You can see the Talladega International Speedway flags flying as you approach from both directions on I-20 in eastern Alabama. It’s the first indication that you’ve arrived at one of America’s last remaining treasures where you’re about to see things you never thought you’d see in life. You’ve been warned that it’s wild and you’ve seen some wild scenes in your life at NASCAR venues. You quickly realize that this place is different from all the others. This is like Mardi Gras, a college football tailgate, the Kentucky Derby infield, a Bachelor Party Gone Wild and a NASCAR race weekend wrapped up into one event that will leave your body battered from the fun.
It’s a place where you can walk around shirtless for 4-5 days. Never go hungry. Never not have something to drink. Never not see a Roll Tide tattoo, t-shirt or sticker. You’ll meet friends for life and be left wanting it year after year after year.
Busch Beer contacted me earlier this spring to see if I would be interested in making a trip to Dega to see the brand’s re-introduction to the NASCAR world with its fish-designed No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick. Busch sponsored the Busch Series from 1984-2007, but had been out of the series since. I didn’t even check to see if Mrs. BC had anything scheduled. I was in.
Fast-forward to this weekend. Busch brought out the one-of-a-kind largemouth bass on one side, cutthroat trout on the other, trophy can car to run the Geico 500 on the super speedway. Harvick, who led nine laps, finished 15 after getting caught up in a final lap crash as the checkered flag was being waved.
Weekend highlights:
• Seeing Busch Light on a car as the lead sponsor; hasn’t happened since Cale Yarborough drove for the brand in 1979-80. It’s NASCAR. Give me the legendary brands on the cars.
• Talking fishing, lakes and sports with KVD – @Kevin_VanDam. He’s sponsored by Busch and was part of a Q&A on Saturday with Harvick. It was interesting to walk around with KVD and see the fans run into their fishing hero. He’s a god in this part of the country.
Went to Talladega to help @BuschBeer launch new fishing promotion that starts May 8. Cool paint scheme!#BuschIsBack pic.twitter.com/aikrXEOn0O
— Kevin VanDam (@Kevin_VanDam) May 1, 2016
• An estimated crowd of 10,000 at Saturday night’s Big & Rich show. I knew like three songs, but they do this cover song mashup that allows Cowboy Troy to go nuts on the mic. Say what you want about B&R, you can’t say they don’t turn a show into a huge party.
• AJ McCarron on stage enjoying a Busch beer during the Big & Rich show. He wasn’t going full Gronk, but he was still on stage drinkin’ a cold one. It’s good to see my QB relaxing. He has a kid on the way this month. The days are running out where he can have a beer with the boys.
• Meeting Barry from Storage Wars. He seemed to be a huge Big & Rich fan. Knew all the words. Guy is a legend.
Just met Barry from Storage Wars at Big & Rich concert. This place is incredible #dega pic.twitter.com/mK0RI1K2Ck
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) May 1, 2016
• Seeing Barry from Storage Wars rolling down legendary Talladega Blvd. Saturday night in a golf cart.
• Watching the end of the XFINITY race from the top of an RV, a first for me. Just felt right.
• Drinking lemonade moonshine
• Sitting behind NASCAR Twitter legend @DeLanaHarvick in the Harvick pit tower for about 25 laps. It was interesting to see how involved she was with reading the screens providing car/race information to crew chief Rodney Childers and the engineers.
• Getting the full Dega tour from Joe Glynn, a guy who’s been involved with NASCAR for over 30 years. If you want to know something about a NASCAR track, he’s the guy. He knows everyone.
• Being in the drivers’ meeting. A bunch of regular good old boys walk in a room & get race rules about an hour or so before going 200 mph.
• The people. They still make this sport so damn enjoyable. I’ve said it multiple times and I’ll keep saying it, if you’re into people watching, get to Talladega for the spring race. Get a spot on the infield that rents for just over $300 for the week. Thank me later.
• Brian & his friends from St. Louis. They brought 20 cases of beer and that kick-ass Busch cooler cart. A guy offered him $2,500 for it almost immediately after arriving on Thursday.
And now for the photos of the most interesting palace in sports.
Entering the Dega infield from the south tunnel in turn 1.
His Saturday night on Talladega Blvd. was officially over.
Just one of the Wal-Mart-esque shirts you see around Dega on race day:
The young guy, Sam, said he was tackled for running on the track at some point on Saturday. The old timer was experiencing his first Dega weekend:
Merica enjoyed a cold Busch Light on a hot Bama afternoon:
Georgia fans brought the blowup doll:
The biggest commodity at Dega…transportation…it’s expensive to bring in a golf cart so hitching a ride is critical:
Of course the LSU fans were interesting…the hat says “Don’t be a bitch”:
“Don’t be a dick” was a toothless LSU fan partying in one of the more interesting parts of the infield:
Couple of in shape bros who walked around like this for hours…we get it, your have a gym membership:
#BBN
Gave Sammy Hagar & his friends a ride on the golf cart to the Big & Rich show:
Great to see AJ enjoying a beverage & having a good time:
That’s a Michael Jordan Bullets jersey:
Didn’t even pay for poster board:
Looked like she had $200 or so in the tip jar:
Troy & the boys enjoying the Blvd.
Is your buddy getting married in the summer of 2017? Start planning now…it’s a home run destination:
Big Harvick fan:
All is right in the world when Busch is on a NASCAR ride…just looks like it belongs:
Let’s go racin’:
In the drivers’ meeting…that’s Dale Jr. on the left side, Kyle Busch in the red Toyota shirt & Jack Roush in his famous hat:
Harvick’s over-the-wall guys about to go into battle:
