Former Track Name: Alabama International Motor Speedway

May 2013 Pole Sitter: none, canceled due to rain

October 2012 Pole Sitter: #5-Kasey Kahne, 191.455mph, finished 12th

Track/Event Qualifying Record (no restrictor plate): Bill Elliott, April 1987, 212.809mph

Track/Event Qualifying Record (Restrictor Plate): Bill Elliott, May 1990, 199.388 (15/16th inch plate)

Oldest Pole Winner: Mark Martin, 52 years, 9 months, 14 days, 10/22/2011

Youngest Pole Winner: Jimmie Johnson, 26 years, 7 months, 4 days, 4/21/2002

May 2013 Race Winner: #34-David Ragan, 148.729mph, started 19th

October 2012 Race Winner: #17-Matt Kenseth, 171.194mph, started 15th

Track Race Record: Mark Martin, May 1997, 188.354mph

Slowest Race Record: Jeff Gordon, April 25, 2004, 129.396mph

Worst Starting Spot to Win: Jeff Gordon, April 2000, started 36th

Oldest Race Winner: Harry Gant, 52 years, 3 months, 26 days, May 1991

Youngest Race Winner: Bobby Hillin Jr., 22 years, 1 months, 22 days, July 1986

Most Wins: 10 - Dale Earnhardt

Most Wins - Active Driver: 6 - Jeff Gordon; 5 - Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Most Poles - All Time: 8, Bill Elliott

Most Poles - Active Driver: 4, Joe Nemechek

Most 2nd Place Finishes: 6, Tony Stewart 7 Buddy Baker

Most Top 5s - All Time: 23 - Dale Earnhardt

Most Top 5s - Active Driver : 15 - Jeff Gordon

Most Top 10s - All Time: 27 - Dale Earnhardt

Most Top 10s - Active Driver: 24 - Mark Martin; 23 - Terry Labonte

Most Lead Changes: 88 - 4/25/2010 & 4/27/2011

Fewest Lead Changes: 13 - 5/6/1973

Most Leaders: 29 - 4/25/2010

Fewest Leaders: 4 - 5/6/1973

Most Laps Led by a Leader: Pete Hamilton, August 1970, 153 laps

Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: Jeff Gordon, 10/7/2007 and Brad Keselowski, 4/26/2009, 1 lap led

Most Cautions: 11, 4/25/2004

Most Caution Laps: 62, 5/7/1972

Fewest Cautions: 0 - three times, most recent 10/6/2002

Fewest Caution Laps: 0 - three times, most recent 10/6/2002

Most on the Lead Lap: 31 - 10/31/2010

Fewest on the Lead Lap: 1 - two times, most recent 7/27/1986

Most Running at the Finish: 40 - 4/22/2001

Fewest Running at the Finish: 14 - 7/27/1986

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 39 - Chevy

First time Sprint Cup winners at Talladega:
Ten NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers won their first Sprint Cup race at Talladega. Of those 10, only Davey Allison, Ken Schrader, Brad Keselowski and Brian Vickers ever won another Sprint Cup race.
driver, career wins
Davey Allison, 19
Brad Keselowski, 9
Ken Schrader, 4
Brian Vickers, 2
Ron Bouchard, 1
Richard Brickhouse, 1
Dick Brooks, 1
Bobby Hillin Jr., 1
Phil Parsons, 1
Lennie Pond, 1.(4-27-2013)

A Record Fit for a King: Richard "The King" Petty won twice in 46 Talladega starts. But his two wins managed to set an unusual record. The first win came on August 11, 1974. The second came on May 1, 1983, setting the mark for longest stretch between wins at the 2.66-mile oval.(10-2-2004)

Slowest Cup race ever at Talladega 2004: A track record 11 caution periods over 55 laps caused the average speed to be 129.396mph, the slowest in a NASCAR Winston/Nextel Cup race at Talladega. The record (130.892) was set in 1975 in a race won by Buddy Baker.(4-27-2004)

Body of missing race fan found: Talladega County Sheriff Jimmy Kilgore said in a statement that "no foul play" is suspected at this time in the death of Georgia man Nicholas "Nick" Bower, whose body was found today after a search of more than a week. Bower disappeared May 4 after being seen the night before the race at Talladega Superspeedway. Kilgore said Bower's body was found shortly before noon in a creek at the Jackson Shoals area downstream from an old dam. The area is a short distance east from the bridge on Jackson Trace Road. Bower's body was discovered by searchers flying a helicopter over the area along the creek. Talladega County deputies and other law enforcement began an extensive search of the area around the track beginning last week, using boats and aircraft. Kilgore said Bower's body was found in tall grass in the middle of the creek. The body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy. "Verification of the cause of death is pending," the statement read.(Alabama Live)(5-15-2013)

Man reported missing after race at Talladega: The search is on for an Indiana man who went missing after the NASCAR race in Talladega this past weekend. Nicholas Bower, 27, grew up in Plainfield, IN but recently moved to Georgia for a job. Bower was last seen Saturday night sitting at a campsite with friends in the South Park area of the Talladega Superspeedway. He's described as a white male about 6 feet 4 inches tall and 185 pounds. Bower was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with "Fastenal" displayed on the front and a black "Fastenal" hat with a mesh back. Anyone with information about Bower's whereabouts is asked to call the Talladega County sheriff at 256-362-6117.(WBIW)(5-8-2013)

Two T-28 Trojan Aircraft to Perform Flyover at Talladega: Talladega Superspeedway fans are known for being patriotic, but this Sunday they will have more reason to feel proud to be an American a historic flyover takes them back to the earlier days of the speedway. Two combat veteran T-28 Trojan aircraft from the Museum of Flight, Chattanooga's Aviation Museum (TN) will soar above Talladega Superspeedway near the conclusion of the National Anthem to the road of thousands of fans, minutes before the start of the Aaron's 499 Sprint Cup Series Race at NASCAR's Most Competitive Track.
Lt. Col. Peyton "XMan" Dehart and Pete "Wheeler" O'Hare who both served in Vietnam, will pilot the aircraft, used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy beginning in the 1950s. The T-28 was successfully employed as a Counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft, primarily during the Vietnam War. They were produced from 1950-58 and was retired in 1994.
The flyover will occur at the end of the Star-Spangled Banner, which will be performed by recording artist Robin Meade, also host of HLN's "Morning Express with Robin Meade." Moments later, fans will be treated to Talladega's famous tradition of presenting an American flag on the back of a semi-truck as it barrels around the track. Sunday is guaranteed to become part of Talladega's patriotic lore. Both aircraft can now be seen close up at the Museum of Flight, Chattanooga Aviation Museum, located in the suburban community of Hixson, TN. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway May 3-5 for the Aaron's Dream Weekend. Experience the excitement as the superstars of NASCAR attempt to tackle the high-banks of 'DEGA at 200 mph. Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(5-3-2013)

Aaron's partners to help end hunger in Alabama: Aaron's, Inc. is partnering with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to host a can drive at one of the largest sporting events of the year  Aaron's Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, May 3-5. More than 200,000 NASCAR fans attending Aaron's Dream Weekend at NASCAR's Most Competitive Track will have an opportunity to help the hungry in Alabama by bringing canned food items to the Aaron's Corporate Display at the speedway, located just outside of the frontstretch grandstands. Throughout the weekend, Aaron's associates and can-drive volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food items such as canned meat, dry cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, paper towels, toilet paper and hygiene products. For more information on Aaron's Dream Weekend Can Drive, visit aarons.com/candrive.(TSS)(5-3-2013)

Alabama Crimson Tide Championship QB McCarron named Honorary Talladega Pace Car Driver: Talladega Superspeedway is proud to announce that the University of Alabama's quarterback AJ McCarron, who helped guide the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championship titles, will serve as the "Honorary Pace Car Driver" for the Aaron's 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, May 5. McCarron, who grew up just a few hours from Talladega Superspeedway in Mobile, AL, will get behind the wheel of a special Ford Mustang GT, the official pace car of Talladega's Aaron's 499 spring spectacular, and will lead the field of 43 cars around the track's incredible 33-degree banking before the start of the race. ""I have enjoyed races at Talladega before and have always had a passion to get up to speed on the track," said the two-time National Champion quarterback. "This is an incredible opportunity, and to be able to do it in front of the most famous drivers in the world, is something I am really looking forward to." This past Saturday, prior to the start of the annual A-Day spring game in Tuscaloosa, McCarron and his teammates were treated to the unveiling of a special Alabama National Championship paint scheme of Michael Waltrip's #55 Aaron's Toyota, which will compete in the Aaron's 499. "AJ has had such amazing success at Alabama, and that is known all over the country," said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. "We know the drivers and fans are going to be excited to have him here for the Aaron's 499. I'm sure as soon as the crowd sees him in our Ford Mustang GT Pace Car, there's going to be a lot of noise made." McCarron is beloved in the state of Alabama for leading the Crimson Tide to two consecutive BCS National titles. Alabama defeated LSU 21-0 in January of 2012 and repeated with a 42-14 victory over Notre Dame this past January. McCarron has the distinction of being the only quarterback to pull off such a feat (back-to-back titles) since the start of the BCS in 1998. In fact, since the 1950's, only three other QB's have won two straight. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway May 3-5 for the Aaron's Dream Weekend. Experience the excitement as the superstars of NASCAR attempt to tackle the high-banks of 'DEGA at 200 mph. Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(4-30-2013)

In wake of Boston bombings, NASCAR asks teams to be more vigilant: In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, NASCAR teams have been warned by the sanctioning body to be on the lookout for errant backpacks and other packages in the garage area. NASCAR called a special, crew chiefs-only meeting Saturday morning at Richmond International Raceway, asking race teams to increase their level of vigilance this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and beyond. The warning is not believed to be the result of any specific threat against NASCAR or Talladega Superspeedway, but part of a broader focus on safety at major sporting events across the country. "They asked us to keep our eyes open," said one NASCAR crewman, on the condition of anonymity. "They want us to monitor our garage stalls more closely, to make sure there is nothing there that doesn't belong. I didn't get the impression that there was any specific threat," he said. "It was just a request to stay vigilant."(Godfather Motorsports)(4-30-2013)

Chipper Jones to serve as Grand Marshal at Talladega: Former Major League Baseball icon Chipper Jones, believed by many to be a future "first-ballot" Hall of Famer, will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, May 5. Jones, who played for the Atlanta Braves throughout his entire 19-year career and was a fan-favorite across the country, will give the most famous command in all of motorsports to the 43-car field: "Drivers Start Your Engines!" Jones spent the last two decades establishing himself as one of the greatest switch-hitters in baseball history, second only to switch-hitters Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray in homeruns (468). The eight-time all-star, who retired following the 2012 season, was named the 1999 National League MVP, and helped the Braves win the World Series title that year. Chipper Jones joins other pre-race dignitaries AJ McCarron (University of Alabama quarterback) and Robin Meade (Country Music Recording Artist & CNN News Anchor), who will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver and National Anthem singer, respectively, prior to the Aaron's 499.(TSS)(4-30-2013)

Chris Young and Robin Meade to sing National Anthems at Talladega Two well-known national personalities  country music superstar Chris Young and noted news journalist and recording artist Robin Meade  have been selected to sing the National Anthems during Aaron's Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Young will give his rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" prior to the Saturday, May 4, Aaron's 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Meade will provide the fans with her version on Sunday, May 5, moments before the start of the Aaron's 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. In addition, Young will deliver Talladega fans an added bonus with a free Saturday night Infield Concert, held near the historic Talladega Boulevard.(TSS)(4-27-2013)

Talladega, Daytona to reinforce crossover gates: Two NASCAR tracks will reinforce their crossover gates with extra cables following the February Nationwide Series crash at Daytona International Speedway that injured at least 28 fans. Talladega Superspeedway, which hosts a pair of NASCAR races next weekend, has implemented the changes to all of their gates after an engineering firm hired by Daytona made the recommendations after reviewing data from the Feb. 23 crash. Kyle Larson's car made contact with a gate opening on the last lap, sending an engine, tire and debris flying into the stands and injuring several fans. Daytona track president Joie Chitwood III said the additional cables will be added for redundancy in the system. The track will also put tethers between the gate frame and the posts. That work will be completed in time for the July 5-6 races there. Chitwood said the removal of the gates was not considered, nor was it an option to move seats back further from the fence area. Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's senior vice president of operations, said Larson's car is still being evaluated and there will be no immediate changes made in regard to safety. In addition, O'Donnell said no changes are expected with the restrictor plate at Talladega next week  including a smaller plate that would slow the cars down.(USA Today)(4-25-2013)

Patrick to tour Talladega Boulevard, judge campsites: The world famous Talladega Boulevard, a strip of land in Talladega's infield known as NASCAR's "Party Capital" for providing fans with the most fun in all of motorsports, just got even better! When the Aaron's Dream Weekend rolls into Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick will walk the Boulevard, mingle with fans, and award a one-of-a-kind "Coke Zero Tailgate Champion" trophy to the best decorated campsite. Plans are for Danica to award the "Coke Zero Tailgate Champion" trophy Saturday afternoon, at some point following the conclusion of the Aaron's 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. The most notorious strip of real estate in NASCAR, Talladega Boulevard, is an innovative corridor like no other and has been a mainstay in NASCAR circles since the track was built in 1969. The Mardi Gras-type atmosphere of The Boulevard, complete with strings of beads and shenanigans, is a NASCAR tradition that separates Talladega from other venues. It truly is a sight to behold how tents, RVs, trucks and trailers, with an abundance of ingenuity and creativity, can liven up a large crowd of people.(TSS)(4-25-2013)

Talladega Fans can access tickets using smartphones: It just got even easier for fans to purchase tickets to NASCAR's most exciting and unpredictable venue - Talladega Superspeedway. It's now literally at a consumer's fingertips. To directly gain access to Aaron's Dream Weekend, May 3-5 - which is less than two weeks away - fans can now use their smartphones. The new mobile-friendly fan experience, created by Moovweb, gives users quick and easy access to purchase event tickets as well as other opportunities such as the Talladega Experience  NASCAR's ultimate hospitality venue  and much more. Simply log onto talladegasuperspeedway.com on the mobile device and select the "Buy Tickets" link.(TSS)(4-23-2013)

Talladega Superspeedway Jeff Gordon Day - Thursday only: There is nothing more exciting than attending a NASCAR race at the sport's Most Competitive Track  Talladega Superspeedway. Now, fans have even more reason to purchase tickets to the Aaron's 499 in May  to help the most promising pediatric cancer research and programs that will improve patients' quality of life as part of the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation. This Thursday, April 11  One Day Only  for every frontstretch grandstand ticket sold to the Aaron's 499, $24 will be donated to the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation. Talladega Superspeedway's "Jeff Gordon Day"  Thursday, April 11 - has arrived. Beginning Thursday, April 11, from 9 am until 5 p.m. EDT, fans can secure tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA. A $24 donation will be made to the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation for tickets purchased in the following grandstands: Gadsden; Lincoln; Anniston and Anniston Tower; O.V. Hill North and South; O.V. Hill Tower, Tri-Oval and Tower Extension; Birmingham and Birmingham Tower; Moss-Thornton and Moss-Thornton Tower; and Talladega and Talladega Tower. The $24 donation is for the Sunday, May 5, 2013, Aaron's 499 event only.(TSS)(4-11-2013)

Burton and Labonte to appear at Talladega Experience: The list of appearances for the famous Talladega Experience continues to grow, and this week's additions continue to be the biggest  and most respected  names in NASCAR. Bobby Labonte, who will be making history with his 700th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, along with Jeff Burton, known as the "Mayor of the NASCAR Garage," are scheduled to appear in the Talladega Experience on Sunday, May 5, the morning of the Aaron's 499. They will join an already star-studded lineup which consists of Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The Talladega Experience offers fan hospitality unrivaled by any other sporting event. In addition to driver appearances, guests of the Talladega Experience are treated to unlimited catering and beverages, up-close and personal access to driver question and answer sessions, pre-race pit road tours, track access during driver introductions, VIP parking, event souvenirs, and more. The Talladega Experience is designed for the FAN, with the ultimate goal of providing each guest with a world-class experience and memories to last a lifetime. The package, which must be accompanied by a Frontstretch Grandstand or Tower ticket, is $145.(TSS)(4-10-2013)

Dale Jr. to Appear in the Talladega Experience: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., the only driver in the history of Talladega Superspeedway to capture four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race victories at the 2.66-mile venue, will join defending Series Champion Brad Keselowski in the driver lineup for the Talladega Experience during the upcoming Aaron's Dream Weekend, May 3-5. This year's crop of drivers is shaping up to be one of the best in years, and even more of NASCAR's finest will be announced to join Dale Jr. and Keselowski in the Talladega Experience in the coming weeks. The Talladega Experience is a fun, one-of-a-kind fan hospitality event unrivaled by any other in the sporting world. The Talladega Experience is designed for the FAN, with the ultimate goal of providing each guest with a world-class experience and memories to last a lifetime. The package, which must be accompanied by a Frontstretch Grandstand or Tower ticket, is $145. Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(3-26-2013)

Two-Car draft at Talladega "pathetic": Many NASCAR fans didn't like the two-car tandem draft that dominated restrictor-plate racing, especially at Talladega Superspeedway, in 2010 and 2011. They were joined by some of the top executives of the sport, including one who recently railed against the style of racing and blamed it for the sluggish ticket sales at Talladega Superspeedway. International Speedway Corp. President John Saunders, whose company owns 12 tracks, including Talladega and Daytona International Speedway, minced no words when talking about the racing during a conference call last week with financial analysts. "The tandem racing, two or three events of that kind of stuff & was quite frankly pathetic," Saunders said. "It's not what Talladega has been known for." Bad weather, including tornado warnings, that occurred during Talladega's spring weekends in 2010 and 2011 and high unemployment also hurt attendance, Saunders said. But he also said drivers' negative comments about the racing at Talladega encouraged fans to stay home. The Talladega stands were far from full last year, and NASCAR estimated the Talladega crowd last October at 88,000  an estimate that includes those camping in the infield. In fan surveys after its fall 2011 race, 75 percent said they didn't like the two-car draft, Lynch said. While NASCAR implemented rules designed to limit it in 2012  rules that kept drivers from using the two-car draft up until the race's final laps  the damage appears have been done.(Sporting News)(2-4-2013)

ISC reports dip in profits: International Speedway Corp. saw a year-over-year decline in both its 2012 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings and revenues, but the narrowing of the revenue decline for its core business operations to less than 1 percent has company officials encouraged. "We experienced leading signs of revenue stabilization this year," stated Lesa France Kennedy, ISC's chief executive officer, in both a news release and Thursday morning conference call with stock analysts. ISC, which operates Daytona International Speedway and a dozen other tracks around that country that host NASCAR races and other motorsports events, generated a net profit of roughly $54.6 million for its fiscal year, which ended Nov. 30, down from $69.4 million in fiscal 2011, and a fourth-quarter net profit of about $24.7 million, down from $26.5 million the same period the previous year. Its revenues totaled $612.3 million in 2012, down from $629.7 million in 2011, and in the fourth quarter it generated $189.4 million in sales, down from $191.9 million the same period the previous year. Kennedy said ISC had year-over-year increases in both revenues from broadcast fees, corporate sponsorships and food, beverage and merchandise sales at races, but "we continue to experience modest headwinds with admissions, not to the degree experienced in 2011, but enough to know we still have further inroads to make with our consumer."(full article at the Daytona Beach News-Journal)(1-25-2013)

John Fadool from Americrown Joins Talladega Superspeedway Staff: Talladega Superspeedway announced the addition of Americrown Service Corporation's John Fadool to their full-time staff. As Food, Beverage and Merchandise Manager, Fadool will work at the track year round to optimize the experience fans have while making purchases at concession stands and merchandise vendors. Bringing in a member of the Americrown team to Talladega is part of an on-going plan for the speedway to focus on delivering the finest guest experience in motorsports. Americrown, which is owned by International Speedway Corporation, has been providing food, beverage and merchandise at Talladega Superspeedway and other ISC-owned racetracks since 1989. Having an Americrown employee on staff at Talladega will ensure that all fans' needs regarding concessions and merchandise will be addressed and improved upon in a way that's specific to the track.(TSS)(12-13-2012)

2013 Event Dates at Talladega Superspeedway: The 2013 NASCAR season at Talladega Superspeedway will bring a few changes, but the crowd-pleasing excitement of side-by-side pack racing will stay the same. Before fans return next year to NASCAR's Most Competitive Track, it is important that they know the new dates and mark their calendars. The Aaron's Dream Weekend stays virtually unchanged from its 2012 date and will fall on May 3-5, 2013. The Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 weekend will move back a few weeks deeper into the Chase, making it even more of a "wild card" in the 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Scheduled for October 18-20, the fall race at Talladega Superspeedway will be a must see event. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway October 5-7, 2012 for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 Weekend. For tickets and information visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TSS)(9-21-2012)

Two records tied at Talladega: April 2001's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway tied two Sprint Cup Series records - number of lead changes and closest margin of victory. There were 88 lead changes at the start/finish line, tying an all-time NASCAR record set in last season's April event at Talladega. The final lead change occurred on the last lap - eight of the last 12 Talladega races featured a last-lap lead change. Jimmie Johnson edged Clint Bowyer by .002 seconds, which matches the closest margin of victory since the inception of electronic scoring in May 1993. That mark was originally set at Darlington Raceway on March 16, 2003, with Ricky Craven beating Kurt Busch. Since 1993, every race at Talladega finishing under green - 29 in all - has had a MOV under .400 seconds. Passing numbers - for the lead and otherwise - also were high. There were 159 green flag passes for the lead all around the race track, with a total of 11,025 green flag passes throughout the field.(NASCAR)(4-18-2011)

Wild, Record-Tying Finish At Talladega: April 2001's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway tied two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series records  number of lead changes and closest margin of victory.
There were 88 lead changes at the start/finish line, tying an all-time NASCAR record set in last season's April event at Talladega. The final lead change occurred on the last lap  eight of the last 12 Talladega races featured a last-lap lead change.
#48-Jimmie Johnson edged #33-Clint Bowyer by .002 seconds, which matches the closest margin of victory [MOV] since the inception of electronic scoring in May 1993. That mark was originally set at Darlington Raceway on March 16, 2003, with Ricky Craven beating Kurt Busch. Since 1993, every race at Talladega finishing under green  29 in all  has had a MOV under .400 seconds.
Johnson, with his 54th-career victory, moved into a tie with NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Lee Petty for ninth on the all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins list.
Passing numbers  for the lead and otherwise  also were high. There were 159 green flag passes for the lead all around the race track, with a total of 11,025 green flag passes throughout the field. Sunday's race capped off a record-breaking weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. In Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race, there were 56 lead changes, an all-time record since the series' inception in 1982.(NASCAR)(4-18-2011)

Emergency texting available to race patrons: International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(5-14-2009)

Sprint Cup Series Record 28 Different Leaders At Talladega: There were 28 different leaders in Sunday's AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, an all-time Sprint Cup Series record. The previous record of 26 was snapped on Lap 142 when Joe Nemechek crossed the start/finish line in first. Michael Waltrip later extended the record to 28, leading lap 165. The old record of 26 different leaders was originally set July 27, 1986, at Talladega. It was tied on April 22, 2001, again at Talladega. Sunday's race also placed in the top five in terms of lead changes. There were 64 total lead changes, which is tied for fifth-most in NASCAR history.(NASCAR)(10-6-2008)