scenedaily_com's avatar
Author:
SceneDaily.com
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
  • Related Videos
SPEEDtv.com Store
DVD: David Jefferies Story
The David Jefferies Story is a reminder of the much loved and much missed Yorkshireman.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Ferrari Red Classic Hat
100% cotton twill. Ferrari shield embroidered on front, piping on the peak and Ferrari logo embroidered on back strap adjuster.
Our Price: $30.00 ($27.00 Member)
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
CUP: Banking Will Remain Unchanged At Talladega
Written by: SceneDaily.com
SceneDaily.com   
11/03/2009
Talladega, AL
 
As it has for 40 years the banking at Talladega Superspeedway will remain the same despite complaints from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. (Photo: Getty Images) ยป More Photos

Jimmie Johnson brought up the 40-year-old question following the NASCAR Sprint Cup race Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway: Should the 33-degree banking at the track be changed?

And the answer, for the 40th consecutive year: No.

“We’re not,” Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey said Monday of the possibility of altering the track. “We get this question every Monday morning twice a year. No. We’re not going to tear up the banking.”

Two scary crashes, a typical byproduct of restrictor-plate racing, along with an extended period of single-file racing left some fans – and drivers – critical of the racing at the track Sunday.

“The number of lead changes were very similar to what we’ve had in the past,” Humphrey said. “The accidents at the end were very unfortunate, very scary. It’s disappointing on Monday morning to hear all the comments from everybody, but I really don’t know how much it differed from the last several races that we had. … Around here, we hang our hat on lead changes and close finishes.

“We continue to have those, and we had those again yesterday. Unfortunately, the last lap ended up under caution.”

Talladega has a tradition of horrifying wrecks as NASCAR grapples to find a rules package that balances safety and competition.

“I guess it kind of goes back to it has been here for 40 years. It has been a part of the sport for 40 years and hopefully and probably [will] be a part of the sport for another 40 years,” Humphrey said. “It’s so hard to try to figure out what is everybody talking about
and what is everybody saying? You’ve got it coming from both directions.”

Humphrey acknowledged that attendance was down about 15 to 20 percent from a year ago. Talladega was part of a three-track schedule adjustment this year as its race was moved three weeks later in the season, and Humphrey said he still likes the date.

“The economy certainly is one thing we heard our fans say [for not coming],” Humphrey said. “While we think the Halloween weekend was a success for us and was a lot of fun for us to promote and for our fans, we did get some comments from folks that the date change didn’t allow them to come. … It has been a gloomy fall from a weather standpoint. It’s been a different fall than we’ve seen in the past.”

Last April’s accident where Carl Edwards got in the catch fence and eight people were treated for injuries did not impact attendance, Humphrey said.

“Where we saw our downturn was in the towers and was in the Allison [grandstands],” Humphrey said. “I don’t feel that kept folks away.”

SceneDaily.com • Six months prior to opening NASCAR Hall of Fame taking shape
View All Comments