This year’s NASCAR Cup Series stop at Talladega Superspeedway for the Jack Link’s 500 gave us exactly what we came for: big packs, big runs, and a finish that had every single person on their feet. Austin Cindric picked up his first win of the season and the third Cup Series victory of his career, and our RaceAway guests got to see it all unfold at the biggest, baddest oval on the circuit. For many, it was their very first Talladega weekend, and it was a great way to introduce them to our Talladega Superspeedway NASCAR experience.
Meeting the Crew in Birmingham
I’m Emily, a Carolina girl through and through, and I teamed up with fellow North Carolinian Ashley to host this Talladega trip. Our home base for the weekend was the Embassy Suites Birmingham Hoover; easy to get around, plenty of space to relax, and a straightforward spot for everyone to meet before we rolled out to the track.
Most of our guests were new to RaceAway, which gave the lobby that “first day of school” buzz; lots of curious questions and a few “We have no idea what to expect, but we’re excited!” smiles. Mixed into that group were some familiar favorites like Terry V. and Ron I., who’ve joined us at other events and helped welcome the first-timers with stories from past trips.
One of the highlights right out of the gate was meeting Ali S. and her crew. She had rounded up ten of her husband’s closest friends to celebrate his birthday at Talladega. When they all walked in together, I told them, “Now that’s a party. Fast cars, loud engines, and your whole crew in one place. He won’t forget this one, y’all.”
Heading Out to Talladega Superspeedway
Race morning started with guests grabbing breakfast and then gathering in the lobby with their RaceAway lanyards and race-day bags. Our charter picked us up at the front of the Embassy Suites, and Ashley and I helped everyone get settled in for the ride to the track. Talladega is roughly 50 miles from the hotel, but on race day that can stretch out, so we plan for about an hour and a half on the motorcoach.
The bus has a restroom on board, and guests are welcome to bring their own drinks – no glass, no smoking – which helps the drive go by in a hurry. As we made our way toward the track, I walked the aisle to go over the Talladega basics one more time. As of April 2025:
- Soft-sided coolers up to 14″ x 14″ x 14″ are allowed
- One additional bag or backpack up to 18″ is permitted per person
- Pre-sealed food and beverages (including alcohol) are fine
- No glass containers, and everything is subject to search
- Concessions and merchandise at the track are cashless
Guests who added the Talladega Garage Experience were especially excited. I reminded them that coolers can’t go inside the infield experience, so most chose to bring a smaller bag for that portion and leave their cooler at their seats. Trams from the grandstands to the infield make it easy to go back and forth, and several guests took full advantage to soak up as much of the pre-race atmosphere as possible.
From the moment we stepped off the bus, the size of Talladega made an impression: towering grandstands, a huge tri-oval, and that feeling that something big is going to happen.
Cup Racing the Talladega Way
By early afternoon, everyone had found their way to our seats with a clear view of the 2.66-mile track. When driver introductions kicked off at 1:30 PM, the energy in the stands cranked up another notch, and by the time the green flag waved at 2:00 PM for the Jack Link’s 500, the whole place was humming.
What followed was Talladega at its best: three-wide lanes, runs forming out of nowhere, and bold blocks that had our group gasping and laughing in equal measure. With so many first-time guests, it was fun to watch them track the lines and learn how quickly the draft can flip the running order.
As the laps wound down, the stakes only got higher. Lines formed and broke, leaders shuffled, and you could feel that late-race tension ripple through the grandstands. Austin Cindric kept himself in the right place at the right time, surviving the chaos and making the moves he needed to be out front when it mattered. When he grabbed that first win of the year and the third win of his Cup career, our section erupted. Some guests were cheering for him specifically; others were just thrilled to have witnessed a proper Talladega finish with hearts pounding and voices hoarse.
Heading Home with New Talladega Fans
Once the checkered flag waved and the celebrations wound down, Ashley and I reminded everyone that our charter would head back to Birmingham an hour after the race. That gave guests time to take a few more photos, soak in the view of the frontstretch, and make their way back toward the bus lot without feeling rushed.
The ride back was that good kind of tired: sun-soaked, ears still ringing a bit, and plenty of replaying “Did you see that move?” moments. Ali’s birthday group compared favorite parts of the day, Terry and Ron swapped Talladega memories from past years with the new folks, and by the time we pulled into the hotel, it felt like we’d all just shared something pretty special.
Weekend Takeaways from Talladega
- Embassy Suites Birmingham Hoover provided a comfortable, convenient home base close to shopping, dining, and our race-day pickup point.
- Hosted, round-trip motorcoach transportation made the 50-mile trip to and from Talladega straightforward and relaxed.
- Talladega Garage Experience access and tram service helped guests explore both the infield and grandstands with ease.
- A guest list made up mostly of first-time RaceAway travelers, plus familiar friends like Terry V. and Ron I., gave the weekend a fun mix of fresh excitement and seasoned know-how.
- A big birthday celebration organized by Ali S., who brought ten of her husband’s best buddies to mark his big day at the track.
- Classic Talladega action featuring tight pack racing, daring moves, and Austin Cindric sealing his first win of the season and third career Cup Series victory.
Closing Out a Big Talladega Weekend
Talladega has a way of turning strangers into storytellers, and this weekend was no exception. By the end of the trip, those first-time RaceAway guests were already talking about where they wanted to go next, and our returning friends were penciling in future races on their calendars.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to feel a Cup field thunder past you three-wide at Talladega, or if you’re ready to join us at another track, I’d love to host you on a future RaceAway NASCAR weekend. We’ll keep the details handled so you can focus on cheering, laughing, and making race-day memories that stick with you long after the checkered flag.