Fans, gearheads, and anyone else seeking a thrill were given the chance to take their own wheels to the famous 2.66-mile tri-oval at Talladega Superspeedway.
A $50 donation to American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives allowed one street legal vehicle two laps around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
About 300 pre-registration requests were received by 9 a.m. when the gates opened and many more lined up to register.
By the conclusion of the event at 4 p.m., more than $45,000 had been raised, according to organizers. All donations from the event will go to ‘Dega Gives, a donor advised fund of The NASCAR Foundation which will direct funds to American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief in assisting victims of disasters like last week’s tornadoes that ripped through the state.
Victor Wilson and son Joshua Wilson of Talladega were one of those excited to have the experience of taking their Shelby GT 500 through the 33-degree banks. Victor said it was a great event to be able to make a donation to those that were affected by the storms.
Photos: Talladega Track Laps benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Travis Brayden Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Sam Brooks Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Jim Holcomb Scenes from Talladega Track Laps, an event benefiting American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief through ‘Dega Gives. 300 people preregistered for the experience of making 2 laps in their street legal vehicle around NASCAR’s biggest track at highway speed.
Another eager participant, Jim Holcomb and fiancé Angela Wilson couldn't get enough of the thrill and took turns through four “rides” — a total of eight laps around the superspeedway.
“We were excited to do it and really for a good cause," Holcomb said. "It was a first-class event, really well coordinated. We could not ask for a better time, I hope they do this again.”
His first drive on the Talladega Superspeedway was in his dad Jim Homcomb Sr.’s 1996 Corvette.
“He would have loved to do it himself," Holcomb Jr. said.
Stan and Wanda Brooks took their 1987 Chet Monte Carlo Super Sport for a spin around the track.
“It’s a win win," Brooks said. "We got to do something we really enjoyed and were able to help the tornado victims.”