Motorsports

Talladega, Ala. This otherwise unassuming small Alabama town (population 14,723) is the heart and soul of a multibillion dollar sport. The mere mention of the words "racing" and/or "NASCAR" evokes the name Talladega. And why not? Host to two giant Nextel Cup races and one Busch Series race per year, the Talladega Superspeedway is arguably the most famous racetrack in the world. It seats over 140,000 people and has borne witness to so many key moments in the history of racing that to even attempt to list them on one page would be futile.

Fast is what the Talladega Superspeedway is known for. It's considered the world's fastest speedway. Each year the 2.66–mile tri–oval is home to the Aaron's 499 in April and the AMP Energy 500 in October. Year-round, it's home to the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Some come for the engines' roar, the lightning speed and the top–notch competition; some for a quiet, at–your–own–pace tour of the speedway, museum and walk of fame. Many come for both. Whatever your choice, you'll leave with a new appreciation of the power, the speed and the popularity of NASCAR at Talladega.

Alabama is also home to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum, located on 35 acres of land next to the Talladega Superspeedway. The annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is held there, and honors only the best of the best in motorsports.You'll find two long-time Alabamians – Bobby and Davey Allison – among them.

Travel to Birmingham, Ala., and you'll see the Barber Motorsports Park, which hosts races like the Honda Superbike Classic and the Porsche 250. Frankly put, if you're a race fan, you'll be hard-pressed to find a state in America that can match what Alabama has to offer.

The Barber Motorsports Museum has a wonderful new home and is joined by an impressive 2.3–mile road course.

The museum's collection includes more than 1160 motorcycles and 60 cars. Approximately 700 motorcycles and 50 cars are on rotating display at all times in the massive 141,000–sq.–ft. museum. The museum is home to the world's largest collection of lotus cars.

The road course adds a living element to the collection and allows attendees to see these classics in action. With 16 turns and changes in elevation, this is truly a precision driving course. The Porsche Driving Experience agrees and has located their school here.

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Ala. Rev your engines for the 6th Annual Thunder on the Gulf held August 14-17. Be amazed by the incredible power and presence of these powerboats as they compete against some of the fastest in the world.

Meet your favorite racers and see the powerboats up close with a visit to Race Village, which will be located at The Wharf. Fans of all ages will have the chance to enjoy the festival atmosphere, complete with entertainment and retail booths, as race village will be open each day. This fun-filled weekend will be capped off by the much-anticipated races on Sunday that are held 100 yards off the coast in Orange Beach.