Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway is a 2.66-mile asphalt tri-oval in Talladega, Alabama, built by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and opened in 1969 as the Alabama International Motor Speedway; it was renamed Talladega Superspeedway in 1989 [1][2]. It hosts NASCAR Cup Series races each spring and fall and is known for high speeds and pack racing [1].

Origins

Bill France Sr. first planned a track in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but local opposition ended that plan, and he pursued Alabama sites instead [1]. Ground was broken on May 23, 1968, on a 2,000-acre site, at a projected cost of $5 million [1][2]. Practice opened September 9, 1969; the first race, the ’Bama 400 Grand Touring race, ran September 13, won by Ken Rush in a Camaro, and the inaugural Talladega 500 followed on September 14 [1][2]. The International Speedway Corporation owned the track from 1969 to 2019, and NASCAR has owned it since [1].

The first race

Drivers complained of a rough surface and rapid tire wear, and about 36 Professional Drivers Association members agreed to withdraw; France refused to postpone and recruited replacements [1]. Richard Brickhouse won before a crowd of about 64,000, lower than expected [1][2].

Speed records and restrictor plates

Buddy Baker became the first to exceed 200 mph on a closed course in March 1970, averaging 200.449 mph, and Mark Donohue set 221.160 mph in 1975 [1]. Lyn St. James became the first woman to exceed 200 mph [1]. After Bobby Allison’s 1987 tire blowout and crash into the catchfence injured four spectators, NASCAR introduced restrictor plates, which stayed until 2019 and led to pack racing and multi-car wrecks called “the Big One” [1]. The official Cup lap record is 46.530 seconds, set by Parker Kligerman in 2019 [1].

Racing today

Major events are the spring Cup race and the fall YellaWood 500, with support races in other NASCAR series; past series included IMSA GT, the International Race of Champions and AMA Superbike [1]. Attendance peaked around 190,000 at the 2003 Aaron’s 499 [1]. A 4.0-mile road course was used from 1969 to 1989 [1].

Opening and design

Bill France Sr. built the track after a plan for Spartanburg, South Carolina, was rejected. It opened September 9, 1969, with the first Talladega 500 on September 14, drawing 64,000. The 2.660-mile tri-oval has 33-degree banking in the turns, 16.5 degrees in the tri-oval and 2 degrees on the straights. It was Alabama International Motor Speedway until 1989.[3]

Records

Buddy Baker became the first to exceed 200 mph on a closed course in March 1970 at 200.449 mph, and Mark Donohue set a closed-circuit record of 221.160 mph in 1975. The NASCAR Cup lap record is 46.530 seconds, set by Parker Kligerman in 2019.[3]

Events and attendance

The Cup Series runs the Jack Link’s 500 in spring and the YellaWood 500 in fall, with second-tier and Truck races as well. Grandstands seat 80,000 as of 2022, down from 143,000 in 2003; attendance peaked near 190,000 at the 2003 Aaron’s 499 and fell to 108,500 in 2012.[3]

FAQs

How long is Talladega? 2.66 miles [1][2].

Who won the first Talladega 500? Richard Brickhouse, in 1969 [1][2].

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Talladega Superspeedway
2. Talladega Superspeedway: Track Facts
3. Wikipedia: Talladega Superspeedway

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue