AT LAST! Clear Weather Forecast For Talladega

Hamlin goes for two in a row

After three consecutive weeks of troublesome weather at Texas, Bristol and Richmond, Talladega Superspeedway is trumpeting a “Chamber of Commerce” forecast for this weekend’s (May 1-3) GEICO 500 weekend.

“Our meteorologist friends say we have ‘picture perfect’ weather for the weekend, and that makes us extremely excited,” said Talladega Superspeedway chairman Grant Lynch. “With beautiful sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s and lower 80s expected, it will be an impeccable time for families young and old alike to enjoy all the thrills that Talladega Superspeedway has to offer – the best racing in motorsports and second-to-none social atmosphere.”

In addition to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series GEICO 500, the NASCAR XFINITY Series Winn-Dixie 300 and ARCA Racing Series International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 are all on tap. Friday’s schedule includes practice for both NASCAR series, as well as practice, qualifying and the ARCA International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200.

Saturday features Coors Light Pole Award Qualifying for the GEICO 500, as well as XFINITY Series qualifying and the Winn-Dixie 300.

Don't miss "The Big One on the Blvd"

Sunday’s GEICO 500 gets the green flag at noon (CST) on Sunday, with Denny Hamlin looking to become the first repeat winner of the spring classic since Jeff Gordon pulled off the feat in 2004-05. Gordon, meanwhile, will make his final GEICO 500 start as the circuit’s winningest active driver with six Talladega victories.

Talladega recently announced a list of fan upgrades, including larger Sprint Vision digital high-definition video screens on the frontstretch. Two of the video boards now measure a mammoth 40’ x 80’ in size and will have permanent homes behind pit road in the tri-oval area. One will be located atop Gatorade Victory Lane, with the other in front of the Media Center. Another permanent 26’ x 52’ video board will be located at the exit of Turn Four near the Infield Care Center. Other screen locations include the Start/Finish Line (26’x ’52), Turn One (18’ x 33’), along with the Alabama Gang Superstretch (20’ x 27’).

Talladega’s infamous Saturday Night Concert, near Talladega Blvd, will be headlined by country music maverick and Columbia Nashville recording artist Chase Rice, with special guests Buddy Brown & Dee Jay Silver. Brown opens at 7:30 pm followed by Dee Jay Silver at 8:30 pm. Rice takes the stage at 9:00 pm. The concert has become a popular event at Talladega Superspeedway, and is free with the purchase of a Sunday GEICO 500 ticket.

The track will also present its annual “Big One on the Boulevard” Friday, with a Mardi Gras-style parade on Talladega Blvd., kicking off at 7:30 pm and featuring top drivers Clint Bowyer, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Brad Keselowski, Brendon Gaughan, Ryan Blaney, Michael Waltrip, Kyle Larson and Greg Biffle. They will oversee countless activities such as the “Angry Wieners” competitive eating contest; “Body Pong,” an individual game of skill and luck featuring liquid filled balloons; and the infamous BBQ Sauce Wrestling matches.