Redneck Redline

The Track. 30 degree banked turns. Two mile long tri-oval. Four lanes wide, even in the turns. 220 mile per hour speed records.

If you like racing, Talladega is where it's at. Located just outside the small, southern town of Talladega, Alabama, the speedway has maintained the seat as the standard for closed track racing.

Nearby towns of Anniston, Oxford, Lincoln, and Pell City prove entertaining and inexpensive, but those who prefer to jet in and stay at a Hilton can stay in nearby Birmingham.

Quick Tips:

Look around for a lakeside rental on nearby Lake Logan Martin. Any realtor in Pell City can find accommodations there. Go in for the weekend - spend evenings on the lake and days at the racetrack, only 10 minutes away.

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving is it in Talladega, but then again, it should be that way, right?

The Victoria is a remodeled 1888 home with approximately 50 modern sleeping rooms added. Located in downtown Anniston, Alabama, only 30 minutes from the Talladega Speedway, it offers an opportunity to leave the grit and grime of NASCAR racing and enjoy southern hospitality at its finest.

Dining in the hotel restaurant proves to be a pleasant experience. Choose classic Southern food that includes cornbread, peas, and fresh vegetables, or a more modern fare when eating a bit lighter.

The pool area behind the hotel is a pleasant place to spend an evening any time of the year. In the southern tradition, you can get a drink, have a seat, and get ready to make some friends.

Choose from the modern rooms in the new additions, or the original bedrooms, decorated in the period styles of the late 19th century.

Reservations for race weekend may be required a year or more in advance.

Betty's Bar-B-Que has been a tradition in the Talladega/Anniston area for over 30 years. Serving "good old southern food" is their speciality, and rarely disappoints.

In addition to great BBQ, Betty's serves Southern classics like chicken fried steak, pork chops, and an array of vegetables that can't be beat.

Lunch hours can be crowded, and even in the evenings, if they're short on help, the service might be a bit slow. But go in ready to take your time and relax. They'll be friendly, and they'll serve you good food.

The biggest part of the Hall of Fame is the $15 million dollar collection of racing machines. From the early racing machines of the 1910's through the modern NASCAR racers, the museum has something to please every racing enthusiast.

Dale Earnhart fans will have an opportunity to see his first Chevy Lumina racing car. Also popular are the "winged" Dodge and Plymouth racers of the early 1970's

Wear comfortable shoes and allow 3 to 4 hours just to see the museum exhibits.

The dirt track is a trip back to the early days of oval racing, featuring slightly modified cars with numbers spray-painted on the sides.

One doesn't see a lot of speed here, but all the fender-bending, dust throwing, bounce-it-off-the-wall-and-keep-going racing one needs. Take a camera, take a cooler, and take your time. It's a long evening (8:00 pm - midnight) and a lot of fun.