Travel Log: Talladega

Stock-car racing may have its roots buried in Daytona's sand. It may have it's home built in the woods of North Carolina. But somewhere along the way up the East Coast, it took a detour and went through Talladega, Ala.

Attempting to travel to Talladega and get away from racing is like making it through this weekend without hearing the words "restrictor plate." So without fighting it, sit back, breathe in the aroma of melting rubber and Sunoco fumes, charcoal and port-o-johns, and enjoy a trip to a place that oozes racing character perhaps more than any other.

Timelines and historians tell us it was Hernando De Soto who waltzed into Alabama in 1540 on the lookout for gold amid the Native American settlements. And that's true.

But for 140,000 people on Sunday, they'll tell us the state's founding fathers arrived 420 years later carrying the names Allison and Farmer.

DID YOU KNOW?
Bobby Allison, who receives recognition as the father of NASCAR's famous Alabama Gang, actually grew up in Miami, Fla. Allison began racing in the late 1950s before searching for a better place to experience more competitive races. That's when he, his brother Donnie and close friend Red Farmer settled outside of Birmingham in the small suburb of Hueytown.

WHAT THE CITY OFFERS
International Motorsports Hall of Fame -- Think Talladega Superspeedway is fast? Try breaking the speed of sound in a car on land. That's what the Budweiser Rocket did on Dec. 17, 1979, when it clocked in at 739.666 mph at Edwards Air Force Base in California. That machine, as well as some of the most recognizable in motorsports, sits at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Vintage racecars, historical facts and motorsports memorabilia soak the Hall -- a must-see for any race fan. The 17th class will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony Thursday night.
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Davey Allison Memorial-Walk of Fame -- Covering an entire city block in downtown Talladega, the memorial is free to visitors and open year-round. The Walk of Fame honors members of racing's famed Alabama Gang, which were the first inductees and included Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Red Farmer and Neil Bonnett. But it is a tribute to NASCAR's top drivers, as well, with fans voting in each year's inductees.
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And for those who want to spend at least one day away from loud engines and the smell of burnt rubber ...

DeSoto Caverns Park -- Go deep down into the underbelly of Alabama's big cave at DeSoto Caverns. The feature room is 12 stories high and larger than a football field with formations encompassing the walls and ceiling. But the cavern isn't the only attraction as the park offers activities such as gemstone panning and a Lost Trail Maze.
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Cheaha Resort State Park -- Go to the top of Alabama, literally, by visiting Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet above sea level. Scenery for a sunset, hiking toward the blue skies or preserving the Southern beauty with a photograph, the state park is a way to get away whether it's for an hour or for the entire weekend.
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MUST-VISIT RESTAURANT
The Victoria -- Transform a photo of true Southern Alabama into real life, and you have The Victoria. The country inn, hotel and restaurant is located in historic downtown Anniston, a 30-minute drive east of the superspeedway. The property's centerpiece is the main home, a restored Southern mansion reflecting Queen Anne Victorian architecture. On the menu is fresh seafood daily as well as Southern staples, beef, pork or chicken.
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WEATHER FORECAST
Partly cloudy and near the 80s all weekend. Slight chance of storms Saturday and Sunday. Click here for the complete forecast.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL
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