Larger High-Definition Video Boards and Happenings That Fans Can Expect to See At Talladega

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Talladega Superspeedway will host the most anticipated race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Sunday’s GEICO 500. Fans in the grandstands will not only witness the spectacular action LIVE and in person, but will have the added luxury of seeing it with larger than life Sprint Vision Digital High-Definition Video Screens.

The new screens are even bigger than what was showcased during the Aaron’s 499 weekend this past May. In fact, there will be a new mammoth 40’ x 80’ video board which will tower above Gatorade Victory Lane, where many of the sport’s top drivers hope they will be at the conclusion of 500 miles. The GEICO 500, set for 1 pm CT, is the final race of the Contender Round in the Chase, and after the checkered flag drops, the field of eligible drivers for the title will be trimmed from 12 to eight. Pressure will be at an all-time high.

Five video boards will line the frontstretch, offering fans in every grandstand seat an unbelievable view of the incredible content to be projected throughout the event weekend, which also includes the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race Saturday. There is also one video board that is placed along the Alabama Gang Superstretch.

The high-definition pictures will be even bigger, brighter, crisper and clearer. Talladega Superspeedway served as a test track for the new International Speedway Corporation (ISC) initiative in May. The multi-phase project plans are to implement the video boards at all ISC facilities over the next few years. 

The video boards are just the start of what promises to be an incredible weekend at Talladega. Listed below are other amenities and happenings that fans can expect at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track:

  • Roomy Chair-backs: In addition to the video boards, the first-class experience for fans is enhanced with every seat in the house having roomy 21-inch and 22-inch chair-back seats with drip shields.
  • Kids Pricing: Kids 12 and under receive $50 off all regular adult ticket pricing throughout the lower Grandstands and Towers for the GEICO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. In GADSDEN Grandstand and TALLADEGA Grandstand 2-day sections, kids 12 and under can sit for FREE, when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are required for all kids’ tickets.
  • Pit Pass Upgrade: Fans that purchase Talladega’s “Pit Pass Upgrade,” can have access to a special fan Q&A with a host of drivers on Sunday, prior to the start of the GEICO 500. Scheduled from 9:00-10:50 am, the special session, will include FOX broadcaster Larry McReynolds, 2-time Talladega winner and Alabama Gang member Donnie Allison, Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders’ Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano, along with Danica Patrick, Greg Biffle and Aric Almirola.

Not only can fans get an up-close look at NASCAR’s finest with the Pit Pass Upgrade, but can also take in all the festive pre-race activities: Driver Introductions, Red Carpet Entry into the Drivers Meeting and an up-close look at the cars lined up on pit road. The Pit Pass Upgrade is $75. To obtain, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

  • Epic Music Entertainment: The infamous Saturday Night Concert, near Talladega Blvd, will be headlined by country music artist Thomas Rhett with Logan Mize & Dee Jay Silver also rocking the house. The concert has become a popular event at Talladega Superspeedway with top music acts, and it’s FREE with the purchase of a Sunday GEICO 500 ticket.
  • The Big One on the Blvd: Talladega, known for its crazy party atmosphere, is bringing back the Big One on the Blvd Friday. The wildest mardi-gras style parade in the South will kick off at 6:30 pm on Talladega Blvd and will feature top drivers Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Austin Dillon, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson. They will oversee countless activities, such as the “Hallow-Dega” costume contest, a Jell-O-O Crawl, and the ‘Dega Dance Off. The crowd, as well as the drivers, will play a key role in determining the fan that walks away with $1,000 in cash.
  • Show-Stopping ASA Action: The ASA Action Sports World Tour of high demand and highly entertaining “half-pipe” competitions (Used in the X Games) featuring superstars in skateboarding and BMX will be a two-day, head-to-head event held in the track’s Horsepower Plaza (exhibit area outside the gates near turn four). Saturday the action gets underway at 10:00 a.m. CST and Sunday’s Grand finale is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. CST. It marks the first time the top pros from skateboarding and BMX have competed on the track grounds. Both events are free.
  • GEICO Skytypers: Look to the sky moments prior to the GEICO 500 to see the world famous Long-Island-based GEICO Skytypers. The extremely talented group will showcase their aerial expertise in a special tribute to the United States Military with skytyping, as well as performing a six-aircraft, wingtip-to-wingtip formation flyover in their WWII-era SNJs during the National Anthem. 
  • Freedom Trophy: The track’s newest tradition – the Freedom Trophy – which represents the five branches of the U.S. Military – will be presented to the GEICO 500 race winner in Victory Lane. Sr. Airman Donald L. Googe Jr., from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL, will make the presentation at the conclusion of the 2014 edition of the GEICO 500.
  • GEICO 500 Honorary Officials: The Grand Marshal is Rhett Rayburn, Regional Vice President and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) for GEICO Macon Southeast, while SFC Sergeant First Class James W. Knight, an Alabama native and member of the US Army since 2000, will serve as the Honorary Starter.
  • Fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola Honorary Officials: Teresa Gabor, Senior Vice President of Merchandising for fred’s Super Dollar, will deliver the message to drivers to start their engines as the Grand Marshal. Keith Curtis, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at fred’s Super Dollar, will serve as the Honorary Starter. 
  • Sunday’s National Anthem: The 313th United States Army Band, formed in 1943, will perform the National Anthem prior to the GEICO 500. The unit, comprised of 40 citizen-soldiers, train and perform as Army musicians during monthly Battle Assembly weekends and two weeks of Annual Training.
  • Camp for Free!: Talladega Superspeedway offers over 15,000 free camping sites in  three conveniently located parks that opened this week. All-day parking on Talladega Superspeedway property remains free.
  • SMOKE FREE: Throughout the grandstands designated smoking areas will be set up under the grandstands and towers.

Event Schedule

Friday, October 17:

  • 8:30-10:30 am CT: Final practice for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)
  • 1:30-2:30 pm CT: Practice for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS)
  • 3:30-4:20 pm CT: Final practice for NSCS
  • 4:45 pm CT: Keystone Light Pole Qualifying NCWTS
  • 6:30 pm CT: Big One on the Blvd. Parade – Infield

Saturday, October 18:

  • 12:00 pm CT: Fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NCWTS (defending Race Winner – Johnny Sauter)
  • 3:40 pm CT: Food Land/Food Giant Qualifying for the NSCS
  • 7:00 pm: Saturday Night Infield Concert featuring Thomas Rhett, Logan Mize & Dee Jay Silver

Sunday, October 19:

  • 1:00 pm: GEICO 500 NSCS race (defending Race Winner – Jamie McMurray)

TSS PR

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