Talladega Superspeedway

Track Info

Location	Lincoln, Alabama
Type	Tri-Oval Superspeedway
Length	2.66 miles (4.281 km)
Banking	33 degrees in turns, 16.5 degrees on tri-oval, 2 degrees on backstretch
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	~80,000
Opened	1969

Track Characteristics

Talladega Superspeedway is the largest oval track in NASCAR and one of the most intimidating facilities in all of motorsport. At 2.66 miles around, it dwarfs every other track on the schedule, and its 33 degrees of banking in the turns are the steepest of any NASCAR superspeedway. Bill France Sr. built Talladega to be even bigger and faster than Daytona, and that mission was accomplished from the very first race in 1969.

Pack racing at Talladega is unlike anything else in NASCAR. The superspeedway aero package keeps cars bunched together in massive packs, often running three and four wide at speeds approaching 200 mph. Drafting is everything here, and races frequently come down to wild, multi-car battles over the final few laps. The wide racing surface and long straightaways give drivers room to maneuver, but the sheer speed means that crashes can involve huge numbers of cars in what fans call "The Big One."

The track's remote location in east-central Alabama, surrounded by rolling hills and pine forests, gives Talladega race weekends a unique atmosphere. The infield has long been famous for its party culture, and the passionate fan base makes every visit to Talladega a memorable experience.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) - approximately 50 miles west. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) is about 100 miles east.
Nearest City	Lincoln, AL. Birmingham is about an hour west on I-20. Anniston and Oxford are the closest towns with hotels, about 15 miles north.

Series That Race Here

• NASCAR Cup Series - Two races per year (spring and fall playoff race)
• NASCAR Xfinity Series
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
• ARCA Menards Series

2026 NASCAR Event Info

Spring Race	GEICO 500
Spring Date	April 26, 2026
Fall Race	YellaWood 500 (Playoff Round of 12)
Fall Date	October 4, 2026
TV	FOX (spring) / NBC (fall)

Track Records

Qualifying Record	Bill Elliott - 212.809 mph (1987)
Race Record	Mark Martin - 188.354 mph (1997)

Notable Past Races

• 1969: The inaugural Talladega 500 was boycotted by most top drivers over safety concerns about tire failures at the extreme speeds. Richard Brickhouse won the controversial race.
• 2000: Dale Earnhardt made one of the most legendary charges in NASCAR history, going from 18th to 1st over the final five laps to win what would be his final Talladega victory.
• 2003: Michael Waltrip's car caught fire after crossing the finish line in a wild finish that saw multiple cars crash in the tri-oval.
• 2011: A massive crash near the end of the race collected over 25 cars, one of the largest "Big One" incidents in track history.

Track Facts

• Talladega is the longest oval track in NASCAR at 2.66 miles, built by Bill France Sr. as a bigger, faster version of Daytona.
• The track sits on the former Anniston Air Force Base, and runways are still visible near the facility.
• Bill Elliott's 1987 qualifying lap of 212.809 mph is the fastest official speed ever recorded in NASCAR, set just before restrictor plates were mandated.
• The infield at Talladega is so large that it could fit the entire Martinsville Speedway inside it with room to spare.

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