Know where your seats are, if you're going to Talladega, and plan where to park to prevent an unnecessarily long walk. Credit: Autostock

Tailgating: Talladega

Talladega Superspeedway is over-the-top excitement-- on the track and in the parking lots. Navigating the wild crowds will take some planning, but a fun and carefree weekend will be your payoff.

TALLADEGA •   Buy tickets •   Book your last-minute travel! •   Track Page •   Official Web site

From the east via I-20: Exit 173 (Eastaboga) and proceed west on Speedway Blvd. Parking lots 2N, 3N and 1E-5E lots will provide the easiest exiting. Parking lots 1W-4W will also provide good parking, but it's a little longer in exiting. (Good if your seats are near Turn 4)

From the west via I-20: Exit 168 (Lincoln/Talladega.) Take State Hwy 77 south. Then go east on Speedway Blvd. Parking lots 8W-11W and 1N and 4N will provide the easiest exiting. Lots 5W and 6W would also provide good parking, but takes a little longer in exiting. (Good if you're seats are near turn 1)

Some other roads that run north and south: Hwy 431, Hwy 77, county roads 97, 399, 423, 97 and 005. Some other roads that run east and west: Hwy 78/4, Hwy 202, county roads 374 and 354.

For helpful traffic tips and information during race weekend, listen to WTDR Thunder 92.7 FM, which will broadcast regular updates.

ALDOT has an interactive traffic map.
Check the speedway's traffic routes for inbound and outbound traffic.
Also: Birmingham traffic | Atlanta traffic

Each guest is allowed to bring into Talladega superspeedway:

• One 6"x6"x12" or smaller soft-sided cooler or insulated bag
• One clear plastic bag (18"x18"x4"or smaller). No ice allowed in clear plastic bags
• Items such as binoculars, radio scanners, cameras and seat cushions carried or on a belt

Day parking is free on speedway property. Because Talladega is suge a large track, it is important to plan where you park. If you are coming from the east and your seats are in Turn 4, you do not want to go past the speedway and park in a lot outside of Turn 1. If you do, you will have to hike a long distance to your seat after sitting in traffic. Check Talladega's parking lots, inbound and outbound traffic maps.

Credit: Autostock

There are more than 600 acres of free camping at Talladega. Remember: the tailgating at Talladega is among the wildest on the circuit, so try to set up near like-minded neighbors!

There are 12 speedway owned RV lots that are reserved on the outside of the track ranging in price from $60 to $1,550.

There are many private camping and parking areas near Talladega -- on Speedway Blvd, Industry Way, Allen Road, Jackson Trace Road, Summer Dale Lane and Tipton Road.

Davey Allison Walk of Fame, Saturday, 5 - 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall Museum. Reception at 7 p.m. at Davey Allison Memorial Park. More info

Anniston Museum of Natural History - Displays include dinosaurs and fossils, a 400-species bird collection, authentic Egyptian mummies, walk-through replica of an Alabama cave, children's discovery room, nature trails and changing art exhibits. Also in Anniston is Berman Museum of World History which has many historical objects from several American wars.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens - the oldest municipally owned garden in Alabama. 67 acres with more than 25 display gardens and the largest clearspan greenhouse in Southeast.

There is plenty more to do in Birmingham, including the Civil Rights Institute, the Birmingham Zoo, Children's Theatre and the Five Points South Historic District.

Jo Ann Hlavac is the producer of Laidbackracing.com, a fan site devoted to NASCAR tailgating. The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.