wiki143 - User contributions [en]

Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport

2025-06-30T13:48:41Z

12.182.13.130: /* Concourses */

{{Short description|Airport in Birmingham, Alabama, United States}}
{{About|the airport in the U.S. state of Alabama|the airport in England, United Kingdom|Birmingham Airport}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport
| image = Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport logo.svg
| image-width = 150
| image2 = Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.jpg
| caption2 = [[National Agriculture Imagery Program|NAIP]] aerial image from June 2006
| IATA = BHM
| ICAO = KBHM
| FAA = BHM
| WMO = 72228
| type = Public
| owner = City of Birmingham
| operator = Birmingham Airport Authority
| city-served = [[Birmingham, Alabama]]
| location = [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]], [[Alabama]]
| opened = {{start date and age|1931|05|31}}
| hub = [[AirMed International]]
| focus_city =
| elevation-f = 650
| website = {{URL|www.flybirmingham.com}}
| coordinates = {{coord|33|33|50|N|086|45|08|W|region:US-AL_scale:40000|display=inline,title}}
| image_map = BHM_FAA_Diagram.pdf
| image_mapsize = 275
| image_map_caption = FAA airport diagram as of January 2021
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 9
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| r1-number = 6/24
| r1-length-f = 12,007
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r2-number = 18/36
| r2-length-f = 7,099
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = 2024
| stat1-header = Aircraft operations
| stat1-data = 99,769
| stat2-header = Based aircraft
| stat2-data = 230
| stat3-header = Passengers
| stat3-data = 3,243,023
| stat4-header = Enplanements
| stat4-data = 1,617,092
| stat5-header = Freight (metric tons)
| stat5-data = 25,446
| footnotes = Sources: [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=BHM|use=PU|own=PU|website=00164.*A}} Effective April 17, 2025. Federal Aviation Administration.</ref> Birmingham Airport Authority<ref name="BAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.flybirmingham.com/statistical-report/|title=BHM Airport Statistical Data|website=flybirmingham.com|access-date=December 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>https://aspm.faa.gov/opsnet/sys/Airport.asp {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>
}}

'''Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport''' {{airport codes|BHM<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx | title = IATA Airport Code Search (BHM: Birmingham) | publisher = [[International Air Transport Association]] | access-date = August 13, 2013}}</ref>|KBHM|BHM}}, formerly '''Birmingham Municipal Airport''' and later '''Birmingham International Airport''', is a civil-military airport serving [[Birmingham, Alabama]]. The airport also provides scheduled airline service for the Birmingham and [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]] metropolitan areas. It is located in [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson County]], five miles northeast of Downtown Birmingham, near the interchange of [[Interstate 20|Interstates 20]] and [[Interstate 59|59]].

BHM served 3,243,023 passengers in 2024, and is the largest and busiest airport in the state of [[Alabama]] by passenger volume.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2008/01/birmingham_airport_set_annual.html | title = Birmingham International Airport sets passenger record for 2007 of 3.2 million | work = AL.com | publisher = Alabama Media Group}}</ref> The airfield can handle all aircraft types. The main runway is {{convert|12007|ft|m}} long.<ref>{{FAA-diagram|00050}}. [[Federal Aviation Administration]].</ref> The secondary runway is {{convert|7099|ft|m}} long. A Category{{nbsp}}II [[Instrument Landing System|ILS]] allows operations in visibility as low as a quarter-mile. The airport was renamed in July 2008 after Reverend [[Fred Shuttlesworth]], founding president of the [[Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights]] and a leader of the [[Birmingham campaign]] during the [[civil rights movement]].

The airport carries the designation of an international airport and has a staffed [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] facility on site. There have been scheduled seasonal international flights to the [[Bahamas]], [[Canada]], and [[Mexico]] in the past, but as of March 2020, there are no scheduled international flights. However, air ambulance operator [[AirMed International]] regularly operates to and from destinations throughout the world; corporate aircraft routinely depart and arrive from foreign destinations, as well. The [[Southern Museum of Flight]] currently operates on Airport Authority property, to the east side of the north–south runway. There are plans for it to relocate to a new site near the [[Barber Motorsports Park]].

==History==
Commercial air service to Birmingham began in 1928 by St. Tammy and Gulf Coast Airways, at Roberts Field on the west side of Birmingham on a route from Atlanta, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana.<ref>Dodd, Don "Birmingham Aviation: From Fairgrounds Air Shows to the Southern Museum of Flight", Alabama Review, January 2004.</ref> [[Delta Air Lines|Delta Air Service]] began service to Birmingham in late 1929 with six seat [[Travel Air]] airplanes along a route from [[Dallas Love Field|Love Field]] in Dallas, Texas to Birmingham.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1302|title=Delta Air Lines|encyclopedia=New Georgia Encyclopedia|access-date=April 8, 2008|archive-date=February 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201015142/http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-1302|url-status=dead}}</ref> When [[American Airlines|American Airways]] (now [[American Airlines]]) began their Atlanta, Georgia to Fort Worth, Texas route, Birmingham was not included because their [[Ford Tri-Motor]]s could not land at Roberts Field. Thus, Birmingham began construction of what is now Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |url=http://www.bhamintlairport.com/aboutbhm-anniversary.html | title = 75th Anniversary Timeline | publisher = Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928133912/http://www.bhamintlairport.com/aboutbhm-anniversary.html | archive-date = September 28, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

The airport opened on May 31, 1931 with a two-story, white, Georgian style terminal and a single east–west runway. The terminal was just east of the later 1962 and 1971 terminal complexes.<ref name="photo1951">{{Cite web|url=https://alabamamaps.ua.edu/aerials/Counties/Jefferson/Jefferson_Birmingham_International_Airport_1951.html|title=Birmingham International Airport 1951|website=alabamamaps.ua.edu}}</ref><ref name="photo1967">{{Cite web|url=https://alabamamaps.ua.edu/aerials/Counties/Jefferson/Jefferson_Birmingham_International_Airport_1967.html|title=Birmingham International Airport 1967|website=alabamamaps.ua.edu}}</ref> No remains of the 1931 terminal or landscaping are visible. With the addition of American Airlines in 1931 and [[Eastern Airlines]] in 1934, air traffic increased enough to warrant a second runway.<ref name="timeline"/>

[[World War II]] saw the airport leased to the [[United States Army Air Forces]] for $1 a year to support national defense. [[Birmingham Army Airfield]] was a section assigned to the [[Third Air Force]] as a fighter base, operated by the 310th Army Air Force Base Unit. The Army Air Forces considerably improved the airport with land acquisitions, paving of additional taxiways, and construction of a control tower and an aircraft modification center south of the terminal, now operated by Stewart Industries for aircraft disassembly and disposal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siiair.com/dismantling-eol.php |title=Stewart Industries | Aircraft Dismantling |publisher=Siiair.com |accessdate=2022-05-02}}</ref><ref name="timeline"/>

[[Image:BirminghamItlApt-9mar1951.jpg|thumb|Aerial photograph of Birmingham Airport, March 1951]]
Around the 1940s, Birmingham was considered as a potential air transportation hub for the [[Deep South]]. However, [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Eastern Air Lines]] and the [[United States Postal Service]] each opted to use [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] for this purpose instead. One factor was an aviation fuel tax imposed by the City of Birmingham in the 1940s; other factors included Birmingham's location in the [[Central Time Zone]], which placed it at a disadvantage in accommodating traffic between East Coast points, and a relatively strong sales and marketing campaign by Atlanta under Mayor [[William B. Hartsfield|William Hartsfield]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2003/04/28/story3.html|title=Did Delta hub propel Atlanta over Birmingham?|last=Nicholson|first=Gilbert|date=2003-04-27|website=The Business Journals|access-date=2019-06-07}}</ref>

After the airport returned to city control in August 1948 [[Southern Airways]] began service.<ref name="timeline" /> In March 1951 four runways were in use, Runways 5/23 (now 6/24) and 18/36, and runways at about 45/225 degrees north of Runway 5/23 and 85/265 degrees mostly south of Runway 5/23. Runway lengths were about {{convert|4000|ft|m}} to {{convert|5500|ft|m}}. The runway at 45/225 degrees is now largely removed, though a paved portion remains crossing taxiway F near the Alabama Air National Guard facilities, used for airport equipment and helicopter landing/parking. The runway at 85/265 is also mostly removed, with remaining segments making up taxiway A5 and a portion of taxiway F east of Runway 18/36.<ref name="photo1951" /><ref>Federal Aviation Administration Airport Diagram, Birmingham International (BHM), SE-4, June 5, 2008</ref>

By 1959, Runway 5/23 was {{convert|10000|ft|m}} and service was started to Birmingham by [[Capital Airlines (United States)|Capital Airlines]] with [[Vickers Viscount]]s. The first scheduled jets were Delta Convair 880s in October 1961, flying ATL-BHM-MSY-LAX and back. Birmingham then had nonstops to Newark and Washington, DC, but no other nonstops beyond Charlotte, Memphis and New Orleans, and no nonstops to Florida. In the late 1960s [[Douglas DC-8]], [[Douglas DC-9]], [[Convair 880]] and [[Boeing 727]]s were all scheduled to BHM.

During the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion, pilots and crews from the [[Alabama Air National Guard]]'s [[117th Air Refueling Wing|117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing]] at Birmingham were selected to train Cuban exile fliers in Nicaragua to fly the [[Douglas B-26 Invader]] in the close air support role. Although the 117th was flying the [[RF-84 Thunderflash|RF-84F Thunderflash]], it had only recently retired its RB-26C Invaders, the last squadron in the Air Force to do so; thus the 117th was seen as the logical choice for the CIA's secret mission. Seven of the volunteer aviators participated combat operations during the final day of the invasion, on August 19, 1961. Birmingham natives Leo Baker, Wade Gray, Riley Shamburger, and Thomas "Pete" Ray were killed when their (two) aircraft were shot down. While American involvement had been suspected since before the invasion even began, Ray's frozen body was kept as concrete proof of U.S. support.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/04/air-force-pilots-who-died-at-bay-of-pigs-remembered-042311w/ | title = 3 pilots who died in Bay of Pigs remembered | work = [[Air Force Times]] | date = April 23, 2011}}</ref>

[[Image:1962 Birmingham Air Terminal IMG 3089.JPG|thumb|left|The lobby of the 1962 Birmingham Air Terminal viewed from the front doors. The ticketing area is in the background and the stair led to the boarding area. The terminal was torn down to make way for the 2011 terminal expansion.]]Continued growth in passenger traffic by 1962 resulted in the construction of a second passenger terminal and a new air traffic control tower,<ref name="timeline"/> built west of the original 1931 terminal. This was dedicated on February 11, 1962 as the Birmingham Air Terminal. Charles H. McCauley Associates was the supervising architect and Radar & Associates was the designing architect.<ref>Birmingham Air Terminal dedication plaque; 1973 terminal 2nd Floor</ref> It consisted of a single story building of repeated bays with steeply pitched roofs, which flanked a wider, higher center bay at the south end of the building for ticketing. A long, flat roofed northern section comprised the ground-level aircraft gates.<ref name="photo1967"/><ref name="video">{{cite web |url=http://www.bhamintlairport.com/aboutbhm-anniversary.html | title = 75th Anniversary Video | publisher = Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928133912/http://www.bhamintlairport.com/aboutbhm-anniversary.html | archive-date = September 28, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The air traffic control tower, completed in 1962 and located immediately southwest of the terminal, was {{convert|87|ft|m}} tall. The 1962 control tower was demolished in 2004 after being replaced by the 2001 air traffic control tower.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/254494/birmingham-international-airport-control-tower-birmingham-al-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723011038/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/254494/birmingham-international-airport-control-tower-birmingham-al-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 23, 2016 |title=Birmingham International Airport Control Tower, Birmingham | 254494 |publisher=Emporis |accessdate=2022-05-02}}</ref> This terminal was demolished to make way for the 2011 terminal expansion; the 1962 terminal being located in the area now covered by the aircraft apron for Gate A1.

In 1973 a semi-circular terminal was completed west of the 1962 terminal and air traffic control tower. It had 15 aircraft gates and a 1,600 space parking deck. [[Allegheny Airlines]] (later [[US Airways]]) began service from Birmingham to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the late 1970s. Deregulation of the airline industry saw airlines such as [[Comair (USA)|Comair]], [[Florida Express]], [[People Express]], [[Air New Orleans]], [[L'Express Airlines]], and [[Southwest Airlines]] enter the Birmingham market.<ref name="timeline"/> The city unsuccessfully lobbied [[Piedmont Airlines (1948–89)|Piedmont Airlines]] to establish a Birmingham hub in the 1980s; [[American Airlines]] considered Birmingham as the site for a new north–south hub around the same time, but opted to establish hubs in [[Nashville International Airport|Nashville]] and [[Raleigh–Durham International Airport|Raleigh/Durham]] instead.<ref name=":0" />

The original 1931 terminal was finally demolished between 1970 and 1992.<ref>[http://cartweb.geography.ua.edu/lizardtech/iserv/calcrgn?cat=Special%20Topics&item=Aerials/Jefferson/Jefferson%20Birmingham%20International%20Airport%201970.jp2&wid=1000&hei=900&rops=item(Name,Description),cat(Name,Description)&style=default/view.xsl&plugin=true Aerial photo] geography.ua.edu</ref><ref>[http://cartweb.geography.ua.edu/lizardtech/iserv/calcrgn?cat=Special%20Topics&item=Aerials/Jefferson/Jefferson%20Woodlawn%201992.jp2&wid=1000&hei=900&rops=item(Name,Description),cat(Name,Description)&style=default/view.xsl&plugin=true Aerial photo] geography.ua.edu</ref> With the introduction of flights to Canada and Mexico, the official name of the airport was changed to Birmingham International Airport on October 20, 1993.<ref name="BHM History">{{cite web |url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/about-bhm/history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122075226/http://www.flybirmingham.com/about-bhm/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 22, 2016 |title=About BHM: History |publisher=Birmingham International Airport }}</ref> Also in 1993, the airport marked the completion of a $50.4m terminal renovation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/birminghamshuttleswo/ | title = Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport | publisher = Airport Technology}}</ref>

In the early 1990s Runway 18/36 was extended to 7,100 feet, allowing use by airline jets. By the early 2000s, Birmingham had completed improvements to the air cargo areas, including a new facility at the far west end of runway 6-24 which houses [[FedEx]] and [[United Parcel Service]]. A new FAA air traffic control tower located south of the terminal parking deck and measuring {{convert|198|ft|m|adj=on}} in height entered service in the summer of 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/125542/birmingham-international-airport-control-tower-birmingham-al-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219143548/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/125542/birmingham-international-airport-control-tower-birmingham-al-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |title=Birmingham International Airport Control Tower, Birmingham | 125542 |publisher=Emporis |accessdate=2022-05-02}}</ref> The 1962 blue and white air traffic control tower was demolished in 2004. In 2006 Birmingham International Airport celebrated its 75th year. In July 2007 an {{convert|2000|ft|m|adj=on}} eastward extension to Runway 6/24 was completed. Now {{convert|12007|ft|m}} in length, Runway 6/24 allows a fully loaded Boeing 747 to land or take off.<ref name="timeline"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/KBHM | title = Birmingham International Airport | work = FAA Information effective February 14, 2008 | publisher = AirNav}}</ref>

On June 23, 2008 Birmingham Mayor [[Larry Langford]] announced his proposal to rename the airport as the Fred L. Shuttlesworth International Airport, in honor of civil rights activist [[Fred Shuttlesworth]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6837113&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1 |title=Langford Looks to Rename Airport After Rev. Shuttlesworth |work=MyFox Birmingham }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> On July 16, 2008, Mayor Langford and the Birmingham Airport Authority voted to change the name of the airport from the Birmingham International Airport to the Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport after the former civil rights activist. The name change cost about $300,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6994798&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1 |title=Airport Authority Votes to Change Airport Name |work=MyFox Birmingham }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The FAA approved the name change and signage of the airport took place on April 3, 2009.

In 2011, The Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport broke ground on a comprehensive Terminal Modernization Project. This project was completed in phases over three years, retaining with extensive renovations the 1973 landside terminal, demolishing the 1962 terminal and 1973 airside concourses and gates (portions of the 1973 Concourse C structure were reused), and constructing all new airside facilities with 19 gates equipped with jetways. Completed in 2014, the completed provided a beautiful new terminal that nearly doubled the airport's footprint, but with minimal impact on the community and environment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Delta Airlines stored several of their widebody jets as well as many narrow body jets at BHM during the downturn in global travel demand.

==Facilities==
Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport covers 2,170 acres (878 [[hectare|ha]]) at an elevation of 650 feet (198 m) above [[mean sea level]]. It has two asphalt runways: 6/24 is 12,007 by 150 feet (3,660 x 46 m) and 18/36 is 7,099 by 150 feet (2,164 x 46 m).<ref name="FAA" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://skyvector.com/airport/BHM/Birmingham-Shuttlesworth-International-Airport|title=BHM airport data at skyvector.com|website=skyvector.com}} FAA data effective April 17, 2025.</ref>

[[Atlantic Aviation]] operates two [[general aviation]] [[fixed-base operator]] facilities, and there are numerous corporate hangars north of Runway 6/24 and east of Runway 18/36. [[AirMed International]], a fixed-wing air ambulance company, operates its main hub from here. There is a large, full service aircraft modification and maintenance facility on the south side of the airport. It was originally built during [[World War II]], but was subsequently expanded. While little work is now performed at the complex, the facility sits on approximately 180 acres of land and has 1.7 million square feet under its roof. It has 10 aircraft pull-through bays with space under the roof for 54 737-size aircraft.

In the year ending November 30, 2023, the airport had 98,681 aircraft operations, an average of 270 movements per day. Itinerant aircraft movements broke down as follows: 41% [[general aviation]], 35% [[airline|scheduled commercial]], 17% [[air taxi]], and 8% [[military aviation|military]]. A total of 230 aircraft were then based at this airport.<ref name="FAA" />

===Commercial aircraft===
[[Image:BHM dawn IMG 0603.JPG|thumb|Seven narrow body mainline airplanes start the day at Birmingham International Airport in May 2008.]]
In September 2020, typical commercial passenger traffic included [[Boeing 737]]s, [[Boeing 717]]s, [[Embraer 170]]s, [[Embraer ERJ family|Embraer 145s]], [[CRJ 900]]s, [[CRJ700]]s, [[CRJ550]]s, and [[CRJ 200]]s models on about 128 takeoffs or landings daily.<ref>{{cite web|title=Live Flight Tracker: Birmingham International Airport|url=https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KBHM/departures|access-date=July 10, 2020|publisher=Flight Aware}}</ref> Currently, Delta Airlines operates the Boeing 737 and 717 to BHM. Southwest utilizes Boeing 737s for all flights. United Express ([[GoJet Airlines]], [[Mesa Airlines]], [[SkyWest Airlines]], [[Republic Airways]]) operate the Embraer 170/175, Embraer 140/145, and the CRJ-550 for their flights. American Eagle ([[PSA Airlines]], [[Envoy Air]], [[Mesa Airlines]], and [[SkyWest Airlines]]) operate the [[ERJ 145|ERJ145]], [[ERJ-175|ERJ175]], and [[CRJ-700/-900|CRJ700/900]] family. Recently, American Airlines also offered service on the [[Airbus A320]] to their hub at [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]]. The [[Bombardier CRJ700|CRJ700/900 family]] was the most common regional aircraft, being used by American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express. The [[Bombardier CRJ200|Canadair Regional Jets]] and [[Embraer ERJ 145 family|ERJ 145]] shared the second spot for regional jets, being utilized by the airlines above as well as American Eagle. [[Southern Airways Express]] formerly operated on-demand charter flights to select cities on the [[Cessna 208 Caravan]] aircraft (which was the only scheduled passenger service to BHM on turbo-prop aircraft). [[Mountain Air Cargo]] also operates daily flights to Memphis using the [[ATR-72]] twin-turboprop aircraft on behalf of [[FedEx Express]]. [[FedEx Express|FedEx]] operates their [[Boeing 757-200]]; while [[UPS Airlines|UPS]] uses their [[Boeing 767-300F]] as well as the [[Airbus A300-600]]F, these are the only wide-body aircraft to routinely use the airport. Numerous other aircraft are used for frequent charter flights. Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport is also a primary diversion airport for [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport]] due to its 12,007 ft runway, which frequently brings brief but unique visitors.{{clear}}

===Military aircraft===
[[Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/1369874/a-return-to-sumpter-smith/ |title=A Return to Sumpter Smith > 117th Air Refueling Wing > Display |date=November 11, 2017 |publisher=117arw.ang.af.mil |accessdate=2022-05-02}}</ref> is located at the airport. It covers approximately 147 acres and essential facilities to support the mission of the [[117th Air Refueling Wing]] (117 ARW), an [[Alabama Air National Guard]] unit operationally gained by the [[Air Mobility Command]] (AMC), as well as its [[KC-135 Stratotanker]] aircraft.<ref>Globalsecurity.org</ref>

The 117 ARW occupies 101 facilities including offices, mission support structures, maintenance hangars, a petroleum/oil/lubricants (POL) storage and refueling station, a joint Army and Air Force evacuation hospital, as well as 24/7 Security Forces, Fire Response, Base Defense Operations Center, and Base Command Post. The 117 ARW has nine KC-135R Stratotankers allotted among two squadrons the 106Th Air Refueling Squadron (ANG), and the 99Th Air Refueling Squadron (USAF). The current complement of personnel is over 300 full-time personnel, including military and civilian employees. This expands to over 1,300 personnel for Unit Training Assembly (UTA) weekends and during activation.

The [[Alabama Army National Guard]] (AL ARNG) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) have facilities and units co-located on the base. Alabama Army Aviation Support Facility #2 provides aircraft hangar and maintenance facilities for companies of the 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment which operate CH-47D Chinook and UH-72A Lakota aircraft. The Armed Forces Reserve Center Buildings 1&2 provide facilities for the 109th Evacuation Hospital, 20th Special Forces Group (1st Battalion), and a Detachment of the 450th Military Police Company (USAR). The (AL ARNG) Field Maintenance Shop #11(FMS-11) facility is also on base.

==Terminal and concourses==
[[Image:BHM tower and terminal.jpg|thumb|Airport terminal, tower, and parking deck on March 14, 2008]]

BHM has one terminal building with three concourses, which opened on March 13, 2013 (Concourses A, B) and on August 14, 2014 (Concourse C). The landside terminal (the area before the security threshold) has two levels. The upper level has ticketing and check-in facilities, a business center, and a large function room. The lower level has baggage claim facilities, airline baggage offices, airport operations offices, and meeting rooms available for use. The airport has its own police force with offices on the lower level of the terminal. There are vending machines and ATMs throughout both levels, pre-security.

Terminal A referred to the former 1962 terminal, which was still in use as office space until it was closed in 2011. The former Concourse{{nbsp}}B was closed in June 2011 and demolished alongside Terminal{{nbsp}}A for the first phase of the terminal modernization project to make way for two new concourses, A{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}B, which opened on March 13, 2013.<ref name="www2.alabamas13.com">{{cite news|url=http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2013/feb/26/birmingham-airport-cuts-ribbon-new-modernized-term-ar-5687949/ |title=Birmingham Airport Cuts Ribbon |publisher=[[WVTM-TV]] |date=February 26, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303145142/http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2013/feb/26/birmingham-airport-cuts-ribbon-new-modernized-term-ar-5687949/ |archive-date=March 3, 2013 }}</ref> Concourse{{nbsp}}C was closed on March 13, 2013 upon completion of Concourses A{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}B. Concourse{{nbsp}}C was not demolished, but was completely gutted and structurally modified, removing the rotunda at the end of the old concourse and changing the structure to make a rectangle shape with the same width from end to end. It then underwent an intensive remodel covering all aspects of the concourse, culminating in the opening of the concourse to flights on August 14, 2014.

There is a rental car facility in an annex on the ground floor of the parking deck. Eight rental car companies are housed within this facility. The airport offers a parking deck with over 5000 spaces available for hourly and daily parking. A remote lot is available for long term parking, with over 700 spaces. A shuttle runs between the terminal and the remote lot continuously throughout the day. There is a free cell phone waiting lot with a digital flight display for people waiting on arriving passengers.

Beginning in December 2015, [[Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority]] introduced two new express Airport Shuttle routes from downtown Birmingham hotels directly to the terminal. The shuttle routes operate hourly on Mondays through Saturdays and the fare is $5.00.

===Concourses===
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Concourse A and Concourse B took place on February 26, 2013.<ref name="abc3340.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.abc3340.com/story/21315061/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-to-be-held-for-new-terminal-at-birmingham-shuttlesworth-international-airport | title = Ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for new terminal at BHM | work = [[ABC 33/40]] | date = February 23, 2013}}</ref> The new terminal officially opened for business on March 13, 2013.<ref name="www2.alabamas13.com"/> The new Concourse{{nbsp}}C was completed along with the second half of the main terminal building and baggage claim upon the completion of the second and final phase of the terminal modernization project. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Concourse{{nbsp}}C and phase{{nbsp}}2 completion was held on August 11, 2014, and Concourse{{nbsp}}C officially opened for arriving and departing flights on August 14, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxal.com/story/26274075/new-concourse-at-bhm-opening-to-arriving-passengers|title=New concourse at BHM opening to arriving passengers|date=August 13, 2014}}</ref>

Concourse A, which opened on March 13, 2013, consists of eight gates: A1–A8. It is used by Delta, Spirit, and American. It also contains U.S. Customs and Immigration facilities capable of processing arriving international aircraft. For international arrivals, a partition is closed, redirecting deplaning passengers down a separate corridor to the customs facility. After being processed, passengers proceed through one-way doors into the main arrival hall.

Concourse B, which opened on March 13, 2013, consists of five gates: B1–B5. It is used by American. Concourse C, which opened on August 14, 2014, consists of six gates: C1-C6 with the ability to expand by 4 gates. It is used by Southwest and United. Former Concourse B consisted of six gates, B1-B6. Prior to its closure and demolition, Concourse{{nbsp}}B was used by Northwest/Northwest Airlink, American/American Eagle, Continental/Continental Express and US Airways Express. Northwest moved to Concourse{{nbsp}}C in May 2009 and was merged into Delta a year later. [[American Airlines]] moved to Concourse{{nbsp}}C on June 10, 2011; while [[US Airways]] and [[Continental Airlines|Continental]] moved to Concourse{{nbsp}}C on June 24, 2011.<ref name="bizjournals.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2011/06/23/us-airways-continental-moving-to.html | title = US Airways, Continental moving to concourse{{nbsp}}C at BHM | work = [[Birmingham Business Journal]] | date = June 23, 2011}}</ref> Concourse{{nbsp}}B was then closed and demolished in August 2011 to make way for the construction for future concourses A{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}B.<ref name="myfoxal.com">{{cite news | url = http://www.myfoxal.com/story/15360724/birmingham-shuttlesworth-progressing-on-renovations | title = Birmingham-Shuttlesworth progressing on renovations | publisher = [[WBRC]] | date = August 30, 2011 | access-date = August 31, 2011 | archive-date = September 30, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930023039/http://www.myfoxal.com/story/15360724/birmingham-shuttlesworth-progressing-on-renovations | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Former Concourse{{nbsp}}C consisted of 13 gates, C1–C14. It was the only concourse at the airport in operation and in use during the first phase of the terminal modernization project. Therefore, all commercial and charter services used this concourse. Concourse{{nbsp}}C was then closed when the new concourses A{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}B opened on March 13, 2013.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news |url=http://www.abc3340.com/story/21569370/new-airport-terminal-opening-this-week | title = New Airport Terminal Opening this Week | work = [[ABC 33/40]] | date = March 10, 2013}}</ref>

===Architecture===
The 1974 terminal was built in the [[International style (architecture)|International style of architecture]] popular for American commercial and institutional buildings from the 1950s through the late 1970s. It consists of a single curved terminal with concourses radiating outward. Large floor to ceiling plate glass windows form curtain walls on the departure level of the terminal with horizontal bands of repetitive white architectural panels above and below. A slight departure from typical International style, the upper band of panels was decorated with raised circles of four sizes, two circles per size per panel. The roof is flat over the terminal and concourses; a series of steel columns painted white with stay cables for the terminal awning project from the roof. An enclosed white-clad Observation Deck jutted out from the airside terminal face at a sharp angle between the old concourses B{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}C. On the airside of the terminal, a large horizontal white sign with teal lettering identified the city as Birmingham.

[[Image:BHM terminal at night IMG 9885.JPG|thumb|left|The Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport terminal and the former Concourse{{nbsp}}C at night as viewed from parking deck]]

Externally, Concourse C and Concourse B before their reconstruction were radically different from the terminal structure, consisting of straight radial spokes clad with white panels. Concourse{{nbsp}}C included a circular end which invokes the appearance of the terminal, whereas Concourse{{nbsp}}B terminated at a flat wall. The concourse walls had relatively few windows, typically at waiting and dining areas. The presence of multiple shops, restrooms and service areas reduced the need for windows in the concourses. Jetways were used for the majority of the gates and aircraft, though [[Delta Connection]] and [[United Express]] used stairs leading to the tarmac to board flights on [[regional jets]] (currently all flights at the new concourses use jetways). Passenger gates and services are on the second floor with airside baggage handling and aircraft servicing on the ground level.

[[Image:BHM Concourse B IMG 0600.JPG|thumb|right|Interior view of the former Concourse{{nbsp}}B, which was demolished to make way for the new Concourses A{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}B]]

The interior of the terminal was renovated in the early 1990s and completed in 1993 at a cost of $50.4 million<ref name="BHM History" /> which included new floor surfaces, lighting, wall coverings, renovated public spaces, and public art. The flooring was a mixture of carpet and large tiles, with tile primarily in the heavily used terminal spaces, dining areas, and restrooms. Numerous planters were positioned in hallways.

The new terminal and concourses completed in the 2010s feature open spaces and clean lines. There is abundant natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows and large skylights. Neutral colors accented with soft blue and chrome are found throughout the terminal.

===Terminal expansion and modernization===
In 2014, the airport completed a $201.6 million terminal renovation project. This project included a major renovation and upgrade to the airport's existing Concourse{{nbsp}}C, which was dismantled down to its structural components and rebuilt. Concourse{{nbsp}}B was completely demolished and new concourses A{{nbsp}}and{{nbsp}}B were built. All three concourses are now linked, allowing passengers to walk from Concourse{{nbsp}}A, through to Concourse{{nbsp}}C without exiting the secure area. The main terminal containing the ticketing and baggage claim areas has been completely gutted and remodelled. Additionally, there have been enhancements to the parking deck, allowing passengers to move between the terminal and the parking deck under cover and without navigating any stairs. There is now a single large security screening checkpoint with TSA PreCheck which provides access to all concourses. Many concessions and shopping, as well as US Customs and Border Protection offices have been added. A completely new integrated baggage screening system has been installed to handle the screening of checked luggage. The new terminal is said to be built with new efficient building standards, making it one of the greenest airports in the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/01/birmingham_airport_aims_for_gr.html | title = Birmingham airport aims for green efficiency with design | work = AL.com | publisher = Alabama Media Group | date = January 30, 2011}}</ref> The first phase of construction was completed on February 26, 2013 with the entire modernization project completed in 2014, culminating in a ribbon cutting ceremony held on August, 7th 2014. The project team included KPS Group and KHAFRA (Architects & Engineers), [[A. G. Gaston|A.G. Gaston Construction]] (Project Management), Margaret Jones Interiors, LLC and [[Brasfield & Gorrie]] and BLOC Global Services Group (Construction Management).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/terminal-modernization-project/project-team.html | title = Terminal Modernization Project: Project Team | publisher = Birmingham Airport Authority | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526025432/http://www.flybirmingham.com/terminal-modernization-project/project-team.html | archive-date = May 26, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alabamas13.com/story/26229432/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-held-for-terminal-modernization-project-at-birmingham-shuttlesworth-international-airport |title=Ribbon cutting ceremony held for Terminal Modernization Project - Alabamas13.com WVTM-TV Birmingham, AL |website=alabamas13.com |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140812040059/http://www.alabamas13.com/story/26229432/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-held-for-terminal-modernization-project-at-birmingham-shuttlesworth-international-airport |archive-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On March 22, 2013, a digital flight arrival/departure screen fixture, added as part of the 2013–2014 renovation, fell on a mother and her children, killing ten-year-old Luke Bresette and injuring his mother and two other siblings of Overland Park, Kansas.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/23/us/alabama-airport-display-collapse/index.html | title = Father grieves son killed by Alabama airport sign's collapse | publisher = [[CNN]] | date = March 24, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Boy-Dies-4-Others-Injured-After-Sign-Collapses-at-Airport-199694301.html | title = Boy Dies, 4 Others Injured After Sign Collapses at Airport | publisher = [[KSEE]] | date = March 23, 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325232516/http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Boy-Dies-4-Others-Injured-After-Sign-Collapses-at-Airport-199694301.html | archive-date = March 25, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> In September 2014, the Bresette family and companies involved in the installation of the display reached a wrongful death settlement.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alabama |url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2014/09/settlement_reached_between_fam.html |title=Settlement reached between Birmingham airport contractors, family of 10-year-old killed in sign collapse |publisher=al.com |date=2014-09-03 |accessdate=2022-05-02}}</ref> A bronze relief of Luke Bresette was installed in the landside Departures level near the location of the accident.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alabama |url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2014/09/memorial_honoring_luke_bresett.html |title=Memorial honoring Luke Bresette to be installed at Birmingham airport |publisher=al.com |date=2014-09-04 |accessdate=2022-05-02}}</ref>

===Artwork displays===
Several pieces of artwork are displayed within the terminal and on the airport grounds. Approaching the airport along Messer Airport Boulevard, travelers pass a series of white three dimensional triangular shapes placed on raised posts along the shoulder and median of the roadway with a mid-span folded crease to suggest the wings of birds in flight or aircraft. In the 1990s terminal there were multiple pieces of art that became well known to frequent visitors to the airport. However, with the terminal modernisation project, most of these pieces were replaced with new, more modern, and in some cases, technologically advanced works. There are two unique major artwork displays in the terminal, both of which are in Concourse{{nbsp}}B. The first major display is a living plant wall entitled "Earth Wind and Water: The Landscape of Alabama". This living wall is the largest living wall inside any airport terminal in the United States. The wall is 100 feet wide, 14 feet high, and contains 1,400 square feet of vegetated area. The second major work of art is an electronic display which is approximately 50 feet long and made up of 26 large format electronic LCD displays. The displays contain pictures and video clips which are linked to form an ever-changing moving wall depicting various "stories" focussing on African American history and civil rights.<ref name="flybirmingham.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/news/press-releases/archived-press-releases/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205174259/http://www.flybirmingham.com/news/press-releases/archived-press-releases/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2016|title=Archived Press Releases - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport|website=flybirmingham.com}}</ref>

An art program at the airport puts on display revolving collections of works throughout the terminal. The program includes works from local artists as well as artists from around the country.<ref name="flybirmingham.com"/> In addition there is a rotating Barber Motorsports exhibit on the lower level near the baggage claim. This exhibit features frequently changing displays containing various automobiles and race memorabilia such as driving suits and mounted steering wheels from famous race cars. There are many smaller works of art throughout the terminal, both pre and post-security. The airport website has an updated list of the various works of art on display.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/art-in-the-airport/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205164707/http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/art-in-the-airport/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2016|title=Art in the Airport - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport|website=flybirmingham.com}}</ref>

===Airport amenities===
There are a range of dining and shopping options in the terminal, both pre and post-security.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/shopping/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205183629/http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/shopping/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2016|title=Shopping - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport|website=flybirmingham.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/dining/|title=Dining - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport|website=flybirmingham.com|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205185918/http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/dining/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/upper-level-terminal-map/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205162706/http://www.flybirmingham.com/upper-level-terminal-map/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2016|title=Upper Level Terminal Map - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport|website=flybirmingham.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/lower-level-terminal-map/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205185017/http://www.flybirmingham.com/lower-level-terminal-map/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2016|title=Lower Level Terminal Map - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport|website=flybirmingham.com}}</ref> The airport features free Wi-Fi internet access throughout the terminal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/free-wifi/|title=Free WiFi - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport|website=flybirmingham.com|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206022806/http://www.flybirmingham.com/in-the-airport/free-wifi/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2014, [[Yahoo Travel]] ranked the airport as the 49th out of 72 on a list of "Every Important U.S. Airport, Ranked by Its Food and Drink."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/travel/u-s-airports-ranked-by-food-and-drink-102255301782.html|title=Every Important U.S. Airport, Ranked by Its Food and Drink|date=November 10, 2014}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==

As of January 2023, the top five markets served non-stop from Birmingham are [[Atlanta]], [[Dallas/Fort Worth]], [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], [[Houston]], and [[Denver]].<ref name="transtats.bts.gov" /> [[American Airlines]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Southwest Airlines]], and [[Spirit Airlines]] serve Birmingham with mainline, narrowbody aircraft. [[Regional airline]]s provide a large share of daily air carrier service to Birmingham. The most common aircraft serving the airport are the [[Bombardier CRJ700 |Bombardier CRJ700 / CRJ900]], the [[Embraer E-Jet family|Embraer E-175]], the [[Boeing 717]], the [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737]] family, and the [[Airbus A319]]/[[Airbus A320 family|A320]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KBHM/departures |title=Airport Activity ✈ Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Intl Airport (Birmingham, AL) [KBHM] |website=flightaware.com |access-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref>

===Passenger===
{{Airport destination list


| [[American Airlines]] | '''Seasonal:''' [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]], [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]]

| [[American Eagle (airline brand)|American Eagle]] | [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]], [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]], [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]], [[Miami International Airport|Miami]], [[Philadelphia International Airport|Philadelphia]], [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport|Washington–National]]

| [[Delta Air Lines]] | [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]]

| [[Delta Connection]] | [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Detroit]], [[LaGuardia Airport|New York–LaGuardia]]

| {{nowrap|[[Southwest Airlines]]}} | [[Baltimore/Washington International Airport|Baltimore]], [[Midway International Airport|Chicago–Midway]], [[Dallas Love Field|Dallas–Love]], [[Denver International Airport|Denver]], [[William P. Hobby Airport|Houston–Hobby]], [[Harry Reid International Airport|Las Vegas]], [[Nashville International Airport|Nashville]],<ref name="SWABHM" /> [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]], [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix–Sky Harbor]],<ref name="SWABHM">{{cite web|url= https://www.wbrc.com/2024/05/23/southwest-adds-two-new-nonstop-test-destinations-out-birmingham-shuttlesworth-international-airport-will-also-fly-milwaukee-during-week-alabama-wisconsin-college-football-game |title=Southwest Airlines to Serve 2 New Destinations From BHM |date=May 23, 2024 |publisher=WBRC |accessdate=2024-06-02}}</ref> [[Tampa International Airport|Tampa]]

| [[Spirit Airlines]] | [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Detroit]],<ref>{{cite web | url= https://ishrionaviation.com/news/spirit-airlines-new-routes-detroit | title=Spirit Adds New Routes Including Major Detroit Expansion | date=March 25, 2025 }}</ref> [[Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bhamnow.com/2024/06/18/spirit-airlines-is-coming-to-birmingham-shuttlesworth-international-airport-marking-its-first-time-serving-alabama/ | title=Spirit Airlines is coming to Birmingham- Shuttlesworth International Airport, marking its first time serving Alabama | Bham Now | date=June 18, 2024 }}</ref> [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbrc.com/2025/02/04/spirit-airlines-adds-nonstop-route-birmingham-new-york-city/|title=Spirit Airlines adds nonstop flight from Birmingham to New York City|publisher=WBRC News|date=February 4, 2025|accessdate=February 4, 2025}}</ref>

| [[United Express]] | [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]], [[Denver International Airport|Denver]], [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–Intercontinental]]

}}

{| class="collapsible uncollapsed" style="border:1px #aaa solid; width:50em; margin:0.2em auto"
|-
! Domestic destinations map
|-
|{{Location map+ |United_States |width=1000 |float=center
|caption=Domestic destinations from BHM (excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories). {{font color | red | Red}} dots represent year-round destinations; {{font color | green | green}} dots represent seasonal destinations; {{font color | blue | blue}} dots represent future destinations.
|places=

{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=33.563228|long=-86.753333|position=left|label='''Birmingham'''|caption=|mark=Airplane_silhouette.svg|marksize=15 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=33.63666 |long=-84.428056|position=right|label='''[[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=32.896944|long=-97.038056|position=left|label='''[[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/ Fort Worth]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7}}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=32.847222|long=-96.851667|position=right|label='''[[Dallas Love Field|Dallas–Love]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=41.974186|long=-87.907783|position=left|label='''[[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago–O'Hare]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=25.795965|long=-80.287326|position=bottom|label='''[[Miami International Airport|Miami]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=27.983366|long=-82.537348|position=left|label='''[[Tampa International Airport|Tampa]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=28.431206|long=-81.308386|position=right|label='''[[Orlando International Airport|Orlando]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=26.073989|long=-80.150725|position=right|label='''{{nowrap|[[Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport|Fort Lauderdale]]}}'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=29.990140|long=-95.336792|position=top|label='''[[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–{{nowrap|Intercontinental}}]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=29.645556|long=-95.278889|position=bottom|label='''[[William P. Hobby Airport|Houston–Hobby]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=38.851047|long=-77.040320|position=right|label='''[[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport|Washington–National]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=39.177333|long=-76.668650|position=top|label='''[[Baltimore–Washington International Airport|Baltimore]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=40.777037|long=-73.874518|position=right|label='''{{nowrap|[[LaGuardia Airport|New York–LaGuardia]]}}'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=40.689333|long=-74.174585|position=left|label='''[[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=39.873918|long=-75.242466|position=right|label='''[[Philadelphia International Airport|Philadelphia]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=42.216112|long=-83.355586|position=left|label='''[[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Detroit]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=41.786589|long=-87.752356|position=right|label='''[[Midway International Airport|Chicago–Midway]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=36.126288|long=-86.677471|position=right|label='''[[Nashville International Airport|Nashville]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=39.855193|long=-104.673849|position=left|label='''[[Denver International Airport|Denver]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=33.436921|long=-112.011667|position=top|label='''[[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport|Phoenix– Sky Harbor]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=36.083697|long=-115.153873|position=top|label='''[[McCarran International Airport|Las Vegas]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=35.213889|long=-80.943056|position=right|label='''[[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte]]'''|label_size=100 |marksize=7 }}
}}
|}

===Cargo===
Currently, [[FedEx Express]] operates daily, weekday service to [[Memphis International Airport|Memphis]] with a [[Boeing 757-200F]], along with an [[ATR 72|ATR-72]], operated by [[Mountain Air Cargo]]. [[UPS Airlines]] operates daily, weekday service to [[Louisville International Airport|Louisville]]. On Friday nights, instead of a direct flight to Louisville, UPS Airlines sends a [[767-300|Boeing 767-300F]] from [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport|New Orleans]] to BHM before continuing onto Louisville. On Saturday mornings, UPS Airlines sends an [[Airbus A300-600]]F from Louisville to Birmingham, which then continues on to [[Pensacola International Airport|Pensacola]]. In April 2023, [[Kuehne + Nagel|Kuehne+Nagel]] began twice weekly flights from [[Stuttgart Airport|Stuttgart, Germany]] to Birmingham, primarily to support the central Alabama automotive manufacturing industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kulisch |first=Eric |date=2023-03-03 |title=Mercedes-Benz to benefit from new cargo service at Birmingham airport |url=https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mercedes-benz-to-benefit-from-new-cargo-service-at-birmingham-airport |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=FreightWaves |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kuehne+Nagel and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport welcome the first charter cargo flight from Stuttgart, Germany |url=https://newsroom.kuehne-nagel.com/kuehnenagel-and-alabamas-birmingham-shuttlesworth-airport-welcome-the-first-charter-cargo-flight-from-stuttgart-germany/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Kuehne+Nagel and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport welcome the first charter cargo flight from Stuttgart, Germany |language=en}}</ref> The flights are operated by [[Atlas Air]] using a [[Boeing 747-8|Boeing 747-8F]]. Instead of returning to [[Stuttgart]], the aircraft repositions to [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]], with a refueling stop in [[Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport|Anchorage, Alaska]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Finder ✈ Stuttgart Echterdingen (EDDS) - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Intl (KBHM) |url=http://flightaware.com/live/findflight/EDDS/KBHM |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=FlightAware |language=en}}</ref> Also in April 2023, [[Air Atlanta Icelandic]] began operating flights between [[Liège Airport|Liège, Belgium]] and BHM using [[Boeing 747-400|Boeing 747-400F]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Finder ✈ Liege (EBLG) - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Intl (KBHM) |url=http://flightaware.com/live/findflight/EBLG/KBHM |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=FlightAware |language=en}}</ref> The return flight stops in [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]] before continuing on to [[Liège]].{{Airport destination list
| [[Air Atlanta Icelandic]] | [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[Liège Airport|Liège]]
| [[Atlas Air]] | [[Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport|Anchorage]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]], [[Liège Airport|Liège]], [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]], [[Stuttgart Airport|Stuttgart]]
| [[FedEx Express]] | [[Memphis International Airport|Memphis]]
| [[UPS Airlines]] | [[Louisville International Airport|Louisville]], [[Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport|New Orleans]], [[Pensacola International Airport|Pensacola]]
}}

==Statistics==
===Top destinations===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%" width= align=
|+ '''Busiest domestic routes from BHM (January - December 2024)'''<ref name="transtats.bts.gov">{{cite web |title=Airport Statistical Report |url=https://www.flybirmingham.com/statistical-report/ |access-date=December 17, 2023 |publisher=Birmingham Airport Authority}}</ref>
|-
! Rank
! Airport
! Passengers
! Carriers
|-
| 1
| {{flagicon|Georgia (U.S. state)}} [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta, Georgia]]
| 409,110
| Delta
|-
| 2
| {{flagicon|Texas}} [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas]]
| 155,900
| American
|-
| 3
| {{flagicon|North Carolina}} [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport|Charlotte, North Carolina]]
| 138,850
| American
|-
| 4
| {{flagicon|Texas}} [[Dallas Love Field|Dallas–Love, Texas]]
| 106,700
| Southwest
|-
| 5
| {{flagicon|Colorado}} [[Denver International Airport|Denver, Colorado]]
| 93,240
| Southwest, United
|-
| 6
| {{flagicon|Florida}} [[Orlando International Airport|Orlando, Florida]]
| 83,720
| Southwest
|-
| 7
| {{flagicon|Texas}} [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston–Intercontinental, Texas]]
| 81,180
| United
|-
| 8
| {{flagicon|Illinois}} [[Midway International Airport|Chicago–Midway, Illinois]]
| 66,440
| Southwest
|-
| 9
| {{flagicon|Illinois}} [[Chicago O'Hare International Airport|Chicago-O'Hare, Illinois]]
| 57,210
| American, United
|-
| 10
| {{flagicon|New York}} [[LaGuardia Airport|New York-LaGuardia, New York]]
| 53,980
| Delta
|}

===Other statistics===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; width:525px"
|+ Traffic by calendar year. Official ACI statistics and BHM website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://flybirmingham.com/statistical-report|title=BHM Airport Annual Activity Reports 2014-Present|website=flybirmingham.com|accessdate= July 8, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! style="width:50px"| !! style="width:100px"| Passengers !! style="width:100px"| Change from previous year !! style="width:100px"| Aircraft operations !! style="width:100px"| Change from previous year !! style="width:125px"| Cargo (metric tons) !! style="width:50px"| Change from previous year
|-
!2005
|3,138,429 || {{increase}}8.6% || 144,178 || {{decrease}}5.0% || 30,526 || {{increase}}1.9%
|-
!2006
|3,052,058 || {{decrease}}2.8% || 124,103 || {{decrease}}13.9% || 28,984 || {{decrease}}6.7%
|-
!2007
|3,222,689 || {{increase}}14.3% || 138,975 || {{decrease}}1.0% || 31,075 || {{increase}}1.8%
|-
!2009
|2,934,317 || {{decrease}}5.7% || 106,780 || {{decrease}}13.3% || 22,740 || {{decrease}}14.9%
|-
!2011
|2,895,161 || {{decrease}}1.9% || 104,842 || {{decrease}}4.6% || 24,913 || {{decrease}}0.3%
|-
!2012
|2,864,058 || {{decrease}}1.3% || 96,839 || {{decrease}}2.9% || 25,310 || {{decrease}}0.7%
|-
!2013
|2,686,393 || {{decrease}}6.2% || 95,734 || {{decrease}}1.1% || 23,824 || {{decrease}}5.9%
|-
!2014
|2,624,665 || {{decrease}}2.3% || 94,534 || {{increase}} 8.7% || 22,501 || {{decrease}}5.1%
|-
!2015
|2,695,399 || {{increase}}2.7% || 90,002 || {{decrease}} 4.8% || 23,769 || {{increase}}3.2%
|-
!2016
|2,653,207 || {{decrease}}1.6% || 94,651 || {{increase}} 5.2% || 24,253 || {{increase}}2.0%
|-
!2017
|2,705,014 || {{increase}}2.0% || 96,053 || {{increase}} 1.5% || 24,837 || {{increase}}2.4%
|-
!2018
|2,972,776 || {{increase}}10.0% || 101,202 || {{increase}} 6.5% ||||
|-
!2019
|3,090,604 || {{increase}}4.0% || || ||| 22,289 ||
|-
!2020
|1,278,600 || {{decrease}}56.9% || || ||| 21,682 || {{decrease}}2.7%
|-
!2021
|2,193,604 || {{increase}}203.9% || || ||| 22,037 || {{increase}}2.0%
|-
!2022
|2,689,679 || {{increase}}22.7% || || ||| 20,863 || {{decrease}}1.0%
|-
!2023
|3,056,215 || {{increase}}13.6% || || ||| 26,118 || {{increase}}25.2%
|-
!2024
|3,243,023 || {{increase}}6.1% || || ||| 25,446 || {{decrease}}2.6%
|-
!2025
|969,161 (Apr) || {{decrease}}0.0% || || ||| ||
|-
| colspan="7" style="text-align:left;"| ''Source: Airports Council International. World Airport Traffic Reports (years 2005,<ref name="2005 WATR">[http://www.aci.aero/aci/aci/file/_2005%20WATR.pdf Airport Council International]'s 2005 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2006,<ref name="2006 WATR">[http://www.domodedovo.ru/img/uploaded/rating/WorldAirportTrafficReport2006_Revised.pdf Airport Council International]'s 2006 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2007,<ref name="2007 WATR">[http://www.abcal.org/images/stories/docs2010/aci_watr2007.pdf Airport Council International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031145/http://www.abcal.org/images/stories/docs2010/aci_watr2007.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }}'s 2007 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2009,<ref name="2009 WATR">[http://www.soulouconsult.com/PDFs/ACI_WATR_2009_FINAL.pdf Airport Council International] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811131701/http://www.soulouconsult.com/PDFs/ACI_WATR_2009_FINAL.pdf |date=August 11, 2016 }}'s 2009 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2011,<ref name="2011 WATR">[http://leea.recherche.enac.fr/Bdd/AirTraffic2011.pdf Airport Council International]'s 2011 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2012,<ref name="2012 WATR">[http://leea.recherche.enac.fr/Bdd/AirTraffic2012.pdf Airport Council International]'s 2012 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> 2013,<ref name="2013 WATR">[http://leea.recherche.enac.fr/Bdd/WorldwideAirTraffic2013.pdf Airport Council International]'s 2013 World Airport Traffic Report</ref> and 2014<ref name="2014 WATR">[http://haminfo-terminal.com/grafiken/WorldwideAirTraffic2014.pdf Airport Council International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306051255/http://haminfo-terminal.com/grafiken/WorldwideAirTraffic2014.pdf |date=March 6, 2016 }}'s 2014 World Airport Traffic Report</ref>) BHM Statistical Reports (years 2015,<ref name="Dec 2015 BHM Statistical Report">{{Cite web|url=http://www.flybirmingham.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Dec2015.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315193653/http://www.flybirmingham.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Dec2015.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-15|title=BHM Airport Dec 2015 Statistical Report}}</ref> 2016,<ref name="Dec 2016 BHM Statistical Report">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flybirmingham.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Dec2016.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114100401/https://www.flybirmingham.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Dec2016.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-11-14|title=BHM Airport Dec 2016 Statistical Report}}</ref> 2017<ref name="Dec 2017 BHM Statistical Report">{{Cite web |url=https://www.flybirmingham.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Dec2017.pdf |title=BHM Airport Dec 2017 Statistical Report |access-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114060337/https://www.flybirmingham.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Dec2017.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>)''
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%"
|+ '''Passenger airlines (includes regional operators) at BHM (January – December 2024)'''<ref name="transtats.bts.gov" />
!Rank
!Airline
!Passengers
!Market share
|-
|1
|[[Southwest Airlines|Southwest]]
|993,028
|30.62%
|-
|2
|[[Delta Air Lines|Delta]]
|984,566
|30.35%
|-
|3
|[[American Airlines|American]]
|907,999
|28.00%
|-
|4
|[[United Airlines|United]]
|339,855
|10.48%
|-
|5
|[[Spirit Airlines|Spirit]]
|17,575 (Oct-Dec 2024)
|0.54%
|}

==Accidents and incidents==
* A fatal Part 121 (air carrier) accident occurred: the crash of Pennsylvania Central Airlines (a [[United Airlines]] predecessor) [[Pennsylvania Central Airlines Flight 105|Flight 105]] on January 6, 1946. The DC-3 landed on Runway 18 and continued off the end of the runway into Village Creek. Three crew members sustained fatal injuries as a result of the accident.<ref>Civil Aeronautics Board, Docket No. SA-111 File No. 301-46, adopted June 17, 1946 [http://dotlibrary1.specialcollection.net/scripts/ws.dll?websearch&site=dot_aircraftacc DOT Library – Special Collections] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604230437/http://dotlibrary1.specialcollection.net/scripts/ws.dll?websearch&site=dot_aircraftacc |date=June 4, 2009 }}</ref>
* On November 10, 1972, [[Southern Airways Flight 49]] was hijacked shortly after departing Birmingham for [[Montgomery, Alabama|Montgomery]] on its multi-stop journey to [[Miami, Florida]]. All passengers and crew were safety released and the hijackers arrested over the two-day event, which is particularly notable as it led to the requirement that U.S. airline passengers be physically screened before boarding, beginning January 5, 1973.
* Two Part 135 (air taxi & commuter) accidents have occurred since 1962 which resulted in fatalities. The most significant accident was the crash of [[L'Express Airlines Flight 508]] on July 10, 1991, with 13 people killed. Eight fatal general aviation accidents have occurred at or in the vicinity of Birmingham International Airport since 1962, including a flight line ground accident.<ref>{{cite web |title=NTSB Aviation Accident Data and Synopses database |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409212640/https://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |publisher=[[National Transportation Safety Board]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 3, 1992 |title=NTSB Accident Report: L'Express Airlines, Inc. – Flight 508 – July 10, 1991 |url=http://www.airdisaster.com/reports/ntsb/AAR92-01.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613223857/http://www.airdisaster.com/reports/ntsb/AAR92-01.pdf |archive-date=June 13, 2006 |publisher=[[National Transportation Safety Board]] |df=mdy}}</ref>
* On August 14, 2013, [[UPS Airlines Flight 1354]],<ref>UPS, [http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Press+Releases/Current+Press+Releases/Statement+on+UPS+Flight+1354 "UPS Flight 1354"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816095147/http://pressroom.ups.com/Press+Releases/Current+Press+Releases/Statement+on+UPS+Flight+1354 |date=August 16, 2013 }}, August 14, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2013</ref> N155UP, an [[Airbus A300-600]], crashed in an open field on approach to Runway 18, killing both the pilot and co-pilot.

==Controversy==
In September 2013, Atlanta-based [[ExpressJet|ExpressJet Airlines]], then the largest regional US passenger airline, told its pilots to avoid landing on Runway 18, following the crash of [[UPS Airlines Flight 1354]] in Birmingham. An internal review following the accident concluded planes came "dangerously close" to nearby hills if even a few feet too low, and that there was a significant "terrain threat" and a non-standard glide path. An aviation safety expert said the runway was "absolutely" safe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Airline-warns-pilots-about-runway-after-UPS-crash-5299638.php |title=Airline warns pilots about runway after UPS crash - seattlepi.com |website=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308192221/http://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Airline-warns-pilots-about-runway-after-UPS-crash-5299638.php |archive-date=8 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Cultural references==
[[Image:Brandon Heath BHM IMG 3108.JPG|thumb|240px|The majority of the 2008 video filming took place in the airport lower level baggage claim 2 and 3 areas of the main terminal.]]

A music video for [[contemporary Christian music]]ian [[Brandon Heath]]'s song "[[Give Me Your Eyes]]" was filmed over the night of July 23–24, 2008 at the airport<ref name="official behindthescenes">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnGCh3ogZ7Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/gnGCh3ogZ7Q| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Behind the Scenes - "Give Me Your Eyes" Video |via=[[YouTube]] |author=brandonheath |date=2008-11-03 |access-date=2009-04-05}}{{cbignore}}</ref> after most flights had landed for the night. It was directed by the Erwin Brothers and premiered on the [[Gospel Music Channel]] on August 23, 2008.<ref name="momentum">{{cite web |url=http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?ID=386&sectionID=30 |title=Momentum Soars For Brandon Heath On Eve Of Release Of second album What If We |publisher=1Cubed |access-date=2009-04-05 |date=2008-08-19 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403000056/http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?ID=386&sectionID=30 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{clear}}

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Aviation}}
* [[Alabama International Airport Authority]]
* [[Alabama World War II Army Airfields]]
* [[List of airports in Alabama]]

==Images==
<gallery>
Image:20070126 0043bhm.JPG|A [[Delta Air Lines]] [[MD-80|MD-88]] taxis past the two United States Air National Guard 117th Air Refueling Wing hangars, a 117th KC-135, and the airport fire station at Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport.
Image:Birmingham-Shuttlesworth_Airport_entrance.jpg|The main entrance to Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport

Image:Delta_A319_pushback,_Birmingham_International_Airport_(US).JPG|A Delta A319 pushing back at BHM
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport}}
* {{Official website|http://www.flybirmingham.com}}
* {{FAA-diagram|00050}}
* {{FAA-procedures|BHM}}

{{US-airport|BHM}}

{{AL Airport}}
{{Birmingham Landmarks}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport}}
[[Category:Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport|*]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1931]]
[[Category:Airports in Alabama]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Birmingham, Alabama]]
[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Jefferson County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Transportation in Birmingham, Alabama]]

Talladega Superspeedway

2025-05-20T19:25:28Z

12.182.13.130:

{{Short description|Motorsport track in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
| Name = Talladega Superspeedway
| Location = 3366 Speedway Boulevard, [[Lincoln, Alabama]], 35096
| Logo = [[File:Talladega_new_logo.webp|300px]]
| Coordinates = {{coord|33|34|01.06|N|86|03|57.85|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| Capacity = 80,000
| Time = [[Central Time Zone|UTC−6]] ([[UTC−05:00|UTC−5]] [[Central Daylight Time|DST]])
| Image = Talladega Superspeedway 2024.svg
| Image_caption = Tri-oval (1969–present)
| Broke_ground = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1968|05|23}}
| Opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1969|09|09}}
| Owner = [[NASCAR#Tracks owned and/or operated by NASCAR|NASCAR]] (2019–present) [[International Speedway Corporation]] (1969–2019)
| Operator =
| Construction_cost = $5 million [[United States dollar|USD]]
| Former_names = Alabama International Motor Speedway (1969–1989)
| Events = 
'''Current:''' '''[[NASCAR Cup Series]]''' ''[[Jack Link's 500]]'' (1970–present) ''[[YellaWood 500]]'' (1969–present) '''[[NASCAR Xfinity Series]]''' ''[[NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega (spring race)|Ag-Pro 300]]'' (1992–present) ''[[NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega (fall race)|United Rentals 250]]'' (2020–2022, 2024-present) '''[[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]]''' ''[[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Talladega|Love's RV Stop 225]]'' (2006–present)
''Former:'' [[International Race of Champions]] (1984, 1986, 1990–1996, 1999–2001, 2003) [[AMA Superbike Championship]] (1980–1983) [[IMSA GT Championship]] (1971–1972, 1974–1976, 1978)
| Miles_first = Yes
| Layout1 = Tri-oval (1969–present)
| Banking = Turns: 33° Tri-oval: 16.5° Straights: 2°
| Surface = Asphalt
| Length_km = 4.281
| Length_mi = 2.660
| Turns = 4
| Record_time = 0:46.530
| Record_driver = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Parker Kligerman]]
| Record_car = [[Toyota Camry]]
| Record_year = [[2019 1000Bulbs.com 500|2019]]
| Record_class = [[NASCAR Cup Series|NASCAR Cup]]
| Layout2 = Road Course (1969–1989)
| Surface2 = Asphalt
| Length_km2 = 6.437
| Length_mi2 = 4.000
| Turns2 = 11
| Record_time2 = 1:53.400
| Record_driver2 = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Peter Gregg (racing driver)|Peter Gregg]]
| Record_car2 = [[Porsche 935]]
| Record_year2 = [[1978 IMSA GT Championship|1978]]
| Record_class2 = [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Experimental|IMSA GTX]]
| website = {{URL|https://talladegasuperspeedway.com}}
}}

'''Talladega Superspeedway''' ('''Alabama International Motor Speedway''' from 1969 to 1989) is a {{Convert|2.66|mi|km|adj=on}} [[tri-oval]] [[superspeedway]] in [[Lincoln, Alabama]]. Built in 1969, the track has hosted a variety of racing events, primarily races sanctioned by [[NASCAR]]. The track is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Brian Crichton. The grandstand can seat 80,000 as of 2022. Along with the main track, the track complex also has a {{Convert|4|mi|km|adj=on}} [[roval]]-style road course.

In the early 1960s, NASCAR founder [[Bill France Sr.]] built the track near [[Talladega, Alabama]], after a failed proposal to build one in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]]. Over its first couple decades, the track gained a reputation as fast, wild, and chaotic, with speeds of over {{Convert|200|mph|km/h}}, major accidents, and unusual occurrences. NASCAR's introduction of the [[restrictor plate]] and the appearance of pack racing in the late 1980s exacerbated its chaotic reputation, with several "[[The Big One (motorsport)|Big One]]" accidents involving 10 or more cars.

== Description ==

=== Configuration ===
Talladega Superspeedway in its current form is measured at {{Convert|2.66|mi|km}}, with 33 degrees of banking in the turns, 16.5 degrees of banking in the tri-oval section, and two degrees of banking in the straights.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2006 |title=Talladega Superspeedway |url=https://www.espn.com/travel/news/story?id=2346809 |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=[[ESPN]] |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804165923/http://www.espn.com/travel/news/story?id=2346809 }}</ref> The track, similar in shape to the [[NASCAR]]-owned [[Daytona International Speedway]], differs from Daytona due to its start-finish line; Talladega's start finish line is around a {{Convert|1/4|mi|km}} away from the track's center point.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Albert |first=Zack |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Off-center: How Talladega's start-finish line placement came to be |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/04/21/cup-series-2022-talladega-superspeedway-start-finish-line-placement/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2024 |website=[[NASCAR]] |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423055013/https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/04/21/cup-series-2022-talladega-superspeedway-start-finish-line-placement/ }}</ref> Within NASCAR's schedule, Talladega Superspeedway is the longest oval NASCAR races on during the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jensen |first=Tom |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Talladega Superspeedway: NASCAR's Fastest Track |url=https://www.nascarhall.com/blog/talladega |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=[[NASCAR Hall of Fame]] |publisher=[[NASCAR]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054310/https://www.nascarhall.com/blog/talladega }}</ref> The track also has a {{Convert|4|mi|km}} [[roval]]-style road course.<ref name=":024" /><ref name=":13283">{{Cite news |last=Perry |first=John |date=November 10, 1969 |title=Photo-Finish Win For Nils Sanborn |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-photo-finish-win-for-n/151771040/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=9 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054144/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-photo-finish-win-for-n/151771040/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Amenities ===
Talladega Superspeedway is located near [[Interstate 20 in Alabama|Interstate 20]].<ref name=":722275">{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=Carla |date=April 20, 1997 |title=Talladega Superspeedway is just one of the attractions found around the oval |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dothan-eagle-talladega-superspeedway/148056399/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020331/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dothan-eagle-talladega-superspeedway/148056399/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=[[The Dothan Eagle]] |pages=1E |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> As of 2022, Talladega Superspeedway has a capacity of 80,000,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stern |first=Adam |date=25 April 2022 |title=Talladega sees strong crowd for NASCAR Cup |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2022/04/25/Talladega.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2024 |website=[[Sports Business Journal]] |language=en |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020331/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2022/04/25/Talladega.aspx }}</ref> down from 143,000 in 2003.<ref name=":13266">{{Cite news |date=September 27, 2003 |title=Talladega Superspeedway Spectator's Guide |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-talladega-supe/151730167/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=5C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054305/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-talladega-supe/151730167/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The track's infield covers about 270 acres,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaines |first=Cork |date=April 27, 2019 |title=NASCAR's Talladega Superspeedway is so big, you could fit all 14 SEC football stadiums inside |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/nascar-how-big-is-talladega-superspeedway-2019-4 |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=en-US |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429031712/https://www.businessinsider.com/nascar-how-big-is-talladega-superspeedway-2019-4 }}</ref> and hosts around 2,700 [[Recreational vehicle|RV]] parking spots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newby |first=John |date=April 19, 2023 |title=Bringing the World to Talladega Superspeedway Is a 'Year-Long Process' |url=https://heavy.com/sports/nascar/talladega-superspeedway-track-president-geico-500/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=[[Heavy (website)|Heavy]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In total, the track complex covers around 3,000 acres,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waack |first=Terrin |date=April 28, 2019 |title=Party at Dega |url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/2019/04/28/talladega-superspeedway-celebrates-50th-anniversary/5320912007/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=[[The Tuscaloosa News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> the largest on the NASCAR schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaines |first=Cork |date=April 24, 2022 |title=NASCAR's biggest track is so big, you could fit 14 college football stadiums inside |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-big-is-talladega-superspeedway-size-nascar-2022-4 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241120192639/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-big-is-talladega-superspeedway-size-nascar-2022-4 |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |access-date=November 20, 2024 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Race weekend party scene ====
Talladega Superspeedway is known for its infield party scene during race weekends, gaining a reputation for a chaotic, [[Woodstock]]/[[Mardi Gras]]-type atmosphere.<ref name=":13243">{{Cite news |last=Newberry |first=Paul |date=July 26, 1992 |title='A Redneck Woodstock' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-a-redneck-woo/151525346/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=6B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718041016/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-a-redneck-woo/151525346/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The party scene has been described by ''[[ESPN]]''<nowiki/>'s Ryan McGee as "full of redneck engineering and school buses and questionable decisions".<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGee |first=Ryan |date=April 25, 2019 |title=Booze, optional clothing and smoke: Tales from Talladega's infield |url=https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/26601148/booze-optional-clothing-smoke-tales-talladega-infield |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=[[ESPN]] |language=en |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040955/https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/26601148/booze-optional-clothing-smoke-tales-talladega-infield }}</ref> Games, parades, and nudity has been reported by numerous journalists as being commonplace;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wray |first=Cheryl |date=May 6, 2017 |title=Queso races, crazy games bring NASCAR fans to Talladega infield party |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2017/05/post_842.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=AL.com |language=en |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040956/https://www.al.com/sports/2017/05/post_842.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hembree |first=Mike |date=May 7, 2017 |title=Party people in the house: Talladega's wild scene extends beyond racing |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2017/05/07/talladega-boulevard-parade-party-atmosphere-nascar-drivers-fans/101378778/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=[[USA Today]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040955/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2017/05/07/talladega-boulevard-parade-party-atmosphere-nascar-drivers-fans/101378778/ }}</ref> with reporter Mike Hembree stating that the focus of the party scene was "toward beer, liquor, racing, boobs and, somewhat down the list, college football."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hembree |first=Mike |date=October 2, 2021 |title=Party Time Returns To NASCAR Infield At Talladega |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a37836079/party-returns-nascar-infield-talladega/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=[[Autoweek]] |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718042457/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a37836079/party-returns-nascar-infield-talladega/ }}</ref> Elizabeth Blackstock, writer for ''[[Jalopnik]]'', stated that at Talladega, "People turn into ''animals''. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it looks like when humans just cease giving a fuck, I highly recommend finding your nearest infield campground."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackstock |first=Elizabeth |date=April 30, 2019 |title=Behold the Mind Blowing Amount of Trash Left over After NASCAR's Talladega Race |url=https://jalopnik.com/behold-the-mind-blowing-amount-of-trash-left-over-after-1834408841 |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=[[Jalopnik]] |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054145/https://jalopnik.com/behold-the-mind-blowing-amount-of-trash-left-over-after-1834408841 }}</ref> Considered to be "notoriously rowdy" in the 1980s,<ref name=":13244">{{Cite news |last=Eggering |first=Susan |date=July 29, 1985 |title=Wet weather tames infield |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-wet-weather-tames-infi/151526069/ |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-wet-weather-tames-infi/151526092/ 2A] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> by the 2000s, Talladega Superspeedway officials started to crack down on "hard-core lawlessness", adding in a makeshift jail and making the scene "more civilized".<ref name=":13245">{{Cite news |last=Jenkins |first=Chris |date=October 17, 2002 |title=It's another world |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-its-another-w/151525228/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[The Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=4C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[USA Today]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054228/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-its-another-w/151525228/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

== Track history ==

=== Planning and construction ===

==== Failed Spartanburg proposal ====
[[File:Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport.JPG|thumb|The Spartanburg Memorial Airport (pictured in 2008). [[Bill France Sr.]] originally drafted plans to build a track similar to AIMS near the airport. However, plans to build the track in Spartanburg fell through.|alt=Refer to caption]]
Sometime in the early 1960s, [[NASCAR]] founder [[Bill France Sr.]] made initial plans to construct a {{Convert|1.5|mi|km}} superspeedway in [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]], with the help of Spartanburg native [[Joe Littlejohn]].<ref name=":73323">{{Cite news |last=Howell |first=David |date=May 19, 1974 |title=The Speedway That Wasn't |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-the-speedway-that-wa/146339403/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430161345/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-the-speedway-that-wa/146339403/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=[[The Greenville News]] |pages=9C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In October 1963, designs for the Spartanburg track were drawn up by C. H. Moneypenny, with it planned to be built near the [[Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Winston |first=Chris |date=April 16, 1998 |title=A dream rooted in dirt Joe Littlejohn built Spartanburg into the heart of stock car racing "Back in those days, Spartanburg was the real capital of racing." |url=https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/1998/04/16/rooted-littlejohn-built-spartanburg-heart-stock-racing-34back-those-spartanburg-capital-racing34/29600325007/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]] |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430161344/https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/1998/04/16/rooted-littlejohn-built-spartanburg-heart-stock-racing-34back-those-spartanburg-capital-racing34/29600325007/ }}</ref> An official announcement was made on February 18, 1964, with stated hopes of building 50,000 seats and a budget of "near a million dollars";<ref name=":733233">{{Cite news |date=February 19, 1964 |title=New Speedway Proposed For Spartanburg Area |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-journal-wilson-county-def/142205762/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227234401/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-journal-wilson-county-def/142205762/ |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |work=[[The Greenville News]] |pages=16 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> it was also touted as a "little [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]]". However, while France Sr. later stated that plans were "far away from building" in March, local residents near the airport immediately raised opposition towards the proposal in the Spartanburg City Council; particularly due to concerns of increased noise.<ref name=":73311">{{Cite news |last=Clayton |first=Jack |date=March 5, 1964 |title=Speedway Spasm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbia-record-speedway-spasm/146339838/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430161344/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbia-record-speedway-spasm/146339838/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |work=[[The Columbia Record]] |pages=3D |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Despite further rumored plans to build a new airport terminal for the airport, further opposition was raised due to local [[blue law]]s.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Caraviello |first=David |date=April 30, 2009 |title=Cotton Owens Garage: In Former Hub of NASCAR, Now Only Memories Remain |url=https://www.cottonowens.com/archives/Spartanburg_Racing.php |url-status=live |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=Cotton Owens Garage |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211162547/https://www.cottonowens.com/archives/Spartanburg_Racing.php }}</ref> Despite this, in May, France Sr. continued to scout for potential sites.<ref name=":7339">{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Joe |date=May 22, 1964 |title=Name Chosen: Royal Omen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-name-chosen-royal-o/150628289/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054146/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-name-chosen-royal-o/150628289/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=[[The Greenville News]] |pages=17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The proposal was eventually rejected by the local city council; the rejection, which heavily contributed to the declining racing scene of Spartanburg that started in the start of the 1960s, was seen by locals as the point of no return of the city's decline. In an interview, longtime NASCAR driver [[James Hylton]] stated that the city council "stuck a knife in their hearts, their own hearts. Because if the city fathers in Spartanburg and Spartanburg County had approved that, this would be Talladega... All the people who had a vote on that really didn't understand racing. They really didn't have a clue as to what the future held."<ref name=":4" />

==== Anniston Air Force Base proposal ====
According to multiple people associated with Talladega Superspeedway's beginnings, sometime in 1965, former driver and businessman [[Fonty Flock]] convinced France Sr. to scout the [[Anniston, Alabama]], area.<ref name="escbubble">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-krDQc1_qE |title=Dave Despain On Assignment - Talladega |date=October 7, 2018 |last=Despain |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Despain |type=Video |access-date=July 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054349/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-krDQc1_qE |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]] |website= }}</ref> At the beginning of 1966, ''[[The Anniston Star]]'' reported that France Sr. was negotiating to build a $1.5 million (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=USD|value=1500000|start_year=1966|r=0|fmt=c}}) facility in [[Eastaboga, Alabama|Eastaboga]] near the [[Talladega Municipal Airport]]. However, according to France Sr., local Alabama tax laws and the cost of surrounding land were deterrents to the track's construction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1966 |title=Track Hopes Appear Dead At Eastaboga |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-hopes-appear-dea/148070164/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020332/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-hopes-appear-dea/148070164/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In February, France Sr. had reportedly began negotiations in [[Gadsden, Alabama|Gadsden.]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=February 2, 1966 |title=Gadsden and NASCAR |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-gadsden-and-nascar/148070631/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020330/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-gadsden-and-nascar/148070631/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=9A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> However, in the next several months, France Sr. and city of Talladega officials resumed negotiations for the Eastaboga proposal. In August, the [[Alabama Senate]] passed a measure to allow Talladega and its nearby cities to finance the track with their own credit.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ingram |first1=Bob |last2=Mackin |first2=Tom |date=August 25, 1966 |title=Legislature Expects To Adjourn September 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-legislature-ex/148071234/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020336/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-legislature-ex/148071234/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The measure was signed by governor [[George Wallace]] soon after; by this point, Talladega Industrial Development Board chairman O. V. Hill stated that the budget for the project had risen to $6 million (adjusted for inflation, ${{Inflation|index=USD|value=6000000|start_year=1966|r=0|fmt=c}}), and planned to host a capacity from 40 to 50 thousand seats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=September 4, 1966 |title=$6 Million Raceway Reported In Offing For Anniston Area |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-6-million-raceway-rep/148071463/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-6-million-raceway-rep/148071463/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-6-million-raceway-rep/148071509/ 8A] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Leaders of the now-proposed {{Convert|2.5|mi|km}} track also hoped to raise $3 million and acquire approximately 1,500 acres of land to kickstart the project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Plott |first=Bill |date=October 18, 1966 |title=France Outlines Speedway Plans |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-outlines-speedw/148071544/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=3 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Nearing the end of the year, leaders awaited a verdict from the [[Union Oil Company]] on whether they would invest $3.5 million for the project.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 28, 1966 |title=Raceway Due Fund Answer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-raceway-due-fund-answe/148074718/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020334/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-raceway-due-fund-answe/148074718/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-raceway-due-fund-answe/148074762/ 5A] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=January 8, 1967 |title=Speedway Waiting For A Green Light |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-waiting-for-a/148074807/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526020333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-waiting-for-a/148074807/ |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref>
[[File:TalladegaSuperspeedway2-2.jpg|thumb|An overhead picture of Talladega Superspeedway. The track was built using the remains of the defunct [[Anniston Air Force Base]].|alt=Refer to caption]]
France Sr. later stated hopes of starting construction in the summer of 1967 and to open the track sometime in 1969.<ref name=":5223">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=March 9, 1967 |title=France Moving On Local Speedway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-moving-on-local/148074835/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054658/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-moving-on-local/148074835/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> A finalized plan of the project was reported in April 1967, which according to France Sr. was "economically justified".<ref name=":1342">{{Cite news |last=Harwell |first=Hoyt |date=April 12, 1967 |title=Talladega May Get Race Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-may-get/148075065/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063639/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-may-get/148075065/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In June, France Sr. stated in ''The Anniston Star'' that the "bond market just isn't what it should be at the present"; however, speculated rumors of [[Pure Oil]], a subsidiary of Union Oil, investing the entire amount needed to finance the project were also being made, with a feasibility report stating that the project was "highly favorable".<ref name=":011">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=June 18, 1967 |title=1967 Date Still Eyed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-1967-date-still-eyed/148088935/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063640/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-1967-date-still-eyed/148088935/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In the next month, a party associated with France and Pure Oil were reported to have invested two-thirds of the financing needed for its construction,<ref name=":0112">{{Cite news |last=Weaver |first=Kendal |date=July 12, 1967 |title=New Speedway May Soon Be A Reality |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-new-speedway-may/148122672/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054658/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-new-speedway-may/148122672/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=14 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> along with the city of Talladega offering 650 acres.<ref name=":0113">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=July 19, 1967 |title=Speedway Project 'Alive' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-project-aliv/148122969/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063639/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-project-aliv/148122969/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=4B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> At the beginning of 1968, France Sr. announced that the track would be longer than the France Sr.-owned [[Daytona International Speedway]] by "400 [to] 600 feet". In the same announcement, he also stated that he aimed to start construction in a couple of months and that the project was "90 percent assured".<ref name=":0114">{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Billy |date=January 19, 1968 |title=France Says Construction Nearing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-says-constructi/148123007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063636/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-says-constructi/148123007/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> On March 14, Talladega County officials announced that they hoped for a final verdict on access road financing in order to finally approve the project;<ref name=":0115">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=March 14, 1968 |title=Speedway Word Expected Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-word-expected/148144170/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-word-expected/148144170/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=8B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-word-expected/148144192/ 9B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":0116">{{Cite news |date=March 14, 1968 |title=Talladega Track Access Road OK'd |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-track-a/148144258/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063632/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-track-a/148144258/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=51 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[United Press International]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> however, a sale of $2 million to First Alabama Securities relating to industrial bonds failed to go through.<ref name=":72242">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=March 15, 1968 |title=Track Money Hangs, France Sticks With 1969 Opening |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-money-hangs-fra/148147196/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063638/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-money-hangs-fra/148147196/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Despite this, France Sr. and Hill did not consider the lack of funds to be a major problem, and instead were so confident that they thought that the purchase would nevertheless be secured within the next month.<ref name=":72242" /><ref name=":722422">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=March 16, 1968 |title=Speedway Plans Continue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-plans-continu/148147781/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063637/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-plans-continu/148147781/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-plans-continu/148147843/ 2] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":722423">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=March 17, 1968 |title=Marrying Time |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-marrying-time/148147897/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054833/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-marrying-time/148147897/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=14A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In April, the city of Talladega gave France Sr. 2,000 acres at the site of the former [[Anniston Air Force Base]].<ref name=":722424">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=April 3, 1968 |title=Speedway Building Near |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-building-near/148149048/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063637/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-building-near/148149048/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-building-near/148149060/ 8A] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref>

On May 16, 1968, France Sr. officially announced the construction of the project along with a new airport runway near the track, which came at a final projected cost of $5 million and an opening date in September 1969.<ref name=":722425">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=May 16, 1968 |title=France Inks Speedway Contract |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-inks-speedway-c/148149097/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063633/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-inks-speedway-c/148149097/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Groundbreaking occurred seven days later, with the facility officially being named the Alabama International Motor Speedway (AIMS). At the groundbreaking ceremony, France Sr. stated plans to host [[NASCAR]], sports car, and motorcycle events at the facility. France Sr.'s son, [[Bill France Jr.]], was placed in charge of AIMS.<ref name=":722426">{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Billy |date=May 24, 1968 |title=A Dream Becomes A Reality |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-a-dream-becomes-a-real/148151064/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527063633/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-a-dream-becomes-a-real/148151064/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=9, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-a-dream-becomes-a-real/148151081/ 11] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> During construction, the track was advertised to have bankings steeper than Daytona International Speedway and potential average speeds over {{Convert|200|mph|km/h}}.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |date=November 22, 1968 |title=Talladega Track Open in September |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-talladega-trac/148156118/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527224044/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-talladega-trac/148156118/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In October, work began on constructing grandstands, which involved bulldozing part of the [[Talladega National Forest|Talladega Mountains]].<ref name=":022">{{Cite news |date=October 31, 1968 |title=Work Goes Ahead On Speedway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-work-goes-ahead-o/148156102/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527224041/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-work-goes-ahead-o/148156102/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=41 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In April 1969, a {{Convert|4|mi|km}} "roval" road course was announced by France Sr.<ref name=":024">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=April 3, 1969 |title=What About The Charger? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-what-about-the-charger/148156191/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527224045/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-what-about-the-charger/148156191/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> That same month, reports by the ''[[Associated Press]]'' stated that AIMS was selling 70 tickets daily on average.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harwell |first=Hoyt |date=April 30, 1969 |title=AIMS Drawing Crowds From All Over U.S. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-drawing-crowds-fr/148191081/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083928/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-drawing-crowds-fr/148191081/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=3C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In July, the amount of tickets sold daily was "100 or more", with the goal of 100,000 people coming to the inaugural race being "assured".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harwell |first=Hoyt |date=July 31, 1969 |title=Bear Does Good Promoting For Alabama's First Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-bear-does-good-promoti/148193231/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083858/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-bear-does-good-promoti/148193231/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=8B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The next month, the only construction fatality occurred when W. L. Harry died when a crane hit his head, crushing his skull.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 4, 1969 |title=Worker Dies In Accident |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-worker-dies-in-acciden/148193285/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083920/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-worker-dies-in-acciden/148193285/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Chaotic first years ===

==== 1969 Talladega 500 ====
{{Main article|1969 Talladega 500}}A date to christen AIMS was scheduled for September 14, 1969, for the [[1969 Talladega 500]].<ref name=":023">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=December 18, 1968 |title=This 'N That |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-this-n-that/148156132/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527224043/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-this-n-that/148156132/ |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The first tire tests for the facility were ran by [[LeeRoy Yarbrough]] and [[Donnie Allison]] in early August, with both claiming unofficial world closed circuit speed records.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1969 |title=Sports Briefs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-sports-briefs/148193846/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083904/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-sports-briefs/148193846/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=6 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Falk |first=Lawrence |date=August 8, 1969 |title=Yarborough, Allison Crack Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-yarborough-allis/148193877/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054835/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-yarborough-allis/148193877/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Both drivers complained of "rough places" on the surface of the track during testing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 13, 1969 |title=Races Get Approval |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-races-get-approva/148205330/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083910/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-races-get-approva/148205330/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=24 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Later in the month, [[Bobby Allison]] in a newly-unveiled [[Dodge Charger Daytona]] ran another test session;<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1969 |title=New Dodge Gets First Road Test |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-new-dodge-gets-first-r/149171619/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083927/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-new-dodge-gets-first-r/149171619/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1D |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=August 28, 1969 |title=Allison's Passion: Speed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-allisons-passion/149172100/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-allisons-passion/149172100/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=1F, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-allisons-passion/149172128/ 9F] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Bobby later claimed that the track had "great big holes" in its surface. France Sr. admitted the appearance of three holes due to [[Hurricane Camille]], but also claimed that the holes were filled before Bobby made testing runs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perry |first=John |date=August 31, 1969 |title=Drivers Are Organizing Their Beefs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-drivers-are-organizing/149172345/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083901/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-drivers-are-organizing/149172345/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=3C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> On race weekend, although the track surface was completed, numerous amenities, including VIP suites, were either unfinished or "barebones" according to longtime motorsports journalist [[Dave Despain]].<ref name="escbubble" />

{{Multiple image
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| image3 = Donnie_Allison_Greets_Rock_Fans_(cropped).jpg
| footer = Numerous drivers, including [[Cale Yarborough]] (left), [[Buddy Baker]] (middle), and [[Donnie Allison]] (right) complained about a rough track surface during the track's inaugural race weekend.
| alt1 = Refer to caption
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}}
The track officially opened to the public on September 9 for practice sessions for the Talladega 500.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=September 10, 1969 |title=Dodge Daytonas Choice For Talladega 500 Pole |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dodge-daytonas-choice/149174142/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083910/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dodge-daytonas-choice/149174142/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=12A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The track surface drew complaints from drivers, particularly drivers from the newly-formed Professional Drivers Association (PDA), a drivers' union. PDA drivers [[Cale Yarborough]], [[Buddy Baker]], and [[Charlie Glotzbach]] all reported that the surface was "rough" and caused increased tire wear amongst both [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] and [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]] tires; the two tire suppliers for the race.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=McNair |first=Kirk |date=September 11, 1969 |title=Talladega Track Is 'Rough' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-track-i/149181663/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083859/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-track-i/149181663/ |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=27 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=Jonathan |title=How A 1969 NASCAR Driver Strike Helped Richard Brickhouse Win At Talladega |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a42449451/1969-nascar-driver-strike-richard-brickhouse-talladega/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2024 |website=[[Autoweek]] |date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=June 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612083858/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a42449451/1969-nascar-driver-strike-richard-brickhouse-talladega/ }}</ref> Baker later added, "they haven’t built a tire out of anything that will stand up if you hit a chuckhole at 200 miles per hour".<ref name=":0" /> Tires were also reported to have only lasted 4 laps until they became "shredded", with Firestone pulling out of the event.<ref name="escbubble" /> ''Anniston Star'' writer George Smith remarked that due to the never-before-seen speeds in NASCAR, "no one really knew what to expect of speeds in the 195-200 m.p.h. range."<ref name=":73372">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=September 14, 1969 |title=A $5 Million Question |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-a-5-million-question/150630852/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054700/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-a-5-million-question/150630852/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-a-5-million-question/150630871/ 5C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> As a result of the complaints, drivers asked France Sr. if the race to be postponed; he refused, mainly due to the high cost of building the track, which France Sr. feared would bankrupt the track if the race was postponed.<ref name="escbubble" /> He proceeded to tell the drivers to race at slower speeds; this was refused by the drivers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bianchi |first=Jordan |date=October 10, 2019 |title='We are going home': An oral history of the 1969 Talladega 500 driver boycott |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1279513/2019/10/10/we-are-going-home-an-oral-history-of-the-1969-talladega-500-driver-boycott/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240612200826/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1279513/2019/10/10/we-are-going-home-an-oral-history-of-the-1969-talladega-500-driver-boycott/ |archive-date=12 June 2024 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |work=[[The Athletic]] |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> After an incident that involved Yarbrough punching France Sr. after France Sr. called Yarbrough too scared to race,<ref name=":1" /> a meeting involving 36 PDA drivers almost unanimously agreed to withdraw from the event.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Smith |first1=George |date=September 13, 1969 |title=PDA Drivers Refuse To Race Sunday After Questioning Safety Of Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-pda-drivers-refuse-to/149181769/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=July 3, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

Despite almost every major driver withdrawing from the race, with the exceptions of [[Tiny Lund]] and [[Bobby Isaac]],<ref name=":1" /> France Sr. announced his intents to still run the race, stating in ''The Anniston Star'', "I can't guarantee you how many cars will run right now, but there will be a race Sunday afternoon."<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=September 14, 1969 |title=Talladega 500 Still To Be Run Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-500-still-to/149182220/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054701/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-500-still-to/149182220/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 3, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-500-still-to/149182226/ 7] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> After the first race ever ran at the track, a {{Convert|400|mi|km}} preliminary [[NASCAR Grand American|NASCAR Grand American Series]] race won by [[Ken Rush]],<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=September 13, 1969 |title=Rush's Camero Wins First AIMS Race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-rushs-camero-wins-fir/150550843/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722110453/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-rushs-camero-wins-fir/150550843/ |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 3, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-rushs-camero-wins-fir/150550853/ 5C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> France Sr. decided to seek out non-PDA, Grand American, and PDA [[Strikebreaker|scab]] drivers to race in the main event; he also let in the smaller Grand American "pony cars", which had less power, run in the event.<ref name="escbubble" /> [[Chrysler]], who was set to debut the winged [[Dodge Charger Daytona]] at the event, replaced Bobby Allison with PDA scab [[Richard Brickhouse]].<ref name=":7337">{{Cite news |last=DeVault |first=Russ |date=September 15, 1969 |title=Winner's Decision to Run Put Him in Allison's Car |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-winners-decision/150631792/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722110425/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-winners-decision/150631792/ |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]] |pages=12 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> To appease fans, France Sr. also announced that any fan with a Talladega 500 ticket stub could attend any [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]] or Talladega race for free in 1970.<ref name=":3" /> The race ran without any major issues, with Brickhouse winning the event in front of a crowd of 64,000, which was lower than expected.<ref name=":73373">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=September 15, 1969 |title=Brickhouse Triumphs At Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-brickhouse-triumphs-at/150631556/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054701/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-brickhouse-triumphs-at/150631556/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> However, second-place finisher [[Jim Vandiver]], who was driving an older Dodge model, accused NASCAR of rigging the race; the protests were unsuccessful.<ref name="escbubble" />

==== Don Naman era, slow expansion ====
The track's second season oversaw decreasing attendance and increased disdain over the quality of racing at the track. The [[1970 Alabama 500]] saw a decrease of over 10,000 people from the 1969 Talladega 500, with NASCAR officials stating the attendance was "disappointing".<ref name=":13210">{{Cite news |last=Kirby |first=Henry |date=April 13, 1970 |title=Pete Hamilton wins Alabama 500 race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-pete-hamilton-win/150923668/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-pete-hamilton-win/150923700/ 14] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225219/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-pete-hamilton-win/150923668/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In June, reporters stated that AIMS had covered up several parts of grandstands with tarp due to a lack of spectators during races.<ref name=":13211">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=June 21, 1970 |title=This 'N That |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-this-n-that/150924779/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225225/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-this-n-that/150924779/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> A series of races held at AIMS in July were described by ''Anniston Star'' writer Tommy Hornsby as "a complete flop".<ref name=":13212">{{Cite news |last=Hornsby |first=Tommy |date=July 19, 1970 |title=Mitchell, Burns, Win Events At Speedway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-mitchell-burns-win-e/150923747/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=3C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225228/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-mitchell-burns-win-e/150923747/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In October 1970, AIMS appointed Don Naman, promoter of the Tennessee-based [[Smoky Mountain Speedway]], as the track's first general manager.<ref name=":132">{{Cite news |date=October 11, 1970 |title=Alabama Speedway appoints first GM |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-alabama-speedway-appoi/150816420/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=5B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-alabama-speedway-appoi/150816442/ 6B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055321/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-alabama-speedway-appoi/150816420/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Within the first month, Naman announced an improvement project that aimed to remove track surface bumps along with renovating press boxes and the track's control tower.<ref name=":1323">{{Cite news |last=Lumpkin |first=Bill |date=November 17, 1970 |title=The world's fastest something |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-the-worlds-faste/150816687/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=12, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-the-worlds-faste/150816706/ 14] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225224/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-the-worlds-faste/150816687/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":1322">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=November 17, 1970 |title=Changes are due for AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-changes-are-due-for-ai/150816737/ |access-date=July 7, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=9 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225217/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-changes-are-due-for-ai/150816737/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> As part of the project, the track surface was resurfaced by using a mixture that acted as a sealant.<ref name=":1324">{{Cite news |last=Kirby |first=Henry |date=December 18, 1970 |title=AIMS is undergoing resurfacing process |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-aims-is-undergoin/150817071/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=11 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225227/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-aims-is-undergoin/150817071/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The first race under Naman's tenure saw increased attendance, with 63,500 attending despite heavy doubt placed onto the track, leading to hopes of later races having more attending per race.<ref name=":1325">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=May 19, 1971 |title=More gas fumes... |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-more-gas-fumes/150855260/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225218/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-more-gas-fumes/150855260/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Within 1972, attendance had rose with Naman stated hopes of building new grandstands;<ref name=":1326">{{Cite news |date=June 20, 1972 |title=Two cities join AIMS honor list |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-two-cities-join-aims-h/150894096/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055330/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-two-cities-join-aims-h/150894096/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> the track also had a better reputation in local Alabama media.<ref name=":1327">{{Cite news |last=Kirby |first=Henry |date=July 12, 1972 |title='Talladega' a successful new industry |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-a-suc/150894109/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=33 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225225/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-talladega-a-suc/150894109/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The next year, attendance had rose to such a point to where one ''Anniston Star'' reporter had described AIMS' future as "all sunshine".<ref name=":13213">{{Cite news |last=Hester |first=Wayne |date=April 22, 1973 |title=Winston 500: Talladega track prepares for big stocks again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-winston-500-talladega/150963500/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225232/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-winston-500-talladega/150963500/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

Expansions and renovations remained at a slow pace throughout Naman's tenure. In 1975, AIMS officials announced renovations worth over $200,000; among said renovations was the addition of a new press box on the track's frontstretch that costed around $150,000, additional loudspeakers, and additional spectator gates.<ref name=":13214">{{Cite news |last=Cargile |first=John |date=January 10, 1975 |title='Best press box' in car racing at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-best-press-box/150963713/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=A8, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-best-press-box/150963726/ A10] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055205/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-best-press-box/150963713/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13215">{{Cite news |last=Hester |first=Wayne |date=April 3, 1975 |title=AIMS makes improvements for '75 season |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-makes-improvement/150963761/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-makes-improvement/150963786/ 4D] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225226/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-makes-improvement/150963761/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Further renovations to paddock areas were announced in 1977,<ref name=":13216">{{Cite news |date=January 15, 1977 |title=AIMS constructing garage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-constructing-gara/150999892/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=23 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055343/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-constructing-gara/150999892/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> along with the addition of a new 2,200-seat grandstand.<ref name=":13237">{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1977 |title=AIMS building new grandstand |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-building-new-gran/151420767/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=4C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-building-new-gran/151420767/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> A second repave was also announced in 1979 due to heavy rain.<ref name=":13220">{{Cite news |date=August 21, 1979 |title=Speedway will repave rain-cracked surface |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-will-repave-r/151002419/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=9A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003127/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-will-repave-r/151002419/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> That same year, Naman stated that officials hoped to expand to accommodate at least 150,000 fans by 1990.<ref name=":13219">{{Cite news |last=Cargile |first=John |date=May 1, 1979 |title='Decade of change' awaits racers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-decade-of-change/151001987/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-decade-of-change/151002038/ B4] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003128/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-decade-of-change/151001987/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The next year, a new, $80,000 scoring stand was added that accommodated around 100 people.<ref name=":13232">{{Cite news |date=September 16, 1980 |title=New stand is planned at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-new-stand-is-planned-a/151003576/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=13A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055838/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-new-stand-is-planned-a/151003576/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1985, $200,000 worth of renovations were made to the track's garage area and parts of the grandstands.<ref name=":13233">{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Donnie |date=July 21, 1985 |title=Work done at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-work-done-at-aims/151394714/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=16 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055809/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-work-done-at-aims/151394714/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> A new, 2,500-seat tower, the Anniston Tower, was constructed in 1986 and completed the following year, increasing the grandstand capacity of AIMS to 72,000.<ref name=":13234">{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1986 |title=New tower at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-new-tower-at-aims/151397955/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=4D |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055759/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-new-tower-at-aims/151397955/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13235">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=April 11, 1987 |title=Meteorite caused lots of excitement for Sylacauga back in 1954 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-meteorite-caused-lots/151408545/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=5 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055815/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-meteorite-caused-lots/151408545/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In November 1986, talks of annexing AIMS into the city of Talladega was proposed by Talladega mayor Larry Barton in order to pay off a $1 million deficit;<ref name=":13250">{{Cite news |last=Hicks |first=Roderick |date=November 4, 1986 |title=Talladega considers revenue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-considers-re/151587218/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-considers-re/151587250/ 9] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055224/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-considers-re/151587218/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> however, annexation talks died down by early next year.<ref name=":13249">{{Cite news |last=Hicks |first=Roderick |date=January 7, 1987 |title=AIMS annexation talk dying down |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-annexation-talk-d/151397391/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-annexation-talk-d/151397422// 2B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055343/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-annexation-talk-d/151397391/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Rising speeds, breaking records ====
[[File:Lynstjamescar.jpg|thumb|[[Lyn St. James]]' car driven in 1988 at Talladega to break the women's closed circuit speed record.|alt=Refer to caption]]
Within the track's early years, the track became known for its fast speeds, with multiple world records being broken; some records were more than once were broken at the track. In March 1970, [[Buddy Baker]] became the first person to break {{Convert|200|mph|km/h}} on a closed course, setting an average speed of {{Convert|200.449|mph|km/h}}.<ref name=":1328">{{Cite news |date=March 25, 1970 |title=Baker cracks 200 barrier three times at Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-baker-cracks-200/150921466/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=23 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[United Press International]] |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225223/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-baker-cracks-200/150921466/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Seven months later, [[Bobby Isaac]] broke Baker's record, setting a lap of {{Convert|201.104|mph|km/h}}.<ref name=":13226">{{Cite news |last=Hornsby |first=Tommy |date=November 25, 1970 |title=Isaac sets speed mark at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-isaac-sets-speed-mark/151199358/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-isaac-sets-speed-mark/151199385/ 2B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055337/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-isaac-sets-speed-mark/151199358/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1971, Paula Murphy broke the women's world record for the closed-circuit speed record, setting a lap of {{Convert|171.499|mph|km/h}}.<ref name=":13254">{{Cite news |last=Wappler |first=Paul |date=August 21, 1971 |title=Allisons' Show Continues; Donnie Gets Pole for 200 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-allisons-show/151653002/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722112546/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-allisons-show/151653002/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In August 1974, [[A. J. Foyt]] took the overall closed-circuit speed record from [[Mario Andretti]], setting a speed of an average speed of {{Convert|217.315|mph|km/h}}.<ref name=":13269">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=August 4, 1974 |title=Foyt's Coyote howls, record set at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-foyts-coyote-howls-r/151730890/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-foyts-coyote-howls-r/151730899/ 6C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Foyt's record was broken a year later by [[Mark Donohue]], with Donohue setting an average speed of {{convert|221.160|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":13270">{{Cite news |last=Hester |first=Wayne |date=August 10, 1975 |title=Records |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-records-part-1/151730938/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-records-part-2/151730944/ 8C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In the 1980s, the women's world record for the closed-circuit speed record was broken numerous times. Over the course of two days, [[Lyn St. James]] broke the women's record<ref name=":13272">{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Chuck |date=November 26, 1985 |title=No 200 mph, but St. James is the fastest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-no-200-mph-but-st-ja/151731127/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055844/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-no-200-mph-but-st-ja/151731127/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> and became the first women to break over 200 mph, setting a lap of {{convert|204.233|mph|abbr=on}} on the second day of testing.<ref name=":13271">{{Cite news |date=November 27, 1985 |title=St. James breaks 200 mph at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-st-james-breaks-200-m/151731136/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055712/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-st-james-breaks-200-m/151731136/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The women's world record was broken three times within the next five years; St. James broke her own record in October 1988,<ref name=":13273">{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Charles |date=October 11, 1988 |title=Lights, camera, action: St. James breaks her own world speed record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-lights-camera-action/151731188/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055733/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-lights-camera-action/151731188/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> and [[Patty Moise]] broke the record soon after St. James' attempt the following year in December.<ref name=":13274">{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1989 |title=Women's Speed Record Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-womens-speed-reco/151731212/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]] |pages=50 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055714/https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-womens-speed-reco/151731212/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Moise proceeded to break her own record a month later, setting a lap of {{convert|217.498|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2018 |title=The legend lives on |url=https://www.easportstoday.com/2018/10/12/the-legend-lives-on/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=East Alabama Sports Today |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055841/https://www.easportstoday.com/2018/10/12/the-legend-lives-on/ }}</ref>

==== Injury and chaos-riddled period, alleged Talladega Curse ====
{{Quote box
| quote = "Jim Hunter started all that... in the old, old days he was the PR director here. He was trying to come up with some way to build the mystique of Talladega. So he put together kind of a little public relations deal of talking about how Talladega was built on an old Indian burial ground... You heard the [[Bobby Isaac]] story, right? Jim was just building on that."
| source = Former Talladega Superspeedway general manager Grant Lynch's comments on the beginnings of the Talladega Curse<ref name=":Jim Hunter">{{Cite magazine |last=Lawrence |first=Andrew |date=October 16, 2014 |title=Talladega drivers, officials talk Big Ones crash lore before Sunday's crucial Chase race |url=https://www.si.com/racing/2014/10/16/nascar-chase-talladega-big-one-crashes |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |language=en-us |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320193355/https://www.si.com/racing/2014/10/16/nascar-chase-talladega-big-one-crashes }}</ref>
| width = 37%
}}In the track's early years, numerous deadly, injurious, or unusual occurred on and off the track.

Jim Hunter, a publicity director for the track, encouraged a belief in a "Talladega Curse" stemming from the speedway's construction on indigenous American land taken as part of the [[Trail of Tears]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hinton |first=Ed |date=April 23, 2009 |title=They're hearing voices at Talladega |url=https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=hinton_ed&id=4090615 |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2024 |website=[[ESPN]] |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505013307/https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=hinton_ed&id=4090615}}</ref> according to Superspeedway general manager Grant Lynch.<ref name=":Jim Hunter" />

In the [[1973 Winston 500]], a 19-car crash hospitalized four drivers;<ref name=":13217">{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Bob |date=May 7, 1973 |title=Yarborough: 'Lord's Hand Was On Us' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-yarborough-lord/151130291/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-yarborough-lord/151130314/ 5B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055714/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-yarborough-lord/151130291/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13218">{{Cite news |last=Myers |first=Bob |date=May 7, 1973 |title=The Tale Of Tragic Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-the-tale-of-tragic-ta/151130361/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte News]] |pages=14A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003135/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-the-tale-of-tragic-ta/151130361/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Wendell Scott]]'s injuries effectively ended his racing career.<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Donovan |first=Brian |title=Hard Driving: The Wendell Scott Story |publisher=Steerforth Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-58642-144-1 |pages=243}}</ref> That same year at the [[1973 Talladega 500|Talladega 500]], driver [[Larry Smith (racing driver)|Larry Smith]] became the first to die at the track when he blew a tire and hit the wall, suffering major head injuries.<ref name=":13221">{{Cite news |last=Kirby |first=Henry |date=August 13, 1973 |title=Smith, 30, first 500 casualty |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-smith-30-first/151160228/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=B1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003137/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-smith-30-first/151160228/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In the same race, longtime driver [[Bobby Isaac]] retired abruptly from the race and full-time racing; he said he heard voices in his head telling him to quit.<ref name=":13222">{{Cite news |last=Myer |first=Bob |date=August 13, 1973 |title=Isaac Quits Racing On Sudden Hunch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-isaac-quits-racing-on/151160050/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte News]] |pages=8A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003131/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-isaac-quits-racing-on/151160050/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> At the [[1974 Winston 500]], ten of the top 11 qualified cars reported that their cars had been "sabotaged", with various mechanical failures; the culprit was never found.<ref name=":13268">{{Cite news |last=Hester |first=Wayne |date=August 12, 1974 |title=Sabotage!... it's an ugly word, but it did happen at AIMS |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-sabotage-its-an-u/151730630/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-sabotage-its-an-u/151730639/ 3B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723055714/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-sabotage-its-an-u/151730630/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=nascarman |date=October 22, 2015 |title=Historical Motorsports Stories: The Race Cars Have Been Sabotaged! |url=http://racing-reference.info/showblog?id=2354 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427235506/https://www.racing-reference.info/showblog?id=2354 |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=March 23, 2016 |website=Racing Reference}}</ref> In 1975, pit crew member Randy Owens and driver [[Tiny Lund]] were killed in separate races.<ref name=":13223">{{Cite news |last=Hester |first=Wayne |date=May 5, 1975 |title=Tragedy at Talladega: Young crewman dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-tragedy-at-talladega/151163165/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003138/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-tragedy-at-talladega/151163165/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13224">{{Cite news |last=Hollis |first=Charles |date=August 18, 1975 |title=Four-car crash kills Tiny Lund |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-four-car-crash-kills-t/151162739/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-four-car-crash-kills-t/151167194/ 3B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003133/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-four-car-crash-kills-t/151162739/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

Unusual incidents continued into the 1980s. At the [[1982 Winston 500]], [[L. W. Wright]], a [[confidence trickster]], was able to [[Money laundering|launder]] thousands of dollars worth of equipment from multiple organizations, including [[Sterling Marlin]], [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]], and [[NASCAR]] themselves. After attempting to race and subsequently being parked during the race for being too slow, he vanished without a trace despite a manhunt, and was only found in 2022 when he agreed to reveal himself for a podcast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Houston |first=Rick |date=February 16, 2023 |title=L.W.: NASCAR's Biggest Mystery Lands Himself in Jail |url=https://www.thescenevault.com/post/l-w-nascar-s-biggest-mystery-lands-himself-in-jail |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=Scene Vault Podcast |language=en |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303032107/https://www.thescenevault.com/post/l-w-nascar-s-biggest-mystery-lands-himself-in-jail }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Houston |first=Rick |date=February 21, 2023 |title=L.W. WRIGHT, Part Two -- Talladega and Beyond |url=https://www.thescenevault.com/post/l-w-wright-part-two-talladega-and-beyond |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=Scene Vault Podcast |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926015314/https://www.thescenevault.com/post/l-w-wright-part-two-talladega-and-beyond }}</ref> At the [[1986 Winston 500]], spectator Darren Crowder broke into the race's [[safety car]] and took it for a [[Joyride (crime)|joyride]] in what longtime NASCAR journalist Steve Waid called as "Talladega’s most bizarre incident".<ref name=":13238">{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Charles |date=May 5, 1986 |title=Crowder's Sunday drive ends in jail |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-crowders-sunday-drive/151488111/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=5B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040958/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-crowders-sunday-drive/151488111/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Waid |first=Steve |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Waid's World: 'The Curse' Has Long Been a Part of Talladega Lore |url=https://frontstretch.com/2020/09/30/waids-world-the-curse-has-long-been-a-part-of-talladega-lore/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Frontstretch |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055800/https://frontstretch.com/2020/09/30/waids-world-the-curse-has-long-been-a-part-of-talladega-lore/ }}</ref> At the [[1987 Winston 500]], [[Bobby Allison]] blew a tire in the track's frontstretch at high speeds, causing his car to go airborne and crash into a protective catchfence, injuring four spectators.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robinson |first=Bill |date=May 4, 1987 |title=Allison walks away a survivor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-allison-walks-a/133822415/ |access-date=October 21, 2023 |work=[[The Atlanta Constitution]] |pages=D11 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003136/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-allison-walks-a/133822415/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Love |first=Brian |date=May 4, 1987 |title=4 Spectators Injured In Bobby Allison's Crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-4-spectators-i/133822434/ |access-date=October 21, 2023 |work=[[The Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003133/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-4-spectators-i/133822434/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> Considered one of the most influential moments in NASCAR's history, Allison's crash led NASCAR to introduce the restrictor plate to reduce speeds; a requirement that lasted until 2019.<ref name=":13225">{{Cite news |last=Rhodes |first=Beth |date=April 24, 1988 |title=NASCAR Takes Step Backward |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-takes-step/151198096/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=1H |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003125/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-takes-step/151198096/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":5" />

=== Mike Helton and Grant Lynch eras ===
[[File:Mike_helton_(46837498385).jpg|thumb|200x200px|Eventual NASCAR president [[Mike Helton]] (pictured in 2019) was the general manager of Talladega Superspeedway from 1989 to 1993.|alt=Refer to caption]]
In October 1987, Naman announced his intent to retire to become a member of the board of directors at the [[International Motorsports Hall of Fame]], with former [[Atlanta International Speedway]] general director [[Mike Helton]] taking his position.<ref name=":135">{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Charles |date=October 7, 1987 |title=Naman moves to HOF |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-naman-moves-to-hof/136969271/ |access-date=December 17, 2023 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217214429/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-naman-moves-to-hof/136969271/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> One year after Allison's 1987 crash at AIMS, a renovated and heavier catchfence replaced the original.<ref name=":13236">{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Donnie |date=April 28, 1988 |title=The near-disaster: One year later |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-the-near-disaster-one/151420751/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055833/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-the-near-disaster-one/151420751/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> On January 30, 1989, Helton became the president of the track; on the same day, the track was renamed Talladega Superspeedway, with publicity director Jim Freeman stating in a press release that "it's shorter, and everybody called it 'Talladega' anyway".<ref name=":137">{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1989 |title=AIMS only a memory after name change |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-only-a-memory-aft/136976678/ |access-date=December 17, 2023 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217214425/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-aims-only-a-memory-aft/136976678/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> Helton made numerous renovations to the Superspeedway. In 1990, upgrades to all of the frontstretch grandstands were made so they could withstand a double-tiered system; 2,000 seats were also added to the Birmingham Tower, along with a new media center.<ref name=":73122">{{Cite news |last1=McCarter |first1=Mark |date=April 22, 1990 |title=$1 million-plus Speedway work nearing finish |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-1-million-plus-speedw/151692330/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723060217/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-1-million-plus-speedw/151692330/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=14B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> A new infield campground was added in May 1992;<ref name=":7311">{{Cite news |last=Rochell |first=Anne |date=May 1, 1992 |title=Track infield 'up all night' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-infield-up-all/137058489/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219201945/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-infield-up-all/137058489/ |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=6B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> it was met with praise.<ref name=":7312">{{Cite news |last1=Burger |first1=Frederick |last2=Janovy |first2=Jena |date=May 4, 1992 |title=Ho-hum, routine race weekend, but infield camp OK |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ho-hum-routine-race-w/137058343/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219201948/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ho-hum-routine-race-w/137058343/ |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ho-hum-routine-race-w/137058351/ 2A] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> Further additions to the Birmingham Tower were announced later that year, with around 3,000 seats being constructed.<ref name=":73123">{{Cite news |last1=McCarter |first1=Mark |date=October 22, 1992 |title=Jamboree good for Short Track |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-jamboree-good-for-shor/151701991/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723060217/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-jamboree-good-for-shor/151701991/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=15B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> At the end of 1993, Helton left to become the vice president of competition for [[NASCAR]],<ref name=":7314">{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=November 23, 1993 |title=Hmiel changes his mind about changing his job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-hmiel-changes-his/137085014/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219215140/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-hmiel-changes-his/137085014/ |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> with general manager Grant Lynch taking Helton's position.<ref name=":13255">{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1993 |title=Lynch picked at Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-lynch-picked-at-tallad/151725292/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723060218/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-lynch-picked-at-tallad/151725292/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

Lynch expanded Talladega Superspeedway due to fears that the track was falling behind the amenities of rival tracks, particularly ones built by [[Bruton Smith]]'s [[Speedway Motorsports]].<ref name=":13258">{{Cite news |last=Estes |first=Cary |date=October 9, 1997 |title=All dash, No flash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-all-dash-no-flas/151728545/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=F1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-all-dash-no-flas/151728557/ F7] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723060301/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-all-dash-no-flas/151728545/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Seats were added in 1994 and 1995, with 3,100 and 5,000 seats being added in each year, respectively.<ref name=":13256">{{Cite news |date=August 16, 1994 |title=Ticket demand spurs new construction at Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-ticket-demand-spurs-n/151702012/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=The Daily Sentinel |pages=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723060220/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-sentinel-ticket-demand-spurs-n/151702012/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13257">{{Cite news |date=March 5, 1995 |title=Talladega adds seats in Turn 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-adds-seats-i/151725477/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=8B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722121923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-adds-seats-i/151725477/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> A new grandstand, the 7,800-seat Gadsden Tower, was added in 1997; by this point, temporary stands were also added to accommodate more fans for its NASCAR races.<ref name=":13259">{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Ken |date=July 24, 1997 |title=DieHard fans put the squeeze on Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-diehard-fans-put-the-s/151728511/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-diehard-fans-put-the-s/151728519/ 6C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723060221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-diehard-fans-put-the-s/151728511/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Another 11,000-seat tower was announced the following year, increasing the total capacity of the track's grandstands to 120,000; the project was the track's ninth expansion in the last decade.<ref name=":13260">{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1998 |title=Dega adds '50-yard-line' seats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dega-adds-50-yard-lin/151728621/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723060221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dega-adds-50-yard-lin/151728621/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Within the same year, the track also received a makeover; landscaping was done to make the track visible from [[Interstate 20 in Alabama|Interstate 20]] and the seats were colored red and blue to replace the "historically grey and dull" aesthetic of the track.<ref name=":13261">{{Cite news |last=Halvatgis |first=Jenna |date=September 23, 1998 |title='Bold' replaces old |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-bold-replace/151729478/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=4B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061224/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-bold-replace/151729478/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> A second phase of expansion following the 1998 renovation was also announced that same year, with hopes of the track eventually hosting "well above 200,000" within its grandstands.<ref name=":13262">{{Cite news |last=Tutor |first=Phillip |date=April 25, 1998 |title=Speedway adding even more seats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-adding-even-m/151728840/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-adding-even-m/151728847/ 3A] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061340/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-speedway-adding-even-m/151728840/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> A 22,000-seat backstretch grandstand, the Allison Grandstand, was announced in April 1999<ref name=":13263">{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Grant |date=April 24, 1999 |title=Track begins Alabama Gang honor with Allison Grandstand |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-begins-alabama-g/151729942/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2D |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061226/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-track-begins-alabama-g/151729942/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> and completed in October of that year.<ref name=":13264">{{Cite news |last=Medley |first=Joe |date=October 18, 1999 |title=Allison Grandstands a Talladega natural |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-allison-grandstands-a/151729947/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=3D |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061227/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-allison-grandstands-a/151729947/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Another expansion to the O. V. Hill Grandstands was made in 2001, with 5,200 seats being added.<ref name=":13265">{{Cite news |date=March 8, 2001 |title=Expansion creates more choice seats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-expansion-crea/151730002/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=7C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061331/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-expansion-crea/151730002/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> By 2003, according to the ''[[Montgomery Advertiser]]'', the track hosted a grandstand seating capacity of 143,000.<ref name=":13266" />

In December 2005, track officials announced a complete repave of Talladega; the first since 1979.<ref name=":94">{{Cite news |last=Creed |first=Jimmy |date=December 16, 2005 |title='Dega's plans to pave draws raves |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-degas-plans-to-pave/150703001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722124656/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-degas-plans-to-pave/150703001/ |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-degas-plans-to-pave/150703021/ 4C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Construction on the repave started on May 2, 2006, a day later than expected due to rain.<ref name=":942">{{Cite news |last=Adamson |first=Scott |date=May 2, 2006 |title='Dega asphalt project waits another day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dega-asphalt-project/150703050/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061340/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dega-asphalt-project/150703050/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=4B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The repave was met with positive reactions from drivers, including [[Tony Stewart]]<ref name=":1372">{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Ben |date=July 18, 2006 |title=Stewart digs repaving |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-stewart-digs-r/150703779/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-stewart-digs-r/150703802/ 3D] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061858/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-stewart-digs-r/150703779/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> and [[Dennis Setzer]].<ref name=":737">{{Cite news |last=Adamson |first=Scott |date=September 3, 2006 |title=Repaving project sailing smoothly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-repaving-project-saili/150703949/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170813/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-repaving-project-saili/150703949/ |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-repaving-project-saili/150703972/ 2E] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> It was eventually completed by September 25 of that year, in time for [[ARCA Re/Max Series]] testing.<ref name=":735">{{Cite news |last=Adamson |first=Scott |date=September 26, 2006 |title=Juan for the Road |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-juan-for-the-road-par/150704413/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170817/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-juan-for-the-road-par/150704413/ |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-juan-for-the-road-par/150704439/ 2B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The next year, Lynch was replaced by general manager Rick Humphrey, with Lynch being transferred to work at the corporate ISC offices.<ref name=":7372">{{Cite news |last=Medley |first=Joe |date=July 4, 2007 |title=Moving Up And Making Changes At Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-moving-up-and-making-c/150728535/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170814/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-moving-up-and-making-c/150728535/ |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> A $13 million, two-phase renovation project was announced in 2009, which aimed to renovate outdated seating and improve accessibility.<ref name=":7373">{{Cite news |last1=Medley |first1=Joe |last2=Strickland |first2=Brian |last3=Turner |first3=Christa |date=November 3, 2009 |title=Grandstands getting revisited |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-grandstands-getting-re/150728664/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170838/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-grandstands-getting-re/150728664/ |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=5C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> Lynch came back to his old position the following year when Humphrey was transferred to ISC.<ref name=":7374">{{Cite news |last=Strickland |first=Brian |date=March 31, 2010 |title=Ready to roll at Daytona |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ready-to-roll-at-dayto/150728955/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061815/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ready-to-roll-at-dayto/150728955/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=6B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> The early 2010s saw steep attendance declines due to the effects of the [[Great Recession]]; a peak of approximately 190,000 in the [[2003 Aaron's 499]] had fallen to 108,500 by the 2012 iteration of the same event.<ref name=":7375">{{Cite news |last=Muskewicz |first=Al |date=May 7, 2012 |title=Staying home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-staying-home/150748363/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=5C |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 2013, track officials announced that grandstand capacity would be decreased to 80,000, demolishing the backstretch Allison Grandstands.<ref name=":7376">{{Cite news |last=Utter |first=Jim |date=November 28, 2013 |title=Talladega Superspeedway reducing to 80,000 seats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-talladega-supersp/150728904/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170814/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-talladega-supersp/150728904/ |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=8C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref> In lieu of the Allison Grandstands, officials decided to honor the [[Alabama Gang]] by renaming the backstretch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2014 |title=Talladega names backstretch after Alabama Gang |url=https://apnews.com/9d79cc83826342a4a8d9b6c1fd80d4cf |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170814/https://apnews.com/9d79cc83826342a4a8d9b6c1fd80d4cf }}</ref>

==== Continued reputation of wild, crash-riddled track ====
[[File:P1020858 (7160076514).jpg|thumb|[[Tony Stewart]] leads the field during the [[2012 Aaron's 499]]. Due to the introduction of the [[restrictor plate]], cars raced in big packs, with the frequency of multi-car crashes increasing.|alt=Refer to caption]]
The track's reputation as a chaotic facility continued into the 1990s and the new millennium. As part of the introduction of the [[restrictor plate]] mandated in the wake of [[Bobby Allison]]'s crash in the 1987 Winston 500, cars were made drastically slower; an unintended consequence due to slower speeds was the introduction of pack racing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Alanis |date=February 21, 2016 |title=The Days When Even NASCAR Got Too Fast, And How They Changed The Sport |url=http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/the-days-when-even-nascar-got-too-fast-and-why-that-ma-1759237190 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405230008/http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/the-days-when-even-nascar-got-too-fast-and-why-that-ma-1759237190 |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2023 |website=[[Jalopnik]] |language=en-US}}</ref> As part of restrictor plate racing, major accidents involving numerous cars, often called the "[[The Big One (motorsport)|Big One]]", occurred often.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Hummer |first=Steve |date=February 13, 2019 |title=Say goodbye Sunday to restrictor-plate racing, but not the restrictions |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/further-review/say-goodbye-sunday-restrictor-plate-racing-but-not-the-restrictions/BZ3eNsi4HPjh5oA2ylK5GN/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2024 |website=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713003125/https://www.ajc.com/blog/further-review/say-goodbye-sunday-restrictor-plate-racing-but-not-the-restrictions/BZ3eNsi4HPjh5oA2ylK5GN/ }}</ref> At the [[1993 DieHard 500]], two separate major accidents occurred. Early in the race, multiple drivers were involved in a seven-car crash; one of them, [[Stanley Smith (racing driver)|Stanley Smith]], suffered a [[basilar skull fracture]] that affected Smith for the rest of his life.<ref name=":13239">{{Cite news |last1=Scott |first1=Chris |last2=Scott |first2=Richard |date=July 26, 1993 |title=Race driver hurt |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-race-driver-hurt/151488877/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 16, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-race-driver-hurt/151488886/ A3] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061735/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-race-driver-hurt/151488877/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nance |first=David |date=December 16, 2022 |title=A Fan's Memories of Stanley Smith |url=https://www.purethunderracing.com/2022/12/a-fans-memories-of-stanley-smith.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Pure Thunder Racing |language=en-US |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718041000/https://www.purethunderracing.com/2022/12/a-fans-memories-of-stanley-smith.html }}</ref> In the same accident, [[Jimmy Horton]]'s car went over the protective wall; the first of its kind since 1969 in the NASCAR Cup Series.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siano |first=Joseph |date=August 1, 1993 |title=AUTO RACING; Remains of the Race: Horton Ponders Crash |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/01/sports/auto-racing-remains-of-the-race-horton-ponders-crash.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040956/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/01/sports/auto-racing-remains-of-the-race-horton-ponders-crash.html }}</ref><ref name=":13240">{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=July 26, 1993 |title=Talladega precautions still not working |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-talladega-precaut/151513949/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-talladega-precaut/151513969/ 6B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061901/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-talladega-precaut/151513949/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Later in the race, [[Neil Bonnett]]'s car went airborne and hit the catchfence on the track's frontstretch, tearing a 20-foot gap.<ref name=":13241">{{Cite news |last=Hathcook |first=Tim |date=July 26, 1993 |title=Bonnett flip: A painful sight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-bonnett-flip-a-painfu/151489108/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=5B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061845/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-bonnett-flip-a-painfu/151489108/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The next year at the [[1994 Winston Select 500]], a multi-car accident involving [[Mark Martin]] sent Martin through the infield of the track, with Martin breaking through an infield guardrail.<ref name=":13242">{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=May 2, 1994 |title=Spencer gets blame for wreck |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-spencer-gets-blam/151515214/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=5B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718041010/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-spencer-gets-blam/151515214/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> At the [[1996 Winston Select 500]], [[Ricky Craven]] was involved in a 14-car accident that sent Craven's car airborne at nearly the same spot during Horton's crash in 1993; however, due to a newly-added catchfence that was added in the turn in the wake of Horton's crash, Craven's car was able to stay within the track confines.<ref name=":138">{{Cite news |last=Harvego |first=Erin |date=April 29, 1996 |title=Too many cars, too little room |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-too-many-cars-too-lit/151550474/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061846/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-too-many-cars-too-lit/151550474/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=4B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }} {{Open access}}</ref>

Heading into the new millennium, major accidents continued, with incidents involving at least 20 cars occurring frequently. At the [[2002 Aaron's 312 at Talladega|2002 Aaron's 312]], a 27-car pileup occurred, breaking an all-time record for the most cars involved in an incident in any of NASCAR's top three series in the modern era.<ref name=":13247">{{Cite news |last=Medley |first=Joe |date=April 21, 2002 |title=Keller arises from carnage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-keller-arises-from-car/151584901/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=6, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-keller-arises-from-car/151585112/ 7] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723061740/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-keller-arises-from-car/151584901/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> At the [[2002 Aaron's 499|Aaron's 499]] that same year, an incident late in the race involved two dozen cars.<ref name=":13251">{{Cite news |last=Muskewitz |first=Al |date=April 22, 2002 |title='The Big One' proves to be inescapable again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-the-big-one-proves-t/151610973/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=5 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722130732/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-the-big-one-proves-t/151610973/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> The record was tied at the [[2003 Aaron's 499]], where the accident set a new all-time NASCAR Cup Series record for most cars involved in a single incident.<ref name=":13248">{{Cite news |last=Moon |first=Josh |date=April 7, 2003 |title=Early 'big one' damages more than half the field |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-early-big-one/151585859/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[Montgomery Advertiser]] |pages=4B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723062857/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-early-big-one/151585859/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Another catchfence incident occurred at the [[2009 Aaron's 499]], when [[Carl Edwards]]' car went airborne on the final lap, crashing into the catchfence and injuring seven spectators.<ref name=":13246">{{Cite news |last=Muskewitz |first=Al |date=April 27, 2009 |title=7 race fans injured from last-lap crash |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-7-race-fans-injured-fr/151578558/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-7-race-fans-injured-fr/151578591/ 4A] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723063757/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-7-race-fans-injured-fr/151578558/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Three years later at the [[2012 Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500]], a 25-car accident occurred on the final lap of the race.<ref name=":13252">{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=David |date=October 8, 2012 |title='Big wreck' gives Kenseth win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-big-wreck-gives/151611414/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 18, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-big-wreck-gives/151611793/ 3C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722131405/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-big-wreck-gives/151611414/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Brian Crichton era ===
In 2018, ISC announced a $50 million renovation to the track's infield which aimed to completely revamp the garage and media center along with the additions of several amenities, including additional suites and a new infield tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Matt |date=July 26, 2018 |title=First Look: Talladega Superspeedway's $50 Million Infield Renovation |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a1703361/first-look-talladega-superspeedways-50-million-infield-renovation/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=[[Autoweek]] |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706172318/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a1703361/first-look-talladega-superspeedways-50-million-infield-renovation/ }}</ref> Work on the project started in October of that year,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tomberlin |first=Michael |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Talladega Superspeedway waves green flag on $50M Transformation with tunnel |url=https://alabamanewscenter.com/2018/10/23/talladega-superspeedway-waves-green-flag-50m-transformation-tunnel/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Alabama News Center |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706170814/https://alabamanewscenter.com/2018/10/23/talladega-superspeedway-waves-green-flag-50m-transformation-tunnel/ }}</ref> and was completed in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bean |first=Josh |date=September 25, 2019 |title='A race fan's track': Talladega shows off new fan infield experience |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2019/09/a-race-fans-track-talladega-shows-off-new-fan-infield-experience.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=AL.com |language=en |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929200023/https://www.al.com/sports/2019/09/a-race-fans-track-talladega-shows-off-new-fan-infield-experience.html }}</ref> Also in 2018, Lynch announced his retirement from the track, ending a 25-year reign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawes |first=Don |date=September 13, 2018 |title=Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch retiring in 2019 |url=https://www.wvtm13.com/article/talladega-superspeedway-chairman-grant-lynch-retiring-in-2019/23109459 |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[WVTM-TV]] |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913113014/https://www.wvtm13.com/article/talladega-superspeedway-chairman-grant-lynch-retiring-in-2019/23109459 }}</ref> It took effect after the [[2019 1000Bulbs.com 500]], with vice president of marketing and sales Brian Crichton replacing Lynch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rebman |first=Stephanie |date=August 13, 2019 |title=New president named for Talladega Superspeedway |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2019/08/13/new-president-named-for-talladega-superspeedway.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240705224008/https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2019/08/13/new-president-named-for-talladega-superspeedway.html#selection-933.0-933.47 |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=Birmingham Business Journals}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2019 |title=Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch looks back as he steps down |url=https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/talladega-superspeedway-chairman-grant-lynch-looks-back-as-he-steps-down/article_fda1fd68-13c3-11ea-8e27-cfeee538ceb3.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[The Anniston Star]] |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064410/https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/talladega-superspeedway-chairman-grant-lynch-looks-back-as-he-steps-down/article_fda1fd68-13c3-11ea-8e27-cfeee538ceb3.html }}</ref> The next year, the track came under controversy when a member of [[Bubba Wallace]]'s crew reported a potential [[noose]] in the midst of the [[George Floyd protests]] and the [[Black Lives Matter movement]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrejev |first=Alex |date=June 21, 2020 |title=FBI now investigating noose found in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's garage at Talladega |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article243704682.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240706164453/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article243704682.html |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Matt |date=June 25, 2020 |title=NASCAR Releases Image Of Talladega Noose, Says Concern For Bubba Wallace Was Real |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a32971809/nascar-releases-image-of-talladega-noose-says-concern-for-bubba-wallace-was-real/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[Autoweek]] |archive-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620043804/https://www.autoweek.com/racing/nascar/a32971809/nascar-releases-image-of-talladega-noose-says-concern-for-bubba-wallace-was-real/ }}</ref> A [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI) investigation later determined that Wallace had not been a victim of a [[hate crime]]; the noose was a garage door pull rope that had existed since October 2019, although it was the only one shaped like a noose across NASCAR-owned tracks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lutz |first=Tom |date=June 23, 2020 |title=FBI concludes that Bubba Wallace not victim of hate crime over noose incident |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jun/23/fbi-investigation-bubba-wallace-noose-nascar |url-status=live |access-date=2024-07-06 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064347/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jun/23/fbi-investigation-bubba-wallace-noose-nascar }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Tom |date=June 25, 2020 |title=NASCAR Completes Noose Investigation; Can't Determine How It Got Into Driver's Garage |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/25/883432500/nascar-completes-noose-investigation-cant-determine-how-it-got-into-driver-s-gar |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[NPR]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064304/https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/25/883432500/nascar-completes-noose-investigation-cant-determine-how-it-got-into-driver-s-gar }}</ref> To further modernize the track, a scoring pylon was removed in 2024 to get spectators to look at modern video screens for live scoring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connock |first=Shane |date=April 21, 2024 |title=Why NASCAR removed the scoring pylon from Talladega and other tracks |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article287624560.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240423000805/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/article287624560.html |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]}}</ref>

== Events ==

=== Racing ===

==== NASCAR ====
{{Main|Jack Link's 500|YellaWood 500|NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega (spring race)|NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega (fall race)|NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Talladega|l3 = Ag-Pro 300|l4 = United Rentals 250|l5 = Love's RV Stop 225}}
[[File:Chief of the National Guard Bureau swears in new recruits at the Talladega Superspeedway (16).jpg|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|Cars racing at the spring [[2024 GEICO 500]]. Since 1969, NASCAR has raced at the facility annually.]]
The facility has held two annual NASCAR weekends for most of its history, highlighted by the [[NASCAR Cup Series]] with the spring [[Jack Link's 500]] and the fall [[YellaWood 500]].<ref name=":1329222">{{Cite news |date=December 11, 1969 |title=France Sets Heavy Schedule For Bama Track During 1970 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-sets-heavy-sche/150939242/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-france-sets-heavy-sche/150939242/ |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |access-date=July 8, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":73373222">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=September 15, 1969 |title=Brickhouse Triumphs At Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-brickhouse-triumphs-at/150631556/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723054701/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-brickhouse-triumphs-at/150631556/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The facility also hosts second-tier [[NASCAR Xfinity Series]] and third-tier [[NASCAR Truck Series]] races as support events, including the [[Ag-Pro 300]], [[United Rentals 250]], and [[Love's RV Stop 225]].<ref>{{cite web |date=September 29, 2021 |title=Back to the Future: New venues, return of familiar locations highlight 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series slates |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/09/29/back-to-the-future-new-venues-return-of-familiar-locations-highlight-2022-nascar-xfinity-series-nascar-camping-world-truck-series-slates/ |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=[[NASCAR]]}}</ref>

==== IMSA GT Championship ====
In the 1970s, the [[IMSA GT Championship]] raced at the track's road course numerous times. The series first raced at Talladega Superspeedway in 1971,<ref name=":13284">{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Donnie |date=March 18, 1971 |title=AIMS adds new race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-aims-adds-new-rac/151773345/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=13 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064418/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-aims-adds-new-rac/151773345/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> and proceeded to race at the track five more times within the decade, including a six-hour endurance event in 1978.<ref name=":13285">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=George |date=April 3, 1978 |title=Gregg, Frisselle romp in Six Hours |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-gregg-frisselle-romp/151774009/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-gregg-frisselle-romp/151774027/ 3B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064420/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-gregg-frisselle-romp/151774009/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> Although IMSA was scheduled to race at the circuit in 1979 in another six-hour event at the track,<ref name=":13286">{{Cite news |date=March 11, 1979 |title=Blazing compacts ready for Six Hours of 'Dega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-blazing-compacts-ready/151774496/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=2B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064420/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-blazing-compacts-ready/151774496/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> they opted to withdraw from the event.<ref name=":13287">{{Cite news |date=March 28, 1979 |title=AMC Spirits favored at Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-amc-spirits-favor/151774347/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=C2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064304/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-amc-spirits-favor/151774347/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

==== Other racing events ====
The [[International Race of Champions]] (IROC) made occasional appearances at Talladega Superspeedway throughout its existence. The series first appeared in 1984 for a one-off appearance,<ref name=":13275">{{Cite news |last=Higgins |first=Tom |date=July 29, 1984 |title=Waltrip Edges Yarborough |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-waltrip-edges-yar/151757419/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |pages=14C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064335/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-waltrip-edges-yar/151757419/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> opting to come back two years later before leaving again.<ref name=":13276">{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Mike |date=August 10, 1986 |title='Young Al' takes IROC |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-young-al-takes-iroc/151757621/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=6B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> IROC came back on a year-by-year basis starting in 1990,<ref name=":13277">{{Cite news |last=McCarter |first=Mark |date=March 11, 1990 |title=IROC returns to Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-iroc-returns-to-tallad/151757705/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=11B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064422/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-iroc-returns-to-tallad/151757705/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> staying for a seven-year stint until leaving at the end of their 1996 season.<ref name=":13278">{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Ken |date=December 17, 1996 |title=Talladega no longer a stop for IROC |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-no-longer-a/151758348/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722132456/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-no-longer-a/151758348/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> IROC made its last year-by-year stint starting in 1999,<ref name=":13279">{{Cite news |last=Tutor |first=Phillip |date=October 10, 1998 |title=IROC returns in speedway's 30th anniversary |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-iroc-returns-in-speedw/151759403/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-iroc-returns-in-speedw/151759455/ 2D] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064422/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-iroc-returns-in-speedw/151759403/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> racing there until 2003<ref name=":13280">{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2004 |title=Talladega one of three tracks to lose IROC |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-one-of-three/151759914/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=3C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722132541/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-talladega-one-of-three/151759914/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> (with the exception of 2002).<ref name=":13281">{{Cite news |last=Estes |first=Cary |date=November 8, 2001 |title=No IROC race at 'Dega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-no-iroc-race-at/151759971/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=C2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064306/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-no-iroc-race-at/151759971/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

The [[AMA Superbike Championship]] raced at the circuit in the early 1980s, first making their appearance in 1980.<ref name=":13288">{{Cite news |last=Bragg |first=Rick |date=April 15, 1980 |title=Lawson gets cycle sweep |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-lawson-gets-cycle-swee/151775459/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-lawson-gets-cycle-swee/151775476/ 3B] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The series made their last appearance at the circuit in 1983.<ref name=":13289">{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Terry |date=March 22, 1983 |title=Baldwin takes 'quiet' victory |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-baldwin-takes-quiet/151775418/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1B |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064817/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-baldwin-takes-quiet/151775418/ }} {{Open access}}</ref>

=== Other events ===
In 1974, initial plans were made for the track to host a music festival that was organized by the organizers of [[Woodstock]]; the organizers had chosen the track party because "people could take drugs in there and not be bothered by law enforcement." Then-general manager Don Naman, who was a devout [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], refused because he thought the festival "wasn’t nice for the community".<ref name=":13253">{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Carl |date=May 1, 1985 |title=Speedway once rejected $2 million bid |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-speedway-once-rej/151394393/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=F1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064853/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-speedway-once-rej/151394393/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In 2024, the track hosted the Foodie’s Food Culture Festival, a food truck event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norwood |first=Chris |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Head to the track for a food truck snack |url=https://www.annistonstar.com/free/head-to-the-track-for-a-food-truck-snack/article_f864cb3a-34f4-11ef-a000-3793ef9efaee.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240720001734/https://www.annistonstar.com/free/head-to-the-track-for-a-food-truck-snack/article_f864cb3a-34f4-11ef-a000-3793ef9efaee.html |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=[[The Anniston Star]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Lap records==

As of April 2024, the fastest official lap records at Talladega Superspeedway (formerly Alabama International Motor Speedway) are listed as:

{| class="wikitable"
!Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Event
|-
! colspan=5 | D-shaped Tri-Oval: 4.281 km (1969–present)<ref name="talladega_msportmagazine">{{cite web |title=Talladega - Motor Sport Magazine |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/circuits/talladega/ |access-date=30 July 2024 |website=[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport Magazine]]}}</ref><ref name='talladega_rcircuits'>{{cite web |title=Talladega Superspeedway - Racing Circuits |url=https://www.racingcircuits.info/north-america/usa/talladega-superspeedway.html |website=RacingCircuits.info |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[NASCAR Cup Series|NASCAR Cup]] || '''0:46.530'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 NASCAR Cup Series 1000Bulbs.com 500 |url=https://www.racingyears.com/race/2019_NASCAR_Cup_Series_1000Bulbs.com_500 |date=14 October 2019 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref> || [[Parker Kligerman]] || [[Toyota Camry]] || [[2019 1000Bulbs.com 500]]
|-
| [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|NASCAR Xfinity]] || '''0:48.695'''<ref>{{cite web |title=NASCAR XFINITY 2018 Talladega Fastest Laps |url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/results/2018/talladega-190505/?st=FL |date=28 April 2018 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref> || [[Joe Nemechek]] || [[Chevrolet Camaro (sixth generation)#NASCAR|Chevrolet Camaro SS]] || [[2018 Sparks Energy 300]]
|-
| [[NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series|NASCAR Truck]] || '''0:48.875'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 NASCAR Truck Series Chevrolet Silverado 250 |url=https://www.racingyears.com/race/2020_NASCAR_Truck_Series_Chevrolet_Silverado_250 |date=3 October 2020 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref> || [[Trevor Bayne]] || [[Chevrolet Silverado#Motorsport|Chevrolet Silverado]] || [[2020 Chevrolet Silverado 250]]
|-
| [[ARCA Menards Series|ARCA Menards]] || '''0:51.429'''<ref>{{cite web |title=2024 ARCA General Tire 200 |url=https://www.racingyears.com/race/2024_ARCA_General_Tire_200 |date=20 April 2024 |access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> || [[Gus Dean]] || [[Toyota Camry]] || [[2024 General Tire 200 (Talladega)|2024 General Tire 200]]
|-
! colspan=5 | Road Course: 6.437 km (1969–1989)<ref name='talladega_msportmagazine' /><ref name='talladega_rcircuits' />
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Experimental|IMSA GTX]] || '''1:53.400'''<ref name='talladega_1978'>{{cite web |title=Talladega 6 Hours 1978 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Talladega-1978-04-02.html |date=2 April 1978 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref> || [[Peter Gregg (racing driver)|Peter Gregg]] || [[Porsche 935]] || [[1978 IMSA GT Championship|1978 6 Hours of Talladega]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA GT]] || '''1:56.600'''<ref name='talladega_1976'>{{cite web |title=Talladega 120 Miles 1976 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Talladega-1976-08-07.html |date=7 August 1976 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref> || Michael Keyser || [[Chevrolet Monza#Motorsports|Chevrolet Monza]] || [[1976 IMSA GT Championship|1976 'Bama 200]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Over|IMSA GTO]] || '''2:04.327'''<ref>{{cite web |title=200 mile Talladega 1972 |url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Talladega-1972-08-05-2673.html |date=5 August 1972 |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref> || Tony DeLorenzo || [[Chevrolet Corvette (C3)|Chevrolet Corvette]] || [[1972 IMSA GT Championship|1972 Inver House 'Bama 200]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#American Challenge|IMSA AAC]] || '''2:07.130'''<ref name='talladega_1978' /> || [[Gene Felton]] || [[Buick Skylark]] || [[1978 IMSA GT Championship|1978 6 Hours of Talladega]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT classes#Grand Touring Under|IMSA GTU]] || '''2:08.200'''<ref name='talladega_1976' /> || [[Elliot Forbes-Robinson]]{{efn|name=Talladega IMSA GTU FL|All three drivers took the same lap time independently on the same race.}} Brad Frisselle{{efn|name=Talladega IMSA GTU FL|All three drivers took the same lap time independently on the same race.}} Dave White{{efn|name=Talladega IMSA GTU FL|All three drivers took the same lap time independently on the same race.}} || [[Nissan Fairlady Z (S30)#Racing|Datsun 240Z]]{{efn|name=Talladega IMSA GTU FL|All three drivers took the same lap time independently on the same race.}} [[Nissan Fairlady Z (S30)#Racing|Datsun 240Z]]{{efn|name=Talladega IMSA GTU FL|All three drivers took the same lap time independently on the same race.}} [[Porsche 911 (classic)#Motorsport|Porsche 911 S]]{{efn|name=Talladega IMSA GTU FL|All three drivers took the same lap time independently on the same race.}} || [[1976 IMSA GT Championship|1976 'Bama 200]]
|-
|}

== In popular culture ==
[[File:Dangerous, Inconvenient Sticker (51524119371).jpg|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|A car used in the filming of ''[[Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby]]'', a 2006 movie considered one of the most beloved auto racing-related films.]]
''[[Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby]],'' a collaborative movie project of [[NASCAR]] and [[Sony Pictures]] starring [[Will Ferrell]], was released on August 4, 2006.<ref name=":13227">{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Michael |date=June 17, 2005 |title=Sports, Hollywood double-teaming core audiences |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-sports-hollywood-dou/151329173/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 14, 2024 |work=[[The Leaf-Chronicle]] |pages=B7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[USA Today]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064917/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-sports-hollywood-dou/151329173/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13228">{{Cite news |last=Creed |first=Jimmy |date=June 23, 2005 |title=Ferrell's NASCAR flick still on track, Talladega title not |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ferrells-nascar-flick/151329209/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 14, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ferrells-nascar-flick/151329278/ 3C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055818/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-ferrells-nascar-flick/151329209/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13229">{{Cite news |last=Strickland |first=Bran |date=February 10, 2006 |title='Dega hits big screen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dega-hits-big-screen/151330908/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 14, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dega-hits-big-screen/151330927/ 2C] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055824/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-dega-hits-big-screen/151330908/ }} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=":13230">{{Cite news |last=Fryer |first=Jenna |date=August 3, 2006 |title='Talladega Nights' a sign of circuit's comfort |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-talladega-ni/151348243/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064819/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-talladega-ni/151348243/ |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |access-date=July 14, 2024 |work=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |pages=50 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The movie was mostly produced in [[North Carolina]], with some scenes for the movie's ending shot at Talladega during the [[2005 UAW-Ford 500]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Emanuel |date=July 20, 2006 |title=Talladega Nights with Adam McKay |url=https://emanuellevy.com/interviews/talladega-nights-with-adam-mckay-4/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=Emanuel Levy Cinema |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129210707/https://emanuellevy.com/interviews/talladega-nights-with-adam-mckay-4/ }}</ref><ref name=":13231">{{Cite news |last=Fleming |first=Natalie |date=October 6, 2005 |title=Movie crew shoots scenes at Talladega |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-movie-crew-shoots-scen/151346359/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 14, 2024 |work=[[The Anniston Star]] |pages=6C |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717055805/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-movie-crew-shoots-scen/151346359/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> It is considered one of the most beloved racing-related movies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinelli |first=Michelle R. |date=May 7, 2017 |title=Why NASCAR fans love 'Talladega Nights' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2017/05/07/why-fans-love-the-talladega-nights-caricature-of-nascar-culture/101403460/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=[[USA Today]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064825/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2017/05/07/why-fans-love-the-talladega-nights-caricature-of-nascar-culture/101403460/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCarter |first=Mark |date=October 22, 2016 |title=Mark McCarter: 'Talladega Nights' had caricatures that soared |url=https://www.annistonstar.com/news/state/mark-mccarter-talladega-nights-had-caricatures-that-soared/article_ef04ff3c-98a4-11e6-a494-cf766866418a.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240715044011/https://www.annistonstar.com/news/state/mark-mccarter-talladega-nights-had-caricatures-that-soared/article_ef04ff3c-98a4-11e6-a494-cf766866418a.html |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=[[The Anniston Star]] |language=en}}</ref>

Parts of the 1983 movie ''[[Stroker Ace]]'' were filmed at the track.<ref name=":13267">{{Cite news |last=Amann |first=Sandy |date=July 6, 1983 |title='Stroker Ace' is movie to test your humor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-stroker-ace-is/151730424/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |work=[[Birmingham Post-Herald]] |pages=E1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723064820/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-stroker-ace-is/151730424/ }} {{Open access}}</ref> In 2005, parts of an episode for [[The Amazing Race 8|the eighth season of ''The Amazing Race'']] were filmed there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sellers |first=Andrea |date=October 19, 2005 |title=The Schroeder family becomes the fourth team eliminated from 'The Amazing Race: Family Edition' |url=https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-schroeder-family-becomes-fourth-team-eliminated-from-the-amazing-race-family-edition-3765.php |url-status=live |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=Reality TV World |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308233340/https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/the-schroeder-family-becomes-fourth-team-eliminated-from-the-amazing-race-family-edition-3765.php }}</ref> In 2010, ''[[The Legend of Hallowdega]]'', a [[mockumentary]] film produced by [[RadicalMedia]] as part of an [[Amp Energy]] advertising campaign that poked fun at the alleged Talladega Curse was released on Halloween.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Matt |date=October 8, 2010 |title=First Look at Terry Gilliam's Short Film THE LEGEND OF HALLOWDEGA Starring David Arquette and Justin Kirk |url=https://collider.com/the-legend-of-hallowdega-terry-gilliam-trailer-poster-david-arquette-justin-kirk/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723065327/https://collider.com/the-legend-of-hallowdega-terry-gilliam-trailer-poster-david-arquette-justin-kirk/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheek |first=Adam |date=April 19, 2023 |title='The Legend of Hallowdega' Lives |url=https://frontstretch.com/2023/04/19/reel-racing-the-legend-of-hallowdega-lives/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2024 |website=Frontstretch |language=en-US |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225217/https://frontstretch.com/2023/04/19/reel-racing-the-legend-of-hallowdega-lives/ }}</ref> Four years later, [[Eric Church]]'s "[[Talladega (song)|Talladega]]" mentioned attending auto racing events at the track.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |last=Roland |first=Tom |date=October 2, 2014 |title=Eric Church's 'Talladega' Circles A Defining Rite Of Passage |url=http://www.billboard.com/files/biz/pdf/2013/BCU_mw_1002r.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220151033/http://www.billboard.com/files/biz/pdf/2013/BCU_mw_1002r.pdf |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2014 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Gayle |date=October 9, 2014 |title=Eric Church Says 'Talladega' is 'Really About Life' |url=https://theboot.com/eric-church-talladega-the-outsiders/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2024 |website=The Boot |language=en |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709225217/https://theboot.com/eric-church-talladega-the-outsiders/ }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline|Talladega Superspeedway}}

{{Navboxes
|list={{Birmingham Landmarks}}
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{{Talladega, Alabama}}
}}

[[Category:NASCAR tracks]]
[[Category:Motorsport venues in Alabama]]
[[Category:ARCA Menards Series tracks]]
[[Category:International Race of Champions tracks]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Talladega County, Alabama]]
[[Category:IMSA GT Championship circuits]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Talladega County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1969]]
[[Category:1969 establishments in Alabama]]