Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway, nicknamed "Dega", and formerly named Alabama International Motor Speedway (AIMS) from 1969 to 1989, is a motorsports complex located in Lincoln, Alabama, north of Talladega, Alabama. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base. A tri-oval, the track was constructed in 1969 by the International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family. As of 2023, the track hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Talladega is the longest NASCAR oval, with a length of 2.660 mi (4.281 km), compared to the Daytona International Speedway, which is 2.500 mi (4.023 km) long. The total peak capacity of Talladega is around 175,000 spectators, with the main grandstand capacity being about 80,000. As of 2023, Talladega is one of NASCAR's three drafting tracks, alongside Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway.
| 'Dega | |
|---|---|
| Location | 3366 Speedway Boulevard, Lincoln, Alabama 35096, United States |
| Time zone | UTC−6 / UTC−5 (DST) |
| Coordinates | 33°34′01.06″N 86°03′57.85″W |
| Capacity | 80,000–175,000 (depending on configuration) |
| Owner | NASCAR (2019–present) International Speedway Corporation (1969–2019) |
| Operator | NASCAR (1969–present) |
| Broke ground | May 23, 1968 |
| Opened | September 13, 1969 |
| Construction cost | US$4 million |
| Architect | Bill Ward and William France Sr. |
| Former names | Alabama International Motor Speedway (1969–1988) |
| Major events | Current: NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 (1970–present) YellaWood 500 (1969–present) NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 (1992–present) Sparks 300 (2020–2022, 2024) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love's RV Stop 250 (2006–present) ARCA Menards Series General Tire 200 (1969–1970, 1975–present) Former: AMA Superbike Championship (1980–1983) IMSA GT Championship (1971–1972, 1974–1976, 1978) |
| Tri-Oval (1969–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.660 miles (4.281 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Turns 1 & 2: 33° Turn 3: 32.4° Turn 4: 32.5° Tri-oval: 16.5° Back straight: 3° |
| Race lap record | 0:44.998 ( Bill Elliott, Ford Thunderbird, 1987, NASCAR Cup Series) |
| Road Course (1969–1989) | |
| Length | 4.000 miles (6.437 km) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 1:53.400 ( Peter Gregg, Porsche 935, 1978, IMSA GTX) |