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Talladega Infield
I know its early but i couldn't help talking about Talladega's infield. As most people know, the infield at a race is one of the coolest places to be on a Friday or Saturday night. I wouldn't say its the best place to watch the race, but it sure has its perks. Talladega takes the cake when it comes to the most outrageous infield on the circuit. I think most racers will agree that it doesn't get any crazier than Talladega. After the track closes on Friday alot of the guys on the different teams go into the infield to check out the latest and greatest. Some don't make it back to the hotel if the party is good enough. For the most part the team guys will just walk around and check out all the new racing inventions that the fans have come up with for the upcoming season. It would be safe to compare it to Mardi Gras, not as crazy, but close. Everyone in there has there own beads. Most of the girls will do what it takes to get the most beads, and that where the fun starts. The funniest part about the whole experience is Sunday mornings when we get to the track. It looks like a war field, bodies just laying all over the place, some clothed and some not. The ones that are still standing aren't standing strait up, and there are a few stragglers that are still hanging on to that last beer and cant put it down. Got to love these kinds of fans. If you've never spent the night in the infield and your a true race fan, you need to check it out. If you have, I want to here about it. Always curious to here everything that goes on in the infield at other tracks besides Talladega.
April 12, 2005 in Race week | Permalink
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In the immortal words of my favorite philosopher Mr. Foxworthy, "It was like Jonestown, the morning after!"
Posted by: Sara | Apr 12, 2005 10:34:05 PM
I wouldn't go to the track any other way! The infield is the place to be. You're right, it's not the best angle to watch the race, you can't see the whole track, but it beats sitting in the stands for 4 hours! Texas is an awesome infield with some of the craziest fans around! Texas is like Mardi Gras too..with the beads, heck they even have beads that people want so bad they buy them from you! It's really cool! Everyone practically knows everyone! I'll be there in just a day and a half!
Posted by: Robin | Apr 13, 2005 1:41:47 PM
I came across your writings by accident and continue to read them. I live about twenty minutes from Dega and have for most of my life. I can remember going into the infield in the 80’s to visit friends of my parents and staying in their converted bus. I remember when there was a huge mud bog in the infield and the trucks would have a ball. I saw plenty of things but nothing really bad, probably because it was the same group of people twice a year and everyone knew everyone else. I have been to Atlanta, Bristol, & Daytona, but nothing beats Talladega for the party and the people. We have met some great people at the races from all over. I hate it that a few bad ones ruin it for the vast majority of great NASCAR fans. We have friends that live in Maryland that come in twice a year for the racing, food and fun. I love Dega.
Posted by: Serena | Apr 13, 2005 2:28:47 PM
Serena Ive heard of the mud pit back in the day. That was before my time, but Im sure some guys here at the shop remember it. You just cant beat Talladega.
Posted by: Trent | Apr 13, 2005 2:47:35 PM
I've camped on the infield of California Speedway at every race since 1998. If Taledega is the ultimate of infield parties... I am afraid! California is weird, wild, and suppercharged. If there are even wilder parties... I am afraid!
Posted by: Bruce Allen | Apr 13, 2005 5:26:48 PM
I've done the infield at Dega, and I'll agree it's a wild party, but it's pretty underpopulated. Lots of vast areas of no people. Michigan, on the other hand, is just as wild a time, and they are packed in there tightly on every square inch of real estate. The waiting list to get into the first three rows from the fence is years long.
On the other hand, having visited Atlanta's infield twice, I can say it is remarkably tame compared to the other two I mention. Older folks, family oriented, and nicer motorhomes as compared to the outrageous converted school buses, which you seem to see more of at Michigan than anywhere else.
Just my observations . . .
Posted by: Rick | Apr 13, 2005 7:45:22 PM
Dega, Ya gotta luv it!. I'm from the Dallas area and my girlfriend (Hooters) and I have been RVing to Dega twice a year since '99.
Oh yeah, its alot like Mardi Gras but better, its good-Ol down home knee slappin, body wag'n, good eatin southern hospitality. I agree the infield is like no other, its not for the faint of heart, or the jealous type. She has gotten some of the most unique beads I've ever seen, "She got um the 'Ol fashion way, she earned them".
For those who cannot get into the infield, don't feel left out there is thee unmentioned area just outside the track, called ' The Zoo'. That place will leave you shaking your head with a smile as big as a possum eatin pizza !!.
Posted by: Tim-adega | Apr 14, 2005 11:58:22 AM
Tim thats exactly what Im talking about. Thats the kind of stuff I need to know about. Had no idea about the zoo. sounds cool
Posted by: trent | Apr 14, 2005 12:22:47 PM
I believe what Tim mentioned is actually called the "Wazoo". It is a gathering place & essentials stop/camping area. It gets pretty rowdy on Saturday night. I started going to Dega in the early 80" when I was about 11 or 12 and have been almost every year twice a year. Hope to see you there in a few weeks.
Posted by: Serena | Apr 14, 2005 1:02:01 PM
Not to wear out my welcome, but my boyfriend has resigned himself to the fact that I am hopelessly in love (or is it lust) with Matt Borland. Everytime he is shown I immediately silence everyone in the room just so that I can admire him. I have been wanting to say this, but have been too shy. Everytime you guys roll into Talladega, I am breaking out the binoculars to admire him from afar. Oh well....SIGH.....unrequited love is so painful.
Posted by: Serena | Apr 14, 2005 1:12:07 PM
Oh for gods sake Serena, thats funny. Matt is a good friend of mine and ill be sure to let him know that he has an admire.
Posted by: Trent | Apr 14, 2005 1:40:57 PM
Serena, you're right, there are alot of names for it. You mentioned, " it is a gathering place & essentials stop / camping area. I can agree with that in the light of a different color, I have not seen it as a 'depot' type area, but I can say " It is a place of gathering, to view the bare essentils, to set up camp but never sleep"... the 'zoo' part of it is, you go to the zoo, view the animals, then leave with some great stories.
Posted by: Tim | Apr 14, 2005 1:40:57 PM
Never been to the Dega infield, but have camped in the free and paid camping outside of I believe it's turn 2. It's crazy and wild and we all have a really fun time. Haven't missed a race there in years and have been there every time that Junior has won.
Bring on Daledega in 2 weeks!!!
Posted by: Cheryl | Apr 14, 2005 7:50:38 PM
Oh, no.....Serena, I wouldn't describe mine as a crush, but I definitely think Borland has a sexy voice. I've been guilty of cruising over to the #12's channel on the in-car audio...just because. *sigh* Glad to see I'm not the only one!
Posted by: Sara | Apr 17, 2005 11:16:23 PM
Hi there boys and girls,
Never been to a race before, but I am going to 'Dega in 2 weeks. We are camping. What do I need to know before I go (e.g. what to bring-besides beer and food)
Thanks for any help.
Posted by: Jamie | Apr 18, 2005 8:51:57 AM
Jamie what ever you bring, dont plan on coming back with. It's crazy down in Dega and you dont want to be worried about your best cloths gettin messed up. Put on some camo's and go for it. Bring lots of beads and you ll have a blast.
Posted by: trent | Apr 18, 2005 9:01:33 AM
I have been going to Texas for the last couple of years. We camp outside of the track in turn 3. It is one big party! Friday night, Saturday night, even Sunday night for the ones that stay. I have been describing it as being like Mardi gras but better! Mardi gras at night then we have a race durning the day, then do it again at night. We even have friends that aren't big into watching the race but they love to come for the party. It is crazy,and and we had wonderful weather this year, cant wait for the fall race.
Posted by: Bryan | May 8, 2005 9:55:56 AM
My dad's first time to a race, have been watching it on TV many years, I would like to do a Fathers Days present. He as a 36' motor home and would like for him to be in the "infield: as I am told it is called. Can You please help with a direction to go for I have no idea.
You have a nice site with lots of info.
Thank you,
Cindy Hasty
cindio40@cs.com
Posted by: Cindy | May 14, 2005 8:40:05 PM
I drove all the way down to Talladega from Northwest Indiana for the race...Not remembering how big the partying actually was!! I was too young to party the last time I was at a race at Talladega. But now that I'm 18, I guess it's ok.....Seeing that it is still illegal for me to drink, I bet I was just as tore up as half the people out there all weekend!! SHHH!!! I used to live about 20 minutes from the track until about 2001. I knew I was making a mistake by moving away from Alabama. Thursday night was the most energy-filled night of my life. I was anxious to get on the road, and I was dying to party with my old friends at the race. When we got there on Friday morning, my friends told me that "Tonight will be one of the most wildest nights of my life." Well, it turned out to be pretty boring that night. We camped on Talladega boulevard not far from the dirt track. Now Saturday night was a different story!! There had to be hundreds of thousands of drunk people and naked women everywhere you turned. It was the best sight to see!!! I recommend to all of you nascar-partiers out there to go to Talladega Superspeedway and stay on the strip...DO NOT STAY IN THE INFIELD!!! (you won't get in as much trouble for things you do on the strip, because you won't get caught so easily!! LOL) I will never forget this weekend. It will always hold a special place in my heart. This next few weeks will be very emotional for me. Oh, and another thing. I just wanted to say Hi to someone that I haven't seen in almost 4 years that I just happened to run into at the track. I have missed you so so much Hailey. You look better than ever, and you're still the cute little Hailey that I left behind 5 years ago. I love ya, and I will see you again soon!!! Oh yea....I'm moving back this winter-I can't stand being away from the great state of Alabama. GIT-R-DUN!!!
Posted by: Brandon | Oct 4, 2005 9:56:27 PM
Alright, I'll admit I have never been to Talladega, but my boys and I are looking to make a trip down there in April.
I've got some questions that I hope people on this board will be able to help me out with. I know I'm going to sound like a novice but here they are:
1.) Where would be the best place to party Saturday, Saturday night, and during the race...strip, infield, or somewhere else?
2.) If we're coming from Atlanta, any ideas of where we could rent an RV, converted bus, or something?
We want to do this in style and are looking for some suggestions.
Thanks.
Posted by: Brad | Jan 13, 2006 3:55:32 PM
Hey Brad, Ive stayed on the infeild and outside in (the zoo) as its been called.For the money I'd stay outside.You can camp free all weekend.All you have to have is a sunday race ticket.The party is just as good inside if not better.The last trip I made was the spring race last year.We stayed friday and saturday night and left early sunday mourning so we could watch the race at home.And beat the traffic.
I don't know about renting a rv.We bought a pop-up camper for $400, stayed in it that weekend and sold it the next week for $600.
Before you go put a thought in the beads you bring. Those little cheap beads won't get you much action. You have to bring the more expensive ones. There are several web sites that sell the good ones. Look for the ones that have the cars on them.Of course the 8 car is the most popular. I had some with the 24 car, but I'd keep those out of sight, and give htem out by request only.If you can find some with the playboy bunny on them they work good too.
Posted by: Dave | Feb 4, 2006 2:08:53 AM
I'm right there with Brad. Me and the boys will be driving down from Richmond. We're camping in the West Park B lot. This will be our first journey down to Dega. We got 2 sites so that we could spread things like the Tiki Bar, the swimming pool w/ the built in shower at pool side. All is welcomed to stop by. Music should be loud, the grill should be hot and the beer should be heavily flowing. Poolside is wide open to all the females if they care to cool off or they've had too much to drink,,which ever comes first. Somebody let me know where the "Zoo" is. It may just be in my back yard. We'll see.
Posted by: Keith R. | Mar 6, 2006 3:30:52 PM
this is my first time in degaville and the boys im going with have already told me about it being better than mardi gras .. they told me to bring plenty of beads and suntan lotion.. only problem is i will be a rookie!!! come find me at turn 3 in the infield we are from wisconsin!!!!!!
see ya all soon
tommyv
Posted by: tommyv | Apr 10, 2006 7:18:49 PM
Last year on the Blvd we setup a bar and video camera and did "A Shot for Scott". I put together a dvd from that weekend and sent it to my buddy who was in Iraq at the time. Needless to say it was a hit and we will be back again on the blvd. This time Scott will be with us (USMC) - look for the new bar "A Shot with Scott"!!!
John
Posted by: JohnR | Apr 11, 2006 8:57:15 AM
I grew up in Anniston, and have been going to the races at Talladega since they first opened. In the early days, the place was wide open. The main entrance from Speedway Blvd. to the entrance to the North Tunnel was a camping area called "Little Oklahoma". It was pretty wild. And around behind turn 2 was "the ditch". I worked on the safety crew back then, assigned to an ambulance, and they'd send us to the ditch on Saturday and Sunday afternoons after the track activities to wait for someone to get clipped by one of the motorcycles or dune buggies racing through the mud. It never failed. We didn't mind because we were always treated to a muddy t-shirt contest! Some of them had so much mud on 'em though you couldn't tell if they were naked or not. Country singer Marty Robbins raced at Talladega for several years. His racecar had a leather covered dash and an 8-track tape player! On a couple of occasions he had a flatbed truck brought in, and he and his band would set-up and give a free concert on Saturday nights. Talladega's tradition has always been great racing, great race fans and a great party. I wouldn't miss it for anything!
Posted by: Brother Al | Apr 23, 2006 11:22:01 AM
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