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May 22, 2005

Talladega Motor Speedway

 

Talladega Motor Speedway and Racing Museum is one of about 20 NASCAR racetracks, primarily located in the southern states.  The track is used only twice a year (spring and fall) for 2 days each.  In typical American style it’s almost bigger than life, seating 143,000 people on raceday, plus space for 2000 RV’s on the infield.  The overall area is 2400 acres, with camp grounds and parking lots for all the fans.  Average ticket price for 2 days is about $150.  If you do the math you’ll realize the gross for one weekend is a little higher that My Office / Your Office grossedVictory Lane in its first ten years.  Maybe the new owners at the store, Margaret and Mike Corbett, can work smarter than I did and get close. 

 

It is the only NASCAR racetrack to have recorded speeds over 200 miles per hour for the entire 500 mile race by all competitors (slowest 202, fastest 212±).  The race typically

begins with 3 columns of cars, 15 rows deep (45 cars) 12” apart at 200+ mph.  A typical lap takes 46 or 47 seconds for the 2.66 mile oval track.

 

SpeedwayAs we took the tour, our guide pointed out that the corners are banked at 30°’s and it is necessary to drive at speeds above 100 mph is order to stay up on these banks. A few weekends ago was the spring race and there was a 16 car pile-up on Saturday and a 26 car mess on Sunday during the Busch series event.  On every radio and television station we listened to, there were reports about NASCAR, in the same way there is NHL hockey news (some years I mean), in southern Ontario.

 

The granddaddy of NASCAR is the Daytona 500 in Florida.  Just once, one day Bernie and I will be there on raceday at one of the tracks.  It’s an awesome place even on just the tour.    If you’re ever in the area it’s well worth your time to visit.

 

 

 

Posted by Ross at May 22, 2005 02:47 PM

Comments

Ross;

The culture of NASCAR is very powerful in the American Empire - as evidenced in last year's election campaign.

Thanks for the note.
Peace,
Allan Baker

Posted by: Allan Baker at May 22, 2005 09:43 PM

Hey y'all-
Sounds like you're having a great trip! It's the holiday weekend here and the weatherman is messing with us, as usual, but we're making the best of it with losts of "family stuff" with the girls.
Please note the change of e-mail address. Do you have an e-mail address for general correspondence?
Look forward to seeing you when you get back.
J & P

Posted by: Paul & Joanne at May 23, 2005 06:50 AM

Hi Ross,

I am enjoying your journals. They are informative and a wonderful way to see the country. What a great way to share your adventures with the rest of us poor folks that have to work for a living!!!

I really enjoyed the one from the Carolina's, a place I have been planning to go.

I can't wait to see where you are taking us next!

Enjoy

Marty Britton

Posted by: Marty Britton at May 23, 2005 09:05 AM