@nascarcasm’s track facts: Talladega

You know all about the action and excitement that Talladega Superspeedway delivers on track. But here are some things about the legendary superspeedway that you might not know. And if you do, thanks for the click anyways.

As legend has it, the track is built on an ancient Indian burial ground, which some say accounts for the many strange happenings there. While this has never been proven, this myth has its share of believers – not entirely shocking when you consider the same people probably think that cars driving in a circle keeps the rain away.

Its physical address is actually in the small town of Lincoln, Alabama – 10 or so miles north of the actual town of Talladega. Regardless, they picked the right name. “Lincoln” doesn’t sound as cool as “Talladega.” Plus it doesn’t abbreviate well. “IT’S ‘COLN, BABY” just doesn’t work at all.

During the August race at Talladega in 1973, Bobby Isaac did not finish. Crash? No. Mechanical woes? No. Rather, he said he heard strange voice telling him that he needed to get out of the car immediately. Isaac obeyed. He informed team owner Bud Moore of his intentions, pulled into the pits, exited the car and went home. Suddenly your skepticism about the first slide of this gallery has abated.

OK, so it goes like this – the fastest NASCAR lap on record ever turned at Talladega Superspeedway is Bill Elliott’s famous 212.809 during qualifying in 1987. BUT PLOT TWIST. In 2004, during what was merely a test of radio equipment, Rusty Wallace ran a lap at an astonishing 216.309. BUT, it wasn’t a NASCAR-sanctioned event. So Awesome Bill is the fastest on record, but Wallace is the fastest overall. We can just agree that both were flat flyin’ and move on.

Who needs a green screen, really? For filming purposes, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly and Sacha Baron Cohen were introduced in character before the October race (With Sacha…er, Jean Girard supposedly receiving a hostile reaction). The climax to the film (The foot race to the finish line) was filmed the day before, prior to the start of the ARCA race. According to IMDB.com, the camera angles were set specifically to keep pit road out of the frame – where the ARCA cars were already lined up.

His margin? One lap and 50 seconds. Kid you not. They could have done the winner’s on-track interview and then stepped aside as the second-place car crossed the line.

In 1985 at Talladega Superspeedway, she became the first woman to run a lap on a closed course in excess of 200 mph. It is one of countless records and accolades she earned throughout her career. Lyn – we bow to you.

In 1994, he said the following words before the start of the race – “Gentlemen, energize your ground craft.” Hey, he can say what he wants. He’s the second man to ever set foot on the moon, no matter WHAT Ryan Newman tells you.

The two closest finishes ever have a margin of .002 seconds. The first was of course Ricky Craven’s 2003 victory over Kurt Busch at Darlington Raceway, and the second was in 2011 at Talladega Superspeedway and you’re looking at it. It was the tandem-racing era, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. shoved Jimmie Johnson to the win by like, half a hair. Bobby Allison from a few slides ago is wondering why they made it that close.