1980s At Talladega Superspeedway: Memorable Finishes By Iconic Drivers

By Talladega Superspeedway

Springtime NASCAR premier series races in the 1980s at Talladega Superspeedway, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, were known for trademark finishes and “official” speed records, along with the greatest comeback in NASCAR history, the Alabama Gang’s protection of its home turf and Hall of Famers ruling the way.

The world’s largest and greatest superspeedway, which will host its tripleheader weekend featuring the GEICO 500 on April 26-28, was the creation of Big Bill France in 1969. It is the site where Benny Parsons made history in spring 1982, becoming the first driver to break the 200-mph mark in “official” qualifying for a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at a speed of 200.176 mph. Twelve years earlier, Buddy Baker, in a winged, aerodynamic Dodge Daytona that was banned after the 1970 season, eclipsed 200 mph during a testing session on the 2.66-mile, 33-degree banked venue, but it wasn’t during qualifying for an official race.

Just four years later in 1986, the mammoth track hosted the first “all-200 mph” qualifying field in stock car history, led by Bill Elliott at better than 212 mph. Twelve months later, Elliott, in his famous No. 9 Ford, would rewrite the history books yet again, this time turning a hot lap of 212.809 mph, a NASCAR record that still stands today. Elliott would show his dominance of speed, capturing six straight pole positions, sweeping both Talladega races from 1985 through 1987.

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