User:Nascar9919/sandbox
 | |
 Tri-oval | |
| 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 |
| Owner | NASCAR (2019–present) International Speedway Corporation (1969–2019) |
| Broke ground | 23 May 1968 |
| Opened | 15 June 1960 |
| Construction cost | $2 million USD |
| Former names | Alabama International Motor Speedway (1969–1989) |
| Major events | Current: NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 (1970–present) YellaWood 500 (1969–present) Former: AMA Superbike Championship (1980–1983) IMSA GT Championship (1971–1972, 1974–1976, 1978) |
| Website | talladegasuperspeedway |
| Tri-oval (1969–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 4.281 km (2.660 miles) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Turns: 33° Tri-oval: 16.5° Straights: 2° |
| Race lap record | 0:44.998 ( Bill Elliott, Ford Thunderbird, 1987, NASCAR Cup Series) |
| Road Course (1969–1989) | |
| Length | 6.437 km (4.000 miles) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 1:53.400 ( Peter Gregg, Porsche 935, 1978, IMSA GTX) |
Talladega Superspeedway (formerly named Alabama International Motor Speedway from 1969 to 1989) is a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) tri-oval superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. The track has hosted a variety of racing events since its inaugural season of racing in 1969; primarily races sanctioned by NASCAR. The track has been owned by NASCAR since 2019 with Brian Crichton serving as the track's president. Talladega Superspeedway is served by Interstate 20.
The track has a capacity of 80,000 as of 2022,
After a proposal in Spartanburg, South Carolina, fell through, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. opted to
Description[edit]
Configuration[edit]
The speedway in its current form is measured at 2.66 miles (4.28 km), 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.[1]
Amenities[edit]
Talladega Superspeedway is located near Interstate 20.[2] As of 2022, Talladega Superspeedway has a capacity of 80,000 according to the Sports Business Journal.[3] At its peak,
Track history[edit]
Planning and construction[edit]
Failed Spartanburg proposal (to do)[edit]
Sometime in the early 1960s, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. made initial plans to construct a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) superspeedway in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with the help of Spartanburg native Joe Littlejohn.[4] In October 1963, designs for the Spartanburg track were drawn up by C. H. Moneypenny, with it planned to be built near the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport.[5] An official announcement was made on February 18, 1964, with stated hopes of building 50,000 seats and a budget of "near a million dollars";[6] it was also touted as a "little Daytona". However, while France Sr. later stated that plans were "far away from building" in March, local residents near the airport immediately raised opposition towards the proposal in the Spartanburg City Council; particularly due to concerns of increased noise.[7]
Anniston Air Force Base proposal[edit]
At the beginning of 1966, The Anniston Star reported that France Sr. was negotiating to build a $1.5 million (adjusted for inflation, $14,086,154) facility in Eastaboga, Alabama, near the Talladega Municipal Airport. However, according to France Sr., local Alabama tax laws and the cost of surrounding land were deterrents to the track's construction.[8] By February, France Sr. had reportedly began negotiations in Gadsden.[9] However, in the next several months, France Sr. and city of Talladega officials resumed negotiations for the Eastaboga proposal. In August, the Alabama Senate passed a measure to allow Talladega and its nearby cities to finance the track with their own credit.[10] The measure was signed by governor George Wallace soon after; by this point, Talladega Industrial Development Board chairman O. V. Hill stated that the budget for the project had rose to $6 million (adjusted for inflation, $56,344,615), and planned to host a capacity from 40 to 50 thousand seats.[11] Leaders of the now-proposed 2.5 miles (4.0 km) track also hoped to raise $3 million and acquire approximately 1,500 acres of land to kickstart the project.[12] By the end of the year, leaders awaited a verdict from the Union Oil Company on whether they would invest $3.5 million for the project.[13][14]
France Sr. later stated hopes of starting construction in the summer of 1967 and to open the track sometime in 1969.[15] A finalized plan of the project was reported in April 1967, which according to France Sr. was "economically justified".[16] In June, France Sr. stated in The Anniston Star that the "bond market just isn't what it should be at the present"; however, speculated rumors of Pure Oil, a subsidiary of Union Oil, investing the entire amount needed to finance the project were also being made, with a feasibility report stating that the project was "highly favorable".[17] By the next month, a party associated with France and Pure Oil were reported to have invested two-thirds of the financing needed for its construction,[18] along with the city of Talladega offering 650 acres.[19] At the beginning of 1968, France Sr. announced that the track would be longer than the France Sr.-owned Daytona International Speedway by "400 [to] 600 feet". In the same announcement, he also stated that he aimed to start construction in a couple of months and that the project was "90 percent assured".[20] On March 14, Talladega County officials announced that they hoped for a final verdict on access road financing in order to finally approve the project;[21][22] however, a sale of $2 million to First Alabama Securities relating to industrial bonds failed to go through.[23] Despite this, France Sr. and Hill did not consider the lack of funds to be a major problem, and instead were so confident that they thought that the purchase would nevertheless be secured within the next month.[23][24][25] By April, the city of Talladega gave France Sr. 2,000 acres at the site of the former Anniston Air Force Base.[26]
On May 16, 1968, France Sr. officially announced the construction of the project along with a new airport runway near the track, which came at a final projected cost of $5 million and an opening date in September 1969.[27] Groundbreaking occurred seven days later, with the facility officially being named the Alabama International Motor Speedway (AIMS). At the groundbreaking ceremony, France Sr. stated plans to host NASCAR, sports car, and motorcycle events at the facility. France Sr.'s son, Bill France Jr., was placed in charge of AIMS.[28] During construction, the track was advertised to have bankings steeper than Daytona International Speedway and potential average speeds over 200 miles per hour (320 km/h).[29] By October, work began on constructing grandstands, which involved bulldozing part of the Talladega Mountains.[30] In April 1969, a 4 miles (6.4 km) "roval" road course was announced by France Sr.[31]
Chaotic first years[edit]
1969 Talladega 500[edit]
A date to christen AIMS was scheduled for September 14, 1969, for the 1969 Talladega 500.[32] The first tire tests for the facility were ran in early August,
Injury and chaos-riddled period, alleged Talladega Curse[edit]
(something, something, something)[edit]
Events[edit]
Racing[edit]
NASCAR[edit]
Since the track's inaugural season of racing in 1969, the facility has held two annual NASCAR Cup Series weekends per year for most of its history: the spring GEICO 500 and the fall YellaWood 500. The former,
IMSA SportsCar Championship[edit]
In popular culture[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Talladega Superspeedway". ESPN. February 27, 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Whitaker, Carla (April 20, 1997). "Talladega Superspeedway is just one of the attractions found around the oval". The Dothan Eagle. pp. 1E. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Stern, Adam (April 25, 2022). "Talladega sees strong crowd for NASCAR Cup". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Howell, David (May 19, 1974). "The Speedway That Wasn't". The Greenville News. pp. 9C. Retrieved February 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Winston, Chris (April 16, 1998). "A dream rooted in dirt Joe Littlejohn built Spartanburg into the heart of stock car racing "Back in those days, Spartanburg was the real capital of racing."". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "New Speedway Proposed For Spartanburg Area". The Greenville News. Associated Press. February 19, 1964. p. 16. Retrieved April 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Clayton, Jack (March 5, 1964). "Speedway Spasm". The Columbia Record. pp. 3D. Retrieved April 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Track Hopes Appear Dead At Eastaboga". The Anniston Star. January 4, 1966. p. 7. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (February 2, 1966). "Gadsden and NASCAR". The Anniston Star. pp. 9A. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Ingram, Bob; Mackin, Tom (August 25, 1966). "Legislature Expects To Adjourn September 2". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 3. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (September 4, 1966). "$6 Million Raceway Reported In Offing For Anniston Area". The Anniston Star. pp. 1A, 8A. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Plott, Bill (October 18, 1966). "France Outlines Speedway Plans". The Anniston Star. p. 3. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Raceway Due Fund Answer". The Anniston Star. December 28, 1966. pp. 1A, 5A. Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (January 8, 1967). "Speedway Waiting For A Green Light". The Anniston Star. pp. 1B. Retrieved August 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (March 9, 1967). "France Moving On Local Speedway". The Anniston Star. pp. 1C. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Harwell, Hoyt (April 12, 1967). "Talladega May Get Race Track". Birmingham Post-Herald. Associated Press. p. 19. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (June 18, 1967). "1967 Date Still Eyed". The Anniston Star. pp. 1C. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Weaver, Kendal (July 12, 1967). "New Speedway May Soon Be A Reality". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. 14. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (July 19, 1967). "Speedway Project 'Alive'". The Anniston Star. pp. 4B. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Mitchell, Billy (January 19, 1968). "France Says Construction Nearing". The Anniston Star. p. 10. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (March 14, 1968). "Speedway Word Expected Today". The Anniston Star. pp. 8B, 9B. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Talladega Track Access Road OK'd". Birmingham Post-Herald. United Press International. March 14, 1968. p. 51. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ a b Smith, George (March 15, 1968). "Track Money Hangs, France Sticks With 1969 Opening". The Anniston Star. p. 10. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (March 16, 1968). "Speedway Plans Continue". The Anniston Star. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (March 17, 1968). "Marrying Time". The Anniston Star. pp. 14A. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (April 3, 1968). "Speedway Building Near". The Anniston Star. pp. 1A, 8A. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (May 16, 1968). "France Inks Speedway Contract". The Anniston Star. pp. 2B. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Mitchell, Billy (May 24, 1968). "A Dream Becomes A Reality". The Anniston Star. pp. 9, 11. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Talladega Track Open in September". Montgomery Advertiser. November 22, 1968. p. 21. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Work Goes Ahead On Speedway". Birmingham Post-Herald. October 31, 1968. p. 41. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (April 3, 1969). "What About The Charger?". The Anniston Star. pp. 2B. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Smith, George (December 18, 1968). "This 'N That". The Anniston Star. pp. 1C. Retrieved May 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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