With the outpouring of positive comments from fans and drivers concerning the exciting competition of the new Generation 6 car, anticipation is at an all-time high for a return to NASCAR’s most competitive track – Talladega Superspeedway – for the May 5th Aaron’s 499.
And why not! Talladega leads the way in NASCAR in a number of categories with a host of records that puts the facility in a league of its own, where racing three and four wide on the high banks are the norm. The excitement surrounding the new Generation 6 car should be icing on the cake for the unpredictable 2.66-mile layout.
“Talladega is fun,” said Kyle Busch, NASCAR’s most recent winner as well as the 2008 Aaron’s 499 victor. “It certainly has its own aspect of challenges. I’m sure many drivers have led into the reasons of those, just with all the unknowns surrounding the place, but it’s exciting. It’s certainly its own form of racing and it’s almost its own form of motorsports. It’s Talladega and you never know what to expect.”
Some of the categories where Talladega separates itself from other venues include:
- Most Lead Changes – 88, twice (TSS leads category in eight of the top 10 in history)
- Most Leaders – 29 (TSS leads category in nine of the top 10 in history)
- Closest Finish – 0.002 seconds (Tied with Darlington for closest ever)
- NASCAR’s steepest (33 degrees) and biggest (2.66-miles) track
“You white-knuckle it, hold on tight,” says Jeff Gordon, a six-time winner at Talladega, including four in the Aaron’s 499. “If I am a fan, it is incredibly intense. It’s wide. It’s crazy. You’re going to see it. I mean, that literally is bumper cars at almost 200 mph.
“If I am a race fan, I want to see two and three-wide racing all day long, passing back and forth. I want to see guys shoving one another. Guys are going to be aggressive (at the end). They (fans) should be lined up out to the highway (to get into a race at Talladega Superspeedway).”
Joey Logano, who has been in contention to win this year on several occasions, is still chasing his first win at Talladega and knows the track’s Victory Lane is hallowed ground.
“I haven’t seen one predictable (race) at Talladega yet,” said Logano, whose best finish at TSS is third in the 2009 Aaron’s 499. “You like to think it’s predictable and you like to think you have a game plan – the game plan did come through that time, so that’s exciting. Crazy race.”
Maybe Carl Edwards, still chasing his first triumph at Talladega, puts it best: “I know what it is like for a fan to watch a race at Talladega. It is just spectacular.” And, it will be in May with Talladega’s debut of the Generation 6 car.
The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway May 3-5 for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend. Experience the excitement as the superstars of NASCAR attempt to tackle the high-banks of ‘DEGA at 200 mph. Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA. This is more than a race…This is Talladega!