International Motorsports Hall of Fame–Talladega

Talladega Superspeedway is an incredible race track.  Known as a tri-oval it is 2.66 miles long with the banking in the corners reaching 33 degrees of angle.  It is also the home of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

To be honest, my impression was that this place would only focus on NASCAR style racing and that there would be little else represented by this “hall of fame”.  I was wrong.

I pulled up to the building that was just before the main entrance to the superspeedway.

I decided to not only purchase an entry into the museum displays, but also add a van ride around the track.

Down the first hall was an indication that more than just NASCAR was spoken here.  The first area was an outside display with various forms of racing represented.

There was even Bobby Allison’s which was equipped with special turbine engines and propellers.  Bobby flew this plane himself as well as installing the engines and propellers.

There was an amazing speed boat:

And I hadn’t even gotten to the first indoor display.  This one did focus on the history of stock car racing which evolved into NASCAR.

The first car to race on the “beach” in Daytona was there:

There was this stock car raced by the famous Fireball Roberts and prepared by the legendary Smokey Yunick.  For the entire 1962 season at Daytona Fireball made a clean sweep of every event he entered and set a new lap record each time.  He was the first driver in history to win a 500 mile race with an average speed of over 150 mph.

In 1981 an unknown rookie from Massachusetts, Ron Bouchard drove this Buick to victory at the Talladega 500.

There is a lot of history on four wheels  in this building alone.

The next building had a lot more than stock cars:

If you ever wanted to know David Hobbs’ blood type here it is on his racing suit. “O” positive, what a regular guy.

The next building had cars from SCCA, Soapbox Derby, and many, many types of racing:

Finally it was time to catch the van for the tour of the tri-oval.  Our driver was also our guide and had more facts than an person could absorb, but it was an enlightening drive and it was particularly impressive to drive around and see the 33 degree banking which was four stories high.

What an amazing place this was.  I’m so glad that I didn’t just shrug it off as just another NASCAR place.  Take the time to put this one on your list.