Talladega Superspeedway
Tri-oval (1969–present) | |
| Location | 3366 Speedway Boulevard, Lincoln, Alabama, 35096 |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC−6 (UTC−5 DST) |
| Coordinates | 33°34′01.06″N 86°03′57.85″W / 33.5669611°N 86.0660694°W |
| Capacity | 80,000 |
| Owner | NASCAR (2019–present) International Speedway Corporation (1969–2019) |
| Broke ground | 23 May 1968 |
| Opened | 9 September 1969 |
| Construction cost | $5 million USD |
| Former names | Alabama International Motor Speedway (1969–1989) |
| Major events | Current: NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 (1970–present) YellaWood 500 (1969–present) NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 (1992–present) United Rentals 250 (2020–2022, 2024-present) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love's RV Stop 225 (2006–present) Former: International Race of Champions (1984, 1986, 1990–1996, 1999–2001, 2003) AMA Superbike Championship (1980–1983) IMSA GT Championship (1971–1972, 1974–1976, 1978) |
| Website | talladegasuperspeedway |
| Tri-oval (1969–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.660 miles (4.281 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Turns: 33° Tri-oval: 16.5° Straights: 2° |
| Race lap record | 0:46.530 ( Parker Kligerman, Toyota Camry, 2019, NASCAR Cup) |
| Road Course (1969–1989) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.000 miles (6.437 km) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 1:53.400 ( Peter Gregg, Porsche 935, 1978, IMSA GTX) |
Talladega Superspeedway (Alabama International Motor Speedway from 1969 to 1989) is a 2.66-mile (4.28 km) tri-oval superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. 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 Brian Crichton. The grandstand can seat 80,000 as of 2022. Along with the main track, the track complex also has a 4-mile (6.4 km) roval-style road course.
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 fast, wild, and chaotic, with speeds of over 200 miles per hour (320 km/h), 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.