'Dega | |
---|---|
Location | 3366 Speedway Boulevard, Lincoln, Alabama 35096, United States [1] |
Time zone | UTC−6 / UTC−5 (DST) |
Coordinates | 33°34′01.06″N86°03′57.85″W / 33.5669611°N 86.0660694°W |
Capacity | 80,000–175,000 [2] [3] (depending on configuration) |
Owner | NASCAR (2019–present) International Speedway Corporation (1969–2019) |
Operator | NASCAR (1969–present) |
Broke ground | May 23, 1968 |
Opened | September 13, 1969 |
Construction cost | US$4 million |
Architect | Bill Ward and William France Sr. |
Former names | Alabama International Motor Speedway (1969–1988) |
Major events | Current: NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 (1970–present) YellaWood 500 (1969–present) NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 (1992–present) Sparks 300 (2020–2022, 2024) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love's RV Stop 250 (2006–present) ARCA Menards Series General Tire 200 (1969–1970, 1975–present) Former: AMA Superbike Championship (1980–1983) IMSA GT Championship (1971–1972, 1974–1976, 1978) |
Tri-Oval (1969–present) | |
Surface | Asphalt |
Length | 2.660 miles (4.281 km) |
Turns | 4 |
Banking | Turns 1 & 2: 33° Turn 3: 32.4° Turn 4: 32.5° Tri-oval: 16.5° Back straight: 3° |
Race lap record | 0:44.998 ( Bill Elliott, Ford Thunderbird, 1987, NASCAR Cup Series) |
Road Course (1969–1989) | |
Length | 4.000 miles (6.437 km) |
Turns | 11 |
Race lap record | 1:53.400 ( Peter Gregg, Porsche 935, 1978, IMSA GTX) |
Talladega Superspeedway, nicknamed "Dega", and formerly named Alabama International Motor Speedway (AIMS) from 1969 to 1989, is a motorsports complex located in Lincoln, Alabama, north of Talladega, Alabama. [1] It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base. A tri-oval, the track was constructed in 1969 by the International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family. As of 2023 [update] , the track hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Talladega is the longest NASCAR oval, with a length of 2.660 mi (4.281 km), compared to the Daytona International Speedway, which is 2.500 mi (4.023 km) long. The total peak capacity of Talladega is around 175,000 spectators, [4] [5] [6] with the main grandstand capacity being about 80,000. [7] As of 2023, Talladega is one of NASCAR's three drafting tracks, alongside Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway.
During the 1960s, William "Bill" France, Sr. wanted to build a track faster and longer than his Daytona International Speedway. After failed attempts to negotiate with local government in Orange County, North Carolina, with the Occoneechee Speedway, he attempted to find a new spot for a race track and make his idea a reality. After failing to secure a location near the research triangle around Raleigh, France then looked around between Atlanta and Charlotte around Greenville, South Carolina to build the track as it would take away business from the tracks there. However, Sunday blue laws prevented races from being held on Sundays in South Carolina. The Southern 500 was held on Labor Day at the time, after failing to agree to terms with officials, France set his sights elsewhere. He then looked between Atlanta and Birmingham along Interstate 20. With the support of Alabama Governor George Wallace, France broke ground on an old airfield 47 mi (76 km) east of Birmingham and 100 mi (160 km) west of Atlanta on May 23, 1968. The track opened on September 13, 1969, costing $4 million. The track was named the "Alabama International Motor Speedway". The name would remain for twenty years until 1989, when the facility's name was changed to "Talladega Superspeedway". [8]
In the first race at the track, all the original drivers aside from Bobby Isaac, Richard Brickhouse, Jim Vandiver abandoned the track due to tire problems, which forced France to hire substitute drivers, the winner being Brickhouse. After the first race, Talladega hosted two Cup Series races a year, one of which would become part of the 10-race NASCAR Cup Series playoff format.
Since its opening year, Talladega has hosted many races and has been repaved four times. Talladega has also had many first-time winners, such as Richard Brickhouse, Ron Bouchard, Bobby Hillin Jr, Davey Allison, Brian Vickers, Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Bubba Wallace. [9]
A 4.000 mi (6.437 km) infield road course operated from the track's founding until 1983. [10] In the 1970s, six IMSA GT Championship races were held at the speedway, including a 6-hour race in 1978. [11] The International Motorsports Hall of Fame museum was opened in 1983. The road course itself, roughly 1.200 mi (1.931 km), can still be used and is separated from the speedway. It is scheduled to host the National Finals for the United States version of the UK-based Greenpower Electric Car Challenge at Talladega Superspeedway, for student-built electric cars, in May 2022.
In May 2006, Talladega started to re-surface the track and the apron. Construction started on May 1 and lasted until September 18. The first race on the resurfaced race track was a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on October 7. [12]
In December 2013, the ISC announced removal of the 18,000-seat Allison Grandstand on the backstretch, [13] reducing the track's seating capacity to 80,000. [14] The 4,000-ft backstraightaway was renamed the "Alabama Gang Superstretch" in time for the 2014 Aaron's 499 held in the spring. [15]
Speeds in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h) are commonplace at Talladega. Talladega has the record for the fastest recorded speed by a NASCAR vehicle on a closed oval course, with the record of 216.309 mph (348.116 km/h) set by Rusty Wallace on June 9, 2004. [16] Wallace circled the 2.660 mi (4.281 km) trioval in 44.270 seconds, which surpassed the previous record held by Bill Elliott (212.809 mph (342.483 km/h)) set in 1987, but did not replace the record because it was a radio test and not a NASCAR sanctioned event. Buddy Baker was the first driver to run at a speed over 200 mph (320 km/h), with a 200.447 mph (322.588 km/h) lap during "testing" on March 24, 1970. Bill France himself invited Chrysler to run a 200 lap for publicity for the April race. The car was fully NASCAR inspected and certified. NASCAR sanctioned the event and Bill Gazaway was there with the official timing equipment. Baker's 200 mph lap was set while driving the No. 88 Chrysler Engineering Charger Daytona. It is currently undergoing restoration in Detroit, after being found in the late 1990s in Iowa. Benny Parsons was the first driver to qualify at over 200 mph (320 km/h), doing so in 1982 with a speed of 200.176 mph (322.152 km/h).
In May 1987, Bobby Allison, after contacting debris from a blown engine, cut his right-rear tire while going through the tri-oval section of the track. The car was vaulted airborne. His car damaged a section of the frontstretch catch fence but did not enter the spectator area. NASCAR imposed rule changes to slow the cars after the incident, with a 1988 rule requiring cars running there and at Daytona to again use restrictor plates. The most often cited reason is a fear that the increasing speeds exceeded the tires' capabilities at the time, as high-speed tire failure had led to some terrific crashes at slightly lower speeds. The plates limit the amount of air and fuel entering the intake manifolds of the engine, significantly reducing the power of the cars and hence their speed. Like restrictor plates, NASCAR changed the package for Daytona and Talladega to use tapered spacers, which are larger throttle bodies than the plates, and restrict less airflow, allowing larger horsepower, increased closing rates, and slightly higher speeds. This has led to a highly competitive racing style at Talladega and Daytona. Allison's crash was very similar to Carl Edwards's airborne crash at the 2009 Aaron's 499.
The reduced power affects not only the maximum speed reached by the cars but also the time it takes them to achieve their full speed, which can be nearly one full circuit of the track. The racing at Talladega is exceptionally tight, often in rows of three or four cars, and sometimes even five lanes wide on the straightaways throughout most of the field, as the track is wide enough to permit such racing. Breaking away from the pack is nearly impossible.
Such close quarters make it extremely difficult for a driver to avoid an incident as it unfolds in front of them. The slightest mistake can lead to a multi-car accident dubbed "the Big One" by fans and drivers. It is uncommon but possible to see 20 or more cars collected in the crashes. Occasionally, cars go airborne and barrel-roll or slide on their roofs. However, NASCAR has made several advances in safety over the years to lessen the chance of a car going airborne.
Numerous strange occurrences at the track have led to rumors of Talladega being cursed. Stories of the origin of the curse vary. Some claim that a local Native American tribe held horse races in the valley where the track currently resides, where a chief was killed when he was thrown from his horse. Others say that the site of the superspeedway was once an Indian burial ground. Still another version says that after the local tribe was driven out by the Creek nation for their collaboration with the forces of Andrew Jackson, a shaman put a curse on the valley. [17]
Since the construction of the track, many unusual events and untimely deaths have fueled the rumors of a jinx or curse. In the 1973 Talladega 500, NASCAR Rookie of the Year Larry Smith died of massive head injuries in a solo crash, one that was reported by commentators as a heavy hit, but believed by no means bad enough to be fatal. [18] Later in the same race, driver Bobby Isaac parked his car and announced he was quitting racing; he did not participate in another race for the remainder of the 1973 season. Isaac explained, "Something told me to quit. I don't know anything else to do but abide by it." [19] At the time of Isaac's death in 1977, friend and colleague Ned Jarrett told reporters that the reason Isaac parked his car in Talladega was because he "had heard a voice that told him to quit". [20]
During the 1974 Winston 500, Penske Racing crewman Don Miller lost part of his leg in a pit lane accident. Miller was helping service his team's AMC Matador, driven by Gary Bettenhausen. Another driver hit the car in the pit lane, pinning Miller between the pit wall and Bettenhausen's car. In the Talladega 500 a few months later, ten of the top eleven qualifying drivers found that their cars had been mechanically—and elaborately—sabotaged the night before the race. While most of the damage was quietly repaired before the race, the culprit was never found. [17] [21]
In the 1975 Winston 500, Randy Owens, brother-in-law of Richard Petty and a crew member on the family team Petty Enterprises (father of current NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Trent Owens), was killed by an air tank that exploded in the pits. [22]
To some, Bobby Allison's wreck in 1987 described above was yet another reminder of the curse. In 1993, his son, Davey Allison, died in a helicopter crash in the infield of Talladega. [17]
In 1996, Automobile Racing Club of America president Bob Loga died after a traffic accident in a parking lot. [23] ARCA team owner James Hylton was killed in a highway accident following the 2018 ARCA race, 22 years and one day after former ARCA president Bob Loga died.
The Legend of Hallowdega , a comedic short film about the Talladega jinx, was directed by Terry Gilliam and released in 2010.
Talladega hosts many NASCAR events, including two Cup Series races, one Xfinity Series race, and one Truck Series race. The Cup Series races are the GEICO 500 and the YellaWood 500, which are both 188 laps each or 500.08 miles (804.80 km). The Xfinity Series race has historically been a 311.2-mile/500-kilometer (117 laps) since its 1992 inception, but was cut to 300 miles (480 km) (113 laps) in 1998 due to a spectator's letter questioning the metric distance, but restored to 500 kilometers by its current[ when? ] sponsor. The Truck Series race is 250 miles (94 laps). Once a 500 kilometer affair, the ARCA race was shortened to 300 miles in 1998 and to 250 miles in 2006 when it was moved to Friday.
(As of 3/24/19)
Most Wins | 10 | Dale Earnhardt |
Most consecutive Wins | 4 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
Most top 5s | 23 | Dale Earnhardt |
Most top 10s | 27 | Dale Earnhardt |
Most starts | 61 | Dave Marcis and Terry Labonte |
Most poles | 8 | Bill Elliott |
Most laps completed | 10,181 | Michael Waltrip |
Most laps led | 1,377 | Dale Earnhardt |
Avg. start* | 5.3 | Davey Allison |
Avg. finish* | 12.4 | Dale Earnhardt |
*minimum fifteen starts
In the winter, the circuit's infield also hosts the Birmingham Ultimate Disc Association Mud Bowl tournament.
The outright fastest track record set during a race weekend on the 2.660 mi (4.281 km) Tri-Oval is 44.998 seconds, set by Bill Elliott in a Ford Thunderbird, during qualifying for the 1987 Winston 500. As of October 2020, the fastest official lap records at Talladega Superspeedway (formerly Alabama International Motor Speedway) are listed as:
Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
D-shaped Tri-Oval: 4.281 km (1969–present) [24] | ||||
NASCAR Cup | 46.530 [25] | Parker Kligerman | Toyota Camry | 2019 1000Bulbs.com 500 |
NASCAR Xfinity | 48.695 [26] | Joe Nemechek | Chevrolet Silverado | 2018 Sparks Energy 300 |
NASCAR Truck | 48.875 [27] | Trevor Bayne | Chevrolet Silverado | 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 250 |
Road Course: 6.437 km (1969–1989) [24] | ||||
IMSA GTX | 1:53.400 [28] | Peter Gregg | Porsche 935 | 1978 6 Hours of Talladega |
IMSA GT | 1:56.600 [29] | Michael Keyser | Chevrolet Monza | 1976 'Bama 200 Talladega |
IMSA GTO | 2:04.327 [30] | Tony DeLorenzo | Chevrolet Corvette | 1972 Inver House 'Bama 200 |
IMSA AAC | 2:07.130 [28] | Gene Felton | Buick Skylark | 1978 6 Hours of Talladega |
IMSA GTU | 2:08.200 [29] | Elliot Forbes-Robinson [lower-alpha 1] Brad Frisselle [lower-alpha 1] Dave White [lower-alpha 1] | Datsun 240Z [lower-alpha 1] Datsun 240Z [lower-alpha 1] Porsche 911 S [lower-alpha 1] | 1976 'Bama 200 Talladega |
Many drivers won the first race of their careers at Talladega. As of October 4, 2021, twelve Cup drivers and two Xfinity drivers have won their first race at Talladega.
* As of April 2022, this was their only career win in the series.
A restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power. This kind of system is occasionally used in road vehicles for insurance purposes, but mainly in automobile racing, to limit top speed to provide equal level of competition, and to lower costs; insurance purposes have also factored in for motorsports.
The 1993 Winston 500 was the ninth stock car race of the 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 24th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, May 2, 1993, before an audience of 145,000 in Lincoln, Alabama at Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66 miles (4.28 km) permanent triangle-shaped superspeedway. The race took the scheduled 188 laps to complete. After a rain-delay late into the race, NASCAR officials determined to let the race finish under a two-lap shootout. In a late-race charge, Morgan–McClure Motorsports driver Ernie Irvan would manage to charge from fourth to first on the final lap to take his seventh career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory and his first victory of the season. To fill out the top three, Bobby Allison Motorsports driver Jimmy Spencer and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Dale Jarrett would finish second and third, respectively.
The 1980 Talladega 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on August 3, 1980, at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama, USA.
The 1982 Winston 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place May 2, 1982, at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama.
The 1984 Winston 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on May 6, 1984, at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama.
The 1985 Winston 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on May 5, 1985, at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama as race number 9 of 28 of the 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season.
The 1997 Winston 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on May 10, 1997, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. Heavy rain and prior NASCAR commitments forced this race to be rescheduled from April 27, 1997.
The 1987 Winston 500 was the ninth stock car race of the 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 18th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, May 3, 1987, before an audience of 135,000 in Lincoln, Alabama at Alabama International Motor Speedway, a 2.66 miles (4.28 km) permanent triangle-shaped superspeedway. The race was shortened from its scheduled 188 laps to 178 due to impending darkness that was caused by a lengthy red flag for debris cleanup and catch fence repairs for an earlier accident.
The 2000 Winston 500 was the 30th stock car race of the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, the last of five No Bull 5 events in that year's season, and the 32nd iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, October 15, 2000, before an audience of 140,000 in Lincoln, Alabama at Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66 miles permanent triangle-shaped superspeedway. The race took the scheduled 188 laps to complete.
The 2018 GEICO 500 was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on April 29, 2018, at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Contested over 188 laps on the 2.66 mile (4.28 km) superspeedway, it was the 10th race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
The 2018 1000Bulbs.com 500 was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race that was held on October 14, 2018, at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Contested over 193 laps – extended from 188 laps due to an overtime finish, on the 2.66 mile (4.2 km) superspeedway, it was the 31st race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, the fifth race of the Playoffs, and second race of the Round of 12. This was a notable race for Stewart-Haas Racing, who dominated in qualifying and both stages, and ended up winning the race with driver Aric Almirola
The 2019 GEICO 500 was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on April 28, 2019, at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Contested over 188 laps on the 2.66 mile (4.28 km) superspeedway, it was the 10th race of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
The 2020 Daytona 500, the 62nd running of the event, was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on February 16–17, 2020. It was contested over 209 laps—extended from 200 laps due to an overtime finish, on the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) asphalt superspeedway. It was the first race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.
The 2021 Daytona 500, the 63rd running of the event, was a NASCAR Cup Series race that was held on February 14–15, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Contested over 200 laps on the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) asphalt superspeedway, it was the first race of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. In one of the biggest surprise upsets in Daytona 500 history, Michael McDowell, driving for Front Row Motorsports, won after Team Penske teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski wrecked battling for the lead on the final lap. McDowell was a 100–1 underdog, making his 358th Cup Series start and driving for a team with only two previous Cup Series victories.
The 2020 Sparks 300 was a NASCAR Xfinity Series race held on October 3, 2020. It was contested over 113 laps on the 2.66-mile (4.28 km) tri-oval superspeedway. It was the twenty-eighth race of the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the second race of the playoffs, and the second race in the Round of 12. Kaulig Racing driver Justin Haley collected his third win of the season.
The 2018 Sparks Energy 300 was the ninth stock car race of the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and the 27th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, April 28, 2018, in Lincoln, Alabama at Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66 miles permanent triangle-shaped superspeedway. The race was extended from the scheduled 113 laps to 115 due to a NASCAR overtime finish. At race's end, Spencer Gallagher of GMS Racing would make a last lap pass on Tyler Reddick and fend off the field to win a shocker, winning his first and so far final NASCAR Xfinity Series win of his career and his first and only win of the season. To fill out the podium, Brandon Jones of Joe Gibbs Racing and Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports would finish second and third, respectively.
The 2022 Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300 was the first stock car race of the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series and the 41st iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Florida at Daytona International Speedway, a 2.5 miles (4.0 km) permanent triangular-shaped superspeedway. The race was run over 120 laps. In a wild ending, Austin Hill, driving for Richard Childress Racing, would win the race under caution, with a major wreck including Jordan Anderson Racing driver Myatt Snider flipping and hitting the catchfence with others involved spinning and hitting parts of Snider's wrecked car. Snider would eventually walk away, unharmed from the incident. The win was Hill's first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win and his first of the season. To fill out the podium, A. J. Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing and Noah Gragson of JR Motorsports would finish second and third, respectively.
The 2022 Ag-Pro 300 was the ninth stock car race of the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series, the 31st iteration of the event, and the third race of the Dash 4 Cash. The race was held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Lincoln, Alabama at Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66 mile permanent triangle-shaped superspeedway. The Dash 4 Cash in this race is consisted of Brandon Jones, Landon Cassill, A. J. Allmendinger, and Austin Hill, since they were the highest finishing Xfinity regulars after Martinsville Speedway. The race was extended from 113 laps to 124 laps, due to three NASCAR overtime attempts. At race's end, Noah Gragson of JR Motorsports would grab the win, after being able to take the lead on the final restart. This was Gragson's seventh career Xfinity Series win, and his second of the season. To fill out the podium, Jeffrey Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing and A. J. Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing would finish 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Allmendinger would win the Dash 4 Cash, after finishing ahead of Cassill, Jones, and Hill.
The 2016 Sparks Energy 300 was the ninth stock car race of the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and the 25th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Lincoln, Alabama, at Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66 miles permanent triangular-shaped superspeedway. The race was increased from 113 laps to 116 laps, due to a NASCAR overtime finish. In a wild finish that sparked controversy, Elliott Sadler, driving for JR Motorsports, would spin Brad Keselowski on the final lap, and earned his 11th career NASCAR Xfinity Series win, and his first of the season. To fill out the podium, Justin Allgaier, driving for JR Motorsports, and Brennan Poole, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, would finish second and third, respectively.
The 2016 fred's 250 Powered by Coca-Cola was the 19th stock car race of the 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the final race of the Round of 8, and the 11th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, October 22, 2016, in Lincoln, Alabama, at Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66-mile (4.28 km) permanent tri-oval shaped superspeedway. The race took the scheduled 94 laps to complete. Grant Enfinger, driving for GMS Racing, pulled off the upset win, after holding off Spencer Gallagher on the final lap. It was Enfinger's first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win. To fill out the podium, Timothy Peters, driving for Red Horse Racing, would finish in 3rd, respectively.