Talladega Superspeedway is not just one of the best places in the world to watch NASCAR – you can get behind the wheel too on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
(Photo: Adrenaline.com)
Talladega, Alabama, will always be associated with NASCAR. The Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66-mile oval located in Lincoln, Alabama, (located in Talledega County, north of the city of Talledega) has a long history of NASCAR. The circuit is NASCAR’s biggest and fastest race track and famously the setting for the Will Ferrell comedy Talladega Nights. For anyone unfamiliar with NASCAR, short for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, this is quite simply one of the most exciting forms of motorsport on the planet. NASCAR is flat out racing on oval circuits, the cars hitting almost 200mph, door handle to door handle, all while you eat a hotdog and drink a cola a few metres away. But you don’t always have to be just watching the action. There are plenty of experiences that offer the chance to get inside a NASCAR and at the centre of the action. Here are some of the best in Talladega, AL.
NASCAR Drive, 8 Minute Time Trial, Talladega Superspeedway
This is the real deal – an eight minute time trial at the wheel of a real NASCAR at the Talladega Superspeedway. The experience begins with a safety briefing and a professional is on hand to explain the techniques of braking, steering and gear changes, all designed to give you the ultimate car control. You don’t need any prior experience of driving a racing car to do this experience, drivers just need to be over 16 years of age and hold a drivers licence. At the end you’ll also receive a souvenir racing license to hang on the wall. This a true bucketlist experience. From $ 659.
Book at Adrenaline.com
NASCAR Ride, 3 Laps, Talladega Superspeedway
(Photo: Adrrenaline.com)
If you’d rather sit back and let the professionals show you how its done this is completely different – but arguably even more thrilling – introduction to NASCAR. After a safety briefing you are strapped into a five-point harness and a pro racing driver takes you for three hot laps of the Talladega Superspeedway, one of NASCAR’s most challenging race tracks. The cars are the real competition vehicles that are driven by the world’s best NASCAR drivers too. The minimum age for this experience is 14 years old but you need to be over 5ft tall. From $ 209.
Book at Adrenaline.com
Talladega Superspeedway. Track time: 24 minutes.
For anyone who wants to get behind the wheel of a NASCAR for more than just a couple of laps, there are plenty of options for longer drives. The most popular at the 2.66 miles long Talladega Superspeedway, which features 33 degrees banking in the turns, is the 24-minute long drive. This experience is broken up into three eight-minute track sessions. Inbetween the sessions you’ll get a brief pit stop before heading back onto the track to work on driving quicker. Passing is even allowed if there are slower cars in front of you. From $1199.99 plus Driver’s Fee of $44.99.
Book at Nascarracingexperience.com