Time for a Talladega Race

Hello again Nascar fans.  I am back with a vengenance and ready to head out to Talladega.  That’s right friends, we are headed to Talladega and I can hardly wait to get there.  I have never been to Dega so this is going to be a special trip in more ways than one.  I will be going with my daughters and it will be an all girl weekend of fun!!   Who ever said racing was not a fun thing to do????  Must have been some Caveman in some isolated place!!!    Well without further ado, let’s look at the fastest track on the circuit, Talladega Super Speedway.

Well Talladega was opened in 1969 due to a greater demand for more tracks within the growing sport.  In response to that fan request the France family opened the Dega speedway.    Talladega has long been considered the fastest track on the circuit earning that reputation not long after racing first began here all those years ago. 

With a degree of banking measured at 33 degrees in the corners, Talladega has the steepest banking of any track on the circuit.   With the entire complex at Talladega, the speedway covers some 3,000 acres.  This includes the track site and parking areas as well.   The infield area is a whopping 212 acres.   That is incredible.   I cant wait to experience it first hand. 

At 2.66 miles, the speedway has the distinction of being the longest and the fastest track on the circuit.   It is also a tri-oval track.  The degree of banking in the grandstand tri-oval is 16.5.   The frontstretch is a whopping 4300 feet long and the backstretch is equally impressive at 4000 feet long.    Those are some incredible numbers. 

Here are some interesting facts based on numbers, and we love numbers in Nascar.  So here are a few numbers to ponder when thinking of Talladega.

1-one mile is the approximate length of the grandstands on the west side of the track.

4-number of regulation Sprint cup cars at 3400 pounds each-that it would take to equal the number of burgers sold on a race weekend. 

8-drivers have won their first Sprint cup race here at Talladega.

26-number of light poles that line the main entrance to Talladega leading to the track’s north tunnel.

62-drivers that have made their very first Sprint cup start at Talladega.

79-number of Sprint cup races held at Talladega to date. 

148-the height in feet of the new Talladega scoring tower.

507-the number of pit stops needed to dispense the entire amount of Pepsi sold at the track during race weekend which is 9000 gallons and the amount of each gas can used by a Nascar team during a pit stop is 17.75 gallons.  Do the math, it should be 507 times- i checked it.

1800-size of the American flag flying above the north tunnel entrance to the speedway in square feet.

7440-number of lightbulbs used in the display of scoring positions on the scoring tower.

12000-number of pounds of ball park franks that are sold at the track during a single race weekend.  That’s alot of hot dogs.

Well fans, I hope you enjoyed this quick look at Talladega Super Speedway.  I will be home Monday and let you know all of the things we did and people we met.  Hopefully lots of hot Nascar drivers.  I always like taking pictures with those guys.   Well here is hoping you guys enjoy the races this weekend.   I know I will.  Take care and I will be back on Monday with all the details!   Have a great weekend Nascar fans.