By Shaun Szkolnik, sports editor
TALLADEGA — Already one of the premier tracks in America, the Talladega Superspeedway is looking to stay in the victory lane by creating a modern new infield project that is set to arrive fall of 2019.
This transformation, as the Talladega Superspeedway is calling it, will build upon what already makes the speedway so special while integrating cutting edge technology to create spaces in the infield where fans can experience the facility in a way that has never been possible before.
The redevelopment is estimated to cost around $50 million dollars and promises new attractions with amenities that have been enhanced and designed to appeal to fans, sponsors, teams and stakeholders alike.
Some of the new features will include an interactive garage fan zone experience, Wi-Fi enabled garage fan zone experience, open-air club with up-close garage viewing, garage suites, new pit road club, new Gatorade victory lane, exclusive social areas, premium RV camping with power and water hook-ups, infield shower trailers, a new Turn 3 oversized vehicle tunnel that will be open 24 hours a day, and food and beverage stands.
Much of the construction will commence immediately after the spring race, however one of the showcases of the project, a new oversized vehicle tunnel, has already been completed.
Lance Taylor, president of Taylor Corporation, which is in charge of construction, made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday.
“That tunnel is open today,” Taylor said. “It is a big day for us…I got to give the guys a lot of credit. It’s not me, there is a team of us out there getting that done.”
As part of the ceremony, opening the tunnel, the first vehicle to make its way through was John Ray’s truck cab, a staple at the track, with NASCAR driver Jeffrey Earnhardt going along for the ride.
For Earnhardt, the Talladega Superspeedway has a special significance. As the grandson of Dale Earnhardt and the nephew of Dale Jr., his family has a lot of history in Talladega and he is excited to make his debut on the track this spring.
“My grandfather was the best here,” said Earnhardt during a press conference. “It was incredible what he was able to accomplish. Getting around this track, and to be able to carry on that legacy of just dominance that my whole family has shown here at the speedway, would be incredible, and to put the iK9 Toyota in the victory lane would be one heck of a way to start our first cup race for Xtreme Concepts Racing.”