Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a premier NASCAR racing venue located in Lincoln, Alabama, known for being the longest and one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit. Renowned for its high-speed, high-banked tri-oval layout, Talladega delivers some of the most thrilling and unpredictable stock car races in motorsports. Since opening in 1969, it has become a flagship superspeedway, famous for record-breaking speeds and close finishes that excite racing fans worldwide.
History
The idea for Talladega Superspeedway originated in the mid-1960s when NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. sought to expand racing venues beyond the Atlantic coast and into the southeastern United States’ inland markets. The site selected was a 2,000-acre former Anniston Air Force Base located near Talladega, Alabama. Construction began on May 23, 1968, with the facility originally named Alabama International Motor Speedway.
Talladega officially opened on September 13, 1969. The inaugural races included the Bama 400 Grand Touring race won by Ken Rush and the first NASCAR Grand National (now Cup) race, the Talladega 500, won by Richard Brickhouse. Early on, concerns arose about the extreme speeds—qualifying saw drivers reach nearly 200 mph, pushing tire technology to its limits, causing some drivers to boycott that initial Cup event. Over the years, Talladega became known for its 33-degree banking—the steepest in NASCAR—and its unusually long backstretch and frontstretch, leading to fast, tightly packed racing that involves drafting and frequent lead changes.
The track was renamed Talladega Superspeedway in 1989. It has undergone infrastructure upgrades, including repaving and expanded facilities, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019 with major fan zone and garage improvements.
Most Famous Races Held
Talladega hosts several marquee NASCAR events, with the most notable being:
The GEICO 500 (Spring Cup Race): Known for its intense pack racing and frequent lead changes, this race is a fan favorite and a pivotal points event each season.
The YellaWood 500 (Fall Cup Race): Traditionally the longer of the two, this event often serves as a playoff race with high stakes and dramatic finishes. It is famous for historic moments, including photo finishes and major multi-car crashes known as “The Big One.”
ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series races: Talladega also hosts other national series with equally exciting races that help develop future NASCAR stars.
Talladega is notable for holding records for the closest finishes in NASCAR history, including a margin of victory as slim as 0.002 seconds and frequent multi-driver battles that test skill and strategy.
Track Information
Location: Lincoln, Alabama
Track Length: 2.66 miles (4.28 kilometers)
Track Type: Tri-oval superspeedway
Banking: 33 degrees in turns, 16.5 degrees on the front stretch
Surface: Asphalt
Unique Features: The start/finish line is offset closer to Turn 1 rather than centered on the front stretch, designed to give spectators a better view of race finishes. The track’s length and banking make it the fastest oval in NASCAR, with speeds historically approaching 200 mph before restrictor plates or other regulations were introduced.
