The word Talladega in and of itself is an intimidating word, but the track itself possesses an amazing and even frightening history. This track brings back so many memories of fans, drivers, commentators, and crews alike.

It was the place where Dale Earnhardt Sr. won ten times. And his son followed in his footsteps, winning multiple races in a row. This is in fact the last place that “the Intimidater” (Earnhardt Sr.) won at. Ironic, Nascar’s most intimidating drivers won his last race at Nascar’s most intimidating track.

Talladega is 2.66 miles long, and is banked at an incredible 33 degrees. That’s the steepest track in Nascar! It is located on an ancient indian burial grounds. I’m not superstitious, but that is very ironic. The thought of ancient indian burial grounds is another of those intimidating things. Some people are rather superstitious though.

This is the track where Bobby Issac, a champion in what is now the Sprint Cup Series, pulled off the track while leading. He claimed that a “voice” told him he would die if he drove another lap that day. He never raced again. That is strange indeed. It just added to Dega’s reputation.

About thirty years ago Nascar didn’t have restricter-plates on engines to slow cars down. But in 1987, all that changed. Bobby Allison was wrecked on the front-stretch at Dega, and was thrown into the air. He nearly flew over the fence. While no fans were killed, several were badly injured. Form then on Talladega and Daytona race cars had restricter-plates.

Not all of Talladega’s history is frightening though. In 2011, Cup drivers discovered the two car tango, a form of racing where one car pushes another. It made some of the most exciting finishes in history. Especially in the Spring Dega race in 2011. Four tandems of drivers swapped the lead over the final two laps. Coming to the finish line Jeff Gordon was being pushed by Mark Martin, and to their outside was the duo of Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick. As Gordon focused on blocking Bowyer, the duo of Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove to the inside of Gordon. As they crossed th line Jimmie was 0.002 of a second ahead of Clint. Gordon was third. This tied for the closest finish in history.

In 2008 Tony Stewart had a slow season, but is one ray of sunshine came at the Fall Dega race. Stewart was in the lead and blocking rookie Regan Smith as they approached the finish line. Smith tried the high lane, but Tony blocked. Then Regan went low. He squeezed below Stewart, and just out inched him to the line. But there was a problem. Smith had made his pass below the yellow line, which is illegal. The win was taken from Regan and given to “Smoke”. While some people say that Tony forced Regan below the line, the call stood, and Tony won his first, (and only), race of 2008.

Talladega. The word can send chills up your spine, or bring back great memories. Either is fun. It has some of the most amazing finishes and races in the history of motorsports. One word describes Talladega, and every person who has watched this race would agree. WILD!