Talladega

alabakiwi · Post by **alabakiwi** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:14 pm

I finally had the chance to go to Talladega Superspeedway for the Aaron's 499 this weekend (with an Aussie, no less). Here are a few pics I took.

People watching alone was worth the price. You're allowed to bring in your own beer as long as it's in a soft cooler.

I had a nice betting pool going until this: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=10568996

deejaybee · Post by **deejaybee** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:11 am

Talladega, Sweet as.

BYO beer

The crowds are perhaps the best part of NASCAR, despite them being rednecks...

How is the viewing of the cars as they go past? Sometimes you would be lucky to see the roofs as they go past...

HoldenV8 · Post by **HoldenV8** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:42 am

Man you were just down from the start finish line. Awesome place being right near turn 1. I'd love to experience that in the USA at least once in my life. Closest I've got to a NASCAR race was when the Aussie series raced here at Adelaide International Raceway's bowl back in the mid to late 90's.

Great pics alabakiwi. Talladega, the worlds fastest closed circuit race track. Freaking awesome.

Egan · Post by **Egan** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:19 am

I only saw one black man

Nice photos.

alabakiwi · Post by **alabakiwi** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:43 am

By around 3pm there were a lot of people passed out under the stands. We were in the Talladega stand, which is literally a mile walk from the entrance.

I'm not actually a car race fan but I'd definitely go again ... you can't replicate the sound and speed on TV. To see 40 cars going 220 mph literally bumper to bumper was amazing and then to see the crash, well that was cool.

Simmo79 · Post by **Simmo79** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:24 am

why is it a 499 mile race?

dibo · Post by **dibo** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:31 am

that race had an absolute monster crash too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYyfN-a55w0

alabakiwi · Post by **alabakiwi** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:39 pm

It's the 499 because according to Wikipedia:

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron%27s_499)

The name is derived from a sponsorship agreement with the Aaron's chain of lease-to-own stores. The "499" advertised distance is designed to mimic the chain's tendencies to offer rentals "For $99" per month. Despite the name, the race is slightly over 500 miles in length.