Talladega Superspeedway Opening

The longest oval on the NASCAR schedule, known for high speeds and a legendary infield party.

Talladega Superspeedway (formerly known as Alabama International Motor Speedway from 1969 to 1989) is a 2.660 mi tri-oval superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, United States. Built in 1969, the track has hosted a variety of racing events, primarily races sanctioned by NASCAR. The track is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Josh Harris. The grandstand can seat 80,000 as of 2022. Along with the main track, the track complex also has a 4.000 mi roval-style road course.

Quick Facts

Opened: September 14, 1969 (first race)
Christening date: September 13, 1969
Track configuration: 2.66 mi tri-oval superspeedway

Lore & Background

In the early 1960s, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. built the track near Talladega, Alabama, after a failed proposal to build one in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Over its first couple decades, the track gained a reputation as a fast and wild facility with speeds of over 200 mph, major accidents, and unusual occurrences. NASCAR's introduction of the restrictor plate and the appearance of pack racing in the late 1980s exacerbated its chaotic reputation, with several 'Big One' accidents involving 10 or more cars.

Reader's Guide

Talladega Superspeedway in its current form is measured at 2.660 mi, with 33 degrees of banking in the turns, 16.5 degrees of banking in the tri-oval section, and two degrees of banking in the straights. The track, similar in shape to the NASCAR-owned Daytona International Speedway, differs from Daytona due to its start-finish line; Talladega's start finish line is around a 1/4 mi away from the track's center point. Within NASCAR's schedule, Talladega Superspeedway is the longest oval NASCAR races on during the season. The track also has a 4 mi roval-style road course. As of 2022, Talladega Superspeedway has a capacity of 80,000, down from 143,000 in 2003. The track's infield covers about 270 acres, and hosts around 2,700 RV parking spots. In total, the track complex covers around 3,000 acres, the largest on the NASCAR schedule.

Did You Know?

The track was built on the site of the former Anniston Air Force Base.
The grandstand capacity was reduced from 143,000 in 2003 to 80,000 as of 2022.
The infield party scene has been described as 'full of redneck engineering and school buses and questionable decisions' by ESPN's Ryan McGee.