For many, the names Richard Petty, Donnie Allison, and Darrell Waltrip will be forever associated with racing. But not every racetrack in America holds the magical appeal of their iconic speedways. Talladega is one of those tracks that most people have never even heard of. But it’s a place that should be on every motorsport fan’s bucket list.
Talladega is located in Alabama and is one of the bigger racetracks in the country. The track measures 4.9 miles long and features a 3.5-mile straightaway, which is banked at 33 degrees. The infield is lined with grandstands that hold up to 65,000 spectators. The speedway is also host to the Toyota Grand Prix, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, and the Aaron’s 312. So not only is it home to some of the biggest names in NASCAR, but it also features some of the most memorable rivalries and racing moments in the sport’s history.
With all of that in mind, here’s how you can get a taste of NASCAR at Talladega.
Book Your Accommodations
Accommodations are one of the most crucial parts of any road trip, especially one that ventures far from home. If you want to hit the jackpot—and who doesn’t?—you need to find the perfect blend of price and location. With the budget in mind, it’s important to find a budget-friendly option that’s also close to the track. Even though you’ll be traveling during the off-season, finding a decent place to stay is still hard. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’ve booked your accommodations in advance, especially if you want to get a good night’s sleep and get up early for a NASCAR race.
Drive To The Track
If you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you can catch a glimpse of NASCAR in action. Fortunately for us, the 2019 season is in full swing and everyone is located in the South. That means we get to venture out into the chilly northern wind and catch some of NASCAR‘s greatest moments. The one disadvantage to this scenario is that you have to put up with the horrible winter weather. If you hate the cold, then stay away from the north and catch the sport in the spring or summer.
One of the best things about the North is its toll roads. These are designated routes that charge drivers for using them. The rules are generally the same as those on regular roads, but you must pay when you drive on a toll road. Fortunately, there are several options for travelers and motorsport fans to avoid paying the tolls. You can download an app that alerts you when you’re near a road that’s free or use the Skyway Toll Road, which is a free alternative. Of course, you can also choose to avoid the tolls and find a way around them. When you’re located in a region with numerous toll roads, this is something that you need to consider.
The Great American Race
You might know that the American flag represents the union of the 13 colonies that became the United States of America, not the Confederate States of America. But did you know that NASCAR is actually named after the Great American Race, which was first held in 1946? This is the same race that was won by the legendary Bill Elliott, one of the sport’s first big names. The race was such a success that the track owners decided to hold it annually. Though the rules have changed a little over the years, the basic premise of the race remains the same: four cars start at the same time, and the first one to cross the finish line wins. The competitors must keep their cars on the track during the entire race, which means they can’t stop driving to catch their breath. This is one of the most exciting races on the calendar, not just because of the intense competition but also because of the entire buildup leading up to it. The practice sessions before the big race always seem to be the scene of some sort of altercation.
The Biggest Little Race In The Country
After you’ve witnessed the fury of the Great American Race, you can’t help but wonder about the Big Little Race™. This is the name given to the annual NASCAR race held at the scenic and iconic Kentucky Speedway. Unlike most places that host NASCAR races, Kentucky Speedway is actually a superspeedway, which means it has a much longer straightaway than normal roads. This is where the Biggest Little Race takes place, and it really is the smallest of the small races. The field is typically made up of local drivers and sometimes even some celebrities. But it’s not exactly the kind of place you’d want to drive defensively because you never know what could happen on the long straightaway. Though it doesn’t hold the historical significance of the other races, the Big Little Race is an important part of the NASCAR schedule and is often the final quarter-mile of the year. This is when the cars really start flying. As the saying goes, everything slows down when you reach the end of the straightaway, and this is especially true when you’re driving at high speeds. This is a place where legends are made and where many of NASCAR‘s biggest rivalries are born. It would be a great shame to miss out on all of that because you were too afraid to drive there. Though officially a “B” race, it’s often referred to as the Little 500, which is named after its distance. So while it’s a fun event, it also has a special nickname that indicates its historical significance. This is one race that you don’t want to miss if you’re a motorsport fan.
Where To Eat And Drink
After a long day of watching NASCAR races, you’re going to need something to eat and drink. Fortunately, there are plenty of great places to eat and drink near Talladega. If you’re looking for Italian, there’s a great Italian restaurant nearby called the Red Roof. But if you want to grab a quick burger before you head back to the hotel, there are several places to eat what many consider to be the best in the region. You can’t go wrong with any of the local bars either, especially since they always have a large selection of microbrews on tap. Of course, if you want to stay in a nice hotel, there are several great choices within driving distance of Talladega. You can’t make a mistake with any of the large chain hotels. In fact, you can’t even make a mistake with any of the small chain hotels. You always get what you pay for, and that is truly the best way to enjoy your stay.
Take In A Game
If you have a chance, it’d be great to take a walk down memory lane and relive some of the sport’s greatest moments. One of the best ways to do this is through footnotes, the in-race commentary that is often critical of the teams and sometimes even the drivers. Though it can be humorous at times, the footnotes are often an excellent resource for historians and fans. You can find out a lot about the racetrack and the sport from these seemingly mundane bits of information. In addition, you can also find out when a current event is happening via your smartphone. Several apps make this process easier, especially if you want to keep track of what’s going on. Whether you’re sitting in the stands or lounging in a luxury box, it’s always great to come back to the scene of some of the greatest moments. Plus, you never know when a celebrity might show up and save you from having to sit through another boring race.