans gave the Jack Link's 500 a thumbs-up, celebrating Carson Hocevar's first Cup win as a breath of fresh air against the sport's usual storylines. One reader cheered that 'the correct person won instead of the usual cast of high-priced teams being arrogant and boastful,' while another said the Talladega thriller felt 'almost like the old days.' Even some who voted yes admitted the carnage stung — 'not the best race, too many good drivers crashed out, but great ending.' The 20% dissenting voice was loud, though, with critics blasting pack racing as a 'demolition derby' that wipes out half the field and leaves owners eating losses. Fox's coverage took shots too. Still, with a first-time winner, a wild Big One, and a celebration lane to remember, Talladega delivered the drama — even if the bodywork didn't survive it.
Essentially Sports
Apr 27, 2026
Was the Jack Link’s 500 a Good Race?

80%
Yes
635
20%
No
159
794 readers voted
We asked readers to weigh in — 42 shared their take. Here’s what they said:
Reader Reactions
42
wy**k*l**7@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 11:09 PM EDT
Pack racing turns into a demolition derby, and when it’s not a pack, it’s a parade!
wi*****s****m****2@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 8:39 AM EDT
I like the long first stage.
rm*u*g*5@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:21 PM EDT
Loved Hocevar getting his first cup win. Bubba needs to learn how to take a push he alone can r I in a race.
ri***o**a***y@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 7:59 AM EDT
The correct person won instead of the usual cast of high-priced teams being arrogant and boastful
ha****s***f****5@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:37 PM EDT
No drama, no arguments
de***o***b***8@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 8:46 PM EDT
Need more races ot digital T V
li***a**2**7@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 6:15 AM EDT
Half or more of the good cars wiped out. How could anyone call that racing. I hate Talladega, it is a crapshoot.
bu*ho*2@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 8:58 PM EDT
Great race enjoyed the big one.Glad.Everyone was safe and our first time winner , hurricane Hosvaer!! What a great victory lap and lane!!!!
ma**i*1*5@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 9:32 AM EDT
They need to go back to the 750hp & small spoilers... let them have the tools to determine their own out
k6*2*1*8@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:04 PM EDT
It was too slow
lj**l*y**7@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 7:13 AM EDT
Not the best race,too many good drivers crashed out but great ending
ki****g***b***s@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:59 PM EDT
I have seen better. Talledaga is my favorite track.
ch***c**g**l@hotmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 11:08 PM EDT
It's almost like the old days
lk**n*o**2@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:34 PM EDT
The one Say was better.
rj***g***a***r@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 8:48 PM EDT
Mike,Kevin and Clint do a great job calling the races.Great competition.These Nascar teams and drivers are amazing.
ls*ant@me.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:03 PM EDT
It was exciting and good to watch.
np*ood@goeaston.net
Apr 27, 2026 · 9:38 AM EDT
Lots of excitement! A new winner. Loved the celebration at the end!
jo***a***t***3@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:34 PM EDT
Very boring too much side by side.Fox coverage was lousy
ri****e***r****2@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:01 PM EDT
EVERYTIME NASCAR KEEPS INSTUTING THIS STUPID PACK RACING AND TO TOP IT OFF SOMEBODY MAKES A STUPID MOVE EITHER AT THE FRONT OR MID PACK AND THEN YOU GOT A BUNCH OF BASHED UP CARS THAT CANT FINISH THE RACE LOST POINTS A TOTAL LOSS FOR THE OWNERS WHEN IS THIS EVER GOING TO CHANGE THIS IS WHAT TURNS NASCAR FANS OFF.
sm**t**n**s@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 9:55 AM EDT
Stopping the race for stage points blows
sh**b**t**8@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:35 PM EDT
It was good to see Alex B running up front.
jo**b**e**4@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:19 PM EDT
Good race, except for the big wreck.A lot of passing.
rt*ap*e@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 5:11 AM EDT
Probably the "injection of fun" the sport needed after a season of Toyota dominance.
gr*****s****d*****s@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 8:14 AM EDT
Man, my guy Bubba just can't catch a break!
ed**r*i*k@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:17 PM EDT
I was able to watch it on a major channel with no subscription. Awesome.
li***m**m***e@hotmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 7:55 AM EDT
Really happy Hocevar is "on his way" Like that guy
ma**r*6**4@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 8:59 PM EDT
The longer stage 1 really set up the 2nd one well. 3rd was the best!!
ts*e*r*d@live.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:32 PM EDT
After the first stage it turned into a good race. As usual, the big wreck took a lot of quality cars out. At least the changes in stage lengths improved the racing after stage one.
av**p**e**a@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:05 PM EDT
Finally a good race!
mc**m**a**6@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:20 PM EDT
Dega is always a good race. I hate seeing so many wrecked out, but it’s also part of the excitement,
bc**n**0**0@icloud.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 8:24 AM EDT
No fun super speedway boring
pi**t*m*b@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:28 PM EDT
Hate when the big one takes out so much of the competition. I am pleased with Hocevar's win. Glad for the kid.
42*3ge@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:18 PM EDT
It was great to see Carson win his 1st race without wrecking someone,,well almost,,#43,,but still
mi****l***s****4@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 6:50 AM EDT
Better than usual. Still a lot of freight trains During the race. The O’Reilly race was fantastic! 3wide The Whole d—n race w/ Multitude of lead changes. Gear the Cup race more in that direction. ME
st****k***b***y@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 8:12 AM EDT
Wrecked the 43 and then won, I hate racers who can't drive and then get rewarded
te***g***h***s@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 9:27 AM EDT
I think the second stage should have been the longer stage. Would have allowed adjustments to be made to the cars sooner.
ma***n**e***0@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 9:10 AM EDT
Winner due to massive wreck of many top conders
qu***m**l**4@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 10:46 PM EDT
It had the big one!! 26 car pile up was awesome! Just thankful no one was injured.. It was action packed .enjoy super Speedways!
31**a*n**l@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:14 PM EDT
I didn't like the way they ran the race. I wish they would leave the race alone.I've been a race fan for years i am not happy with stages. The should go back the way it was. It's not fun and exciting to wach anymore.
st****n***v****2@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 1:25 AM EDT
Another fuel mileage debacle
tr**i*k*7@gmail.com
Apr 26, 2026 · 9:34 PM EDT
A lot of people hammering Bubba, and I really don't care for him, but, those people watched the same race I did. Did they not notice Lagano started it with a draft push into Blaney, who then hit Chastain who hit Wallace. Nobody's fault, just a racing thang.
ca***a**1***7@gmail.com
Apr 27, 2026 · 12:45 AM EDT
1st exciting race in quite a while at a super speedway!