Talladega Super Speedway News
Talladega Super Speedway Races |
Winner |
| Race 9, 07 |
|
Jeff Gordon |
| Race 30, 06 |
UAW-Ford 500 |
Brian Vickers |
| Race 9, 06 |
|
Jimmie Johnson |
| Race 29, 05 |
|
Dale Jarrett |
| Race 9, 05 |
|
Jeff Gordon |
May 16, 2006:
Online Voting Begins For 2006 Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame Inductees: Online fan voting began April 3 for this year's Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame honorees, and on Saturday, Oct. 7, two new names will be added to this prestigious list. The Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame in downtown Talladega is both a focal point saluting NASCAR's greatest names and a tribute to one of racing's brightest stars - the late Davey Allison. Developed in 1994, the Talladega-Texaco Walk of Fame has inducted one active driver and up to two inactive drivers since 1995 based on the fans' vote chosen from a ballot of nominees selected by strict guidelines. Fans may vote for their driver of choice through July 15 by visiting www.talladegawalk.com. Voting is limited to one vote per day. Active driver nominees for 2006 include: Michael Waltrip, Jeff Burton, Morgan Shepherd, Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon, Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, Jeremy Mayfield, Joe Nemechek, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler, Ken Schrader, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart. Inactive driver nominees for 2006 include: Rusty Wallace, Jim Paschal, Bill Rexford, Jack Smith, Rex White and Speedy Thompson. On Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005, Kevin Harvick and Herb Thomas became the most recent drivers to be enshrined. For additional information, visit www.talladegawalk.com.(TSS PR)(5-26-2006)
May 3, 2006:
Talladega Superspeedway's Repaving Project Begins: Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch uses a trackhoe excavator to dig into the existing asphalt on the track that must be removed before it is resurfaced this summer. It has been 26 years since the 2.66 mile track was paved, and the ambitious undertaking officially began today. The project is scheduled to be completed by the track's fall UAW-Ford 500 event weekend, set for Oct. 6 - 8. Tickets are available now by calling 1-877-Go2-DEGA (1-877-462-3342); for our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). You may also purchase tickets online at www.racetickets.com or in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CDT, Monday - Friday. - (Talladega Superspeedway PR)
April 30, 2006:
West Virginian mine survivor guest at today's race: Randal McCloy Jr., the lone surviving miner from the accident at the Sago mine in West Virginia, is at Talladega this weekend for his first NASCAR race. McCloy was released from the hospital late last month, and he and seven members of his family are guests of Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership President Ken Butler. "Aaron's is honored to have Randy and his family as our special guests," Butler said. "They are wonderful people who obviously have been through a lot, and they seem so thrilled to be here for their first NASCAR event." Butler extended the invitation to McCloy and his family last month when he learned they were NASCAR fans. (Times-Dispatch)
April 29, 2006:
Talladega Nights merchandise on sale now: NASCAR and Sony Pictures will begin selling merchandise this week online and at-track for one of the most anticipated comedies of the year – “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.” While “Talladega Nights”, starring television and movie star Will Ferrell, hits theatres August 4, merchandise for the movie goes on sale this Thursday. In addition to being available online at NASCAR.com, NASCAR-licensed film merchandise will be available at track for the first time at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. Ferrell, who will be playing NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby, will be the grand marshal for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499. Close to 10 different licensees will be selling movie merchandise either on NASCAR.com and/or in a “Talladega Nights”-specific hauler, with Motorsports Authentics, J.H. Design Group, Checkered Flag Sports and Gametime LLC leading the way with several different lines of shirts, jackets, watches and more. As part of this weekend’s merchandise launch, Motorsports Authentics will be running a promotion awarding fans with an opportunity to meet Ferrell and get their movie merchandise signed by the former “Saturday Night Live” star turned mega-movie star and NASCAR fan. All fans purchasing movie merchandise at-track between Thursday and Saturday at 1 p.m. will be entered into a drawing that will ultimately reward 50 lucky fans with a Sunday autograph session with Ferrell. (NASCAR PR)
April 25, 2006:
NASCAR fans killed at Talladega: Two NASCAR fans died in a campground outside Talladega Superspeedway when a flagpole they were erecting touched power lines, electrocuting them. Donny Lynn Wright, 42, of Remlap and Keith Alan Stell, 39, of Birmingham were killed around lunchtime Monday, said track spokeswoman Kristi King. Talladega County Coroner Jerry Castleberry pronounced both men dead at the scene. The Aaron's 499 race will be run at the track on Sunday. Fans commonly use poles to fly flags touting their favorite driver. Witnesses said Wright and Stell were attempting to anchor a flagpole when it was caught by wind and pushed into power lines running along a road outside the track. "They were trying to pull the flagpole back off the lines," said James Snider of Bessemer, who was sitting about 30 yards away from the victims' camp site. "I heard a loud pop that sounded like a fire cracker, and I went running because the power lines fell. They were both lying on the ground, and two women were trying to get to them to get them away from the wires." (FOX News)
April 11, 2006:
Talladega schedule change: Talladega Superspeedway officials issued a scheduling reminder today to race fans planning on attending the upcoming Aaron’s Dream Weekend here April 28-30. Guests should make note of the following information: * Grandstands and Day Parking lots will not be open on Thursday, April 27. (Members of the media covering the weekend’s events will be admitted into the facility.) * The Infield will open at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 27. * Day Parking lots open Friday, April 28 at 7 a.m., then at 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30. * Grandstands will open at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 28, then 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30. The scheduling changes have been made to better accommodate the new 3-day race weekend format this season at Talladega Superspeedway. Another result of the new format is that two-day tickets to NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track for Saturday & Sunday have become an even greater value. Two-day Talladega Tower seats offering a spectacular view of the start/finish line are $135 and Allison Grandstand Seats are only $60. (Talladega SuperSpeedway)
March 20, 2006:
Talladega RV overnight spots sold-out: All RV overnight parking spots have been sold, and only a limited amount of spots for automobiles/tents remain for the upcoming Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway April 28-30, Talladega Superspeedway officials announced today. The track’s hundreds of acres of reserved overnight parks outside the track are completely filled, and the only spots remaining in the 212-acre infield are within the Yellow and Blue Zones which are specifically designated for those planning to park overnight with automobiles and tents. Talladega Superspeedway welcomes fans back for another year of the most competitive racing on the NASCAR circuit! Get your tickets now for Aaron’s Dream Weekend, set for April 28 – 30, 2006. To order tickets, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA (1-877-462-3342). For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). Tickets also are available online at www.racetickets.com, or in person by visiting the Talladega Superspeedway Ticket Office from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CDT, Monday - Friday. (Talladega SuperSpeedway PR)
Dec..15, 2005:
Talladega to be repaved: Talladega Superspeedway officials announced today that the legendary Alabama racetrack is set to be repaved for the first time since 1979, and the project is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2006 UAW-Ford 500, race four in next year’s Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. The project will include complete asphalt repaving of the 2.66-mile tri-oval track, apron and pit road. A portable asphalt plant will be mobilized to the site in December of this year, and on-site work will begin in February, when trial batches of the asphalt pavement will be produced and asphalt test strips will be constructed on superspeedway property. Engineers are expected to begin formulation of asphalt mix designs and designing the required equipment modifications in December. The repaving project will begin immediately following the April 28-30, 2006 Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega. “Twenty-six years has certainly been a long time to go without necessitating a project this extensive, so there is no question that the time has come for us to repave. It will ensure that Talladega Superspeedway continues to uphold its reputation for the most exciting, most competitive racing throughout the entire NASCAR circuit for years to come,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch. “If our track history is any indication, it will increase the level of competitiveness. The first race held here after our last repaving project was one of the most exciting on the record books.” This will be the fourth paving project for Talladega Superspeedway, with the first being the actual construction of the track for its opening in September 1969, which was followed by a repaving project completed in time for the 1970 season. The third and most recent paving was completed at the conclusion of the 1979 racing season. When drivers tested and practiced on the new surface prior to the May 4, 1980 race, they gave it rave reviews - - pointing out how the new, smooth surface greatly enhanced drafting and overall handling ability. The result was one of the most exciting races and dramatic finishes yet at the still-young superspeedway. A dozen drivers swapped the lead 40 times, and Buddy Baker took his fourth Talladega Superspeedway victory in that event, winning by just three feet after crossing the line side-by-side with Dale Earnhardt. (Talladega Superspeedway PR)
Sep. 28, 2005:
Birmingham International Becomes Official Airport of Talladega Superspeedway: Talladega Superspeedway announced today that Birmingham International Airport (BHM) is now the Official Airport of Talladega Superspeedway. Birmingham International Airport is the state's largest airport serving the Greater Birmingham area and surrounding southeastern cities. Birmingham International Airport presently ranks in the country's top 75 airports in terms of passengers served annually, and is expected to serve more than 3 million travelers this year. "We are very happy to announce Birmingham International Airport as an official status partner and look forward to the opportunities this new relationship will provide in reaching both new and existing race fans," Talladega Superspeedway Vice President and General Manager Rick Humphrey said. Birmingham Airport Authority Executive Director Al Denson said he is excited about the airport's role in meeting the needs of racing enthusiasts traveling into Alabama for race weekends. "We are proud to serve as a sponsor and official Airport of Talladega Superspeedway and look forward to welcoming race fans from across the country to Central Alabama," Denson said. Fans in attendance for UAW-Ford 500 Event Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 will notice Birmingham International Airport's increased profile while at the facility. (Talladega Superspeedway PR)
Sep. 7, 2005
Talladega to donate $100,000 in relief: Grant Lynch, president of the Talladega Superspeedway, announced on Tuesday that they would donate $100,000 Talladega County chapter of the American Red Cross to further aid Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, the Associated Press reported. "It has been very difficult for people to adequately describe the devastation caused by this storm to the people of this region," Mr. Lynch said. "It has left thousands of people - our neighbors - without the most basic of human needs like water, food and shelter and we just want to do what we can to help ease their burden. International Speedway Corporation is making a large effort to contribute, but we wanted to do something in addition to that. We'll continue to look at ways we may be able to help, and we encourage others to do the same," Lynch noted. Lynch also announced that Talladega's parent company, International Speedway Corporation, will provide over $1 million in funding and services for company relief efforts. (Ledger)
Sep. 2, 2005
Talladega leads effort at ISC tracks for Hurricane Katrina: Led by a call to action to all International Speedway Corporation sister tracks by Talladega Superspeedway, millions of residents affected by the rampage of Hurricane Katrina in its home state of Alabama, as well nearby Mississippi and Louisiana will benefit from a company-wide hurricane relief program announced today by TSS President Grant Lynch. "Many of our race fans in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana were affected by the horrible devastation of Hurricane Katrina," said Lynch, who also serves as a Vice President at ISC. "Talladega Superspeedway, as well as other International Speedway Corporation facilities across the nation are committed to helping get residents affected by the storm back on their feet." Beginning at Richmond International Raceway and its Chevy Rock & Roll 400 weekend (Sept. 8-10), ISC-owned tracks will begin facilitating the collection of monetary donations from race fans to the Red Cross in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Other ISC event weekends where fans can donate to the relief fund include:
• Talladedga Superspeedway: Oct. 1st weekend
• Kansas Speedway: Oct. 7th weekend
• Martinsville Speedway: Oct. 21st weekend
• Phoenix: Nov. 11th weekend
• Homestead-Miami: Nov. 18th weekend
Race fans not attending any of these events may still support Talladega Superspeedway's call to action by contacting your local Red Cross office and designating donations "Talladega Superspeedway" in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. ISC's corporate office located in Daytona Beach, Fla., has committed $1 million in funding and services to jump start the initiative. Funding and services include monetary donations and clothing from ISC's merchandising subsidiary Americrown. In addition to supporting Talladega's call for contributions, ISC facilities are working with local Red Cross officials to identify other means of support for Katrina Hurricane relief efforts. Michigan International Speedway President Brett Shelton, who has lived in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, has been tapped to lead the company-wide effort. (ISC PR)
Aug 31, 2005
Talladega suffer minimal Hurricanes Damage: Talladega Superspeedway successfully weathered the high winds and torrential rain spinning out from Hurricane Katrina as outer bands of the storm made their way through Central Alabama Monday afternoon and Tuesday, track officials announced today. "We are very saddened to hear the continued reports of devastation across the Gulf Coast and throughout the Southeastern states that has been caused by this storm," said Talladega Superspeedway Vice President and General Manager Rick Humphrey. "We've received numerous calls inquiring about our personal welfare and the status of the facility, and we are relieved to report that all of our employees and the facility itself are okay. Our neighbors in surrounding areas who were not as fortunate certainly are in our thoughts right now." The track's staff continues to make preparations for the UAW-Ford 500 Event Weekend Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, which is now less than five weeks away. Tickets are available by calling 1-877- Go2-DEGA, Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CDT, or by visiting us online at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com. For our hearing impaired guests, please call TDD 1-866-ISC-TRAK (1-866-472-8725). You may also purchase tickets in person at Talladega Superspeedway's Ticket Office 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CDT, Monday - Friday. (Talladega Superspeedway PR)
July 26, 2005
Talladega announcement, Trucks coming to 'Dega: Talladega Superspeedway Vice President and General Manager Rick Humphrey announced today that in 2006, the 2.66-mile Alabama racetrack will welcome the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the first time in history! The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 during the 2006 UAW-Ford 500 event weekend set for Oct. 5 – 8. “We cannot wait to welcome the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next fall,” Humphrey said. “You really have to witness these trucks race to understand how exciting it is. If you didn’t think it was possible for us to top the level of competition and edge-of-your-seat racing we offer here at Talladega Superspeedway – make plans to be here for this truck race next year. Our fans are going to love it.” The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series officially began competition in 1995, and has seen attendance figures grow from 400,000 to 1.1 million annually in that time period. Now in its 11th season, the series is celebrating its decade-old status with the theme “Ten Years Tough.” (Talladega SuperSpedeway PR)
July 21, 2005
Talladega Major Announcement: From published internet reports have a huge announcement, the biggest in the Super Speedways history. Announcement will be held at Talladega Superspeedway on Tuesday, July 26 at 11:00am/local.
May 2, 2005
Talladega Night Racing in 2007? Talladega Superspeedway will become the 11th NASCAR race track to get lights and'Dega fans could see their first night race as early as the fall race of 2007, Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch said Sunday. While repaving the track is in the works now, the installation of lights will begin once that project is finished, Lynch said. Daytona, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Bristol, Texas, Phoenix and Richmond have conducted Nextel Cup events under the lights. Darlington and Homestead have also added lights. Darlington will run its first night race on May 7 and the Nov. 20 event at Homestead - the final Nextel race of the 2005 season - will begin in the afternoon and finish under the lights. (Alabama Live)
April 30, 2005
Talladega AM Storms: Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch said he is happy to report that there were no weather-related injuries to Talladega Superspeedway's thousands of race fans during the severe storms that cut through East Central Alabama early this morning. The worst portions of a system producing torrential rain and high winds moved through the area at approximately 5:30 a.m. "We are very happy and relieved to report that everyone seems to have weathered the storm successfully and we have no injuries to report," Lynch said. "We were very fortunate that we seemed to miss the worst of the storm line as it moved through. Storms can be especially volatile in this area, and we thank our fans for heeding our warning and taking precautions to protect themselves." (Talladega PR)
