Talladega Superspeedway Opening

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The journey to Talladega started when Bill France Sr. scouted sites after local opposition killed a plan for a superspeedway near Spartanburg, South Carolina. By early 1965, former driver Fonty Flock convinced France to look at the Anniston, Alabama area. Negotiations eventually focused on Eastaboga and the site of the former Anniston Air Force Base. In April 1968, Talladega officials granted France Sr. 2,000 acres for the project. By May 16, 1968, construction was officially announced with a projected cost of $5 million and an opening target of September 1969. The groundbreaking occurred seven days later. During construction, work involved bulldozing part of the Talladega Mountains to build grandstands. Tragically, in August 1969, W. L. Harry became the only fatality on the site when a crane crushed his skull.

In Their Own Story

Leading up to the inaugural race, testing revealed significant surface issues. In early August 1969, drivers LeeRoy Yarbrough and Donnie Allison ran the first tire tests, claiming unofficial world closed-circuit speed records but complaining of "rough places." Later that month, Bobby Allison tested a newly unveiled Dodge Charger Daytona, reporting "great big holes" in the surface. France Sr. admitted Hurricane Camille had caused three holes but claimed they were filled before testing resumed. Despite these concerns, ticket sales surged by July 1969, with over 100 sold daily and assurances that 100,000 spectators would attend. The track was advertised to have banking steeper than Daytona, setting the stage for a chaotic debut at the Alabama International Motor Speedway.

Reader's Guide

Visitors today see a facility that has evolved from its 1969 origins as AIMS into the current Talladega Superspeedway. The grandstand capacity stands at 80,000 as of 2022, down from 143,000 in 2003. The complex includes a 4.000-mile roval-style road course announced by France Sr. in April 1969. Located near Interstate 20, the track covers approximately 3,000 acres, making it the largest on the NASCAR schedule. The infield hosts around 2,700 RV spots and is known for a rowdy party scene that officials have attempted to moderate since the 1980s by adding makeshift jails. Owned by NASCAR and led by track president Josh Harris, the venue remains defined by its high speeds and pack racing history.

Did You Know?

• The only construction fatality occurred on August 27, 1968, when W. L. Harry was killed by a crane.
• Bill France Sr. admitted that Hurricane Camille created three holes in the track surface before the inaugural race.
• Talladega's start-finish line is located approximately 0.40 km away from the track's center point, unlike Daytona.
• The facility was originally planned to be built near Spartanburg, South Carolina, but local opposition rejected the proposal.
• By July 1969, daily ticket sales averaged over 100 as organizers assured an attendance of 100,000 for the first race.