Photo Cutline: Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton (left) and Russell Branham, Vice President of Consumer Marketing & Communications, test out the new playground equipment that will be located in the one-of-a-kind Talladega Garage Experience. The new play area will be ready for kids to enjoy during the upcoming NASCAR Playoffs doubleheader weekend, Oct. 11-13.
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Swings and slides and merry-go-rounds, oh my! Talladega Superspeedway’s littlest fans have even more reason to be excited for the track’s upcoming NASCAR Playoffs doubleheader weekend, Oct. 11-13, when they see the addition of the brand-new playground that will be located in the Talladega Garage Experience, debuting this October.
Talladega Superspeedway has teamed up with Play & Park Structures to help NASCAR’s youngest fans experience something similar to what they might observe during a race day at the track and live it out in the new play area that will sit just outside the Talladega Garage Experience’s massive BIG BILL’S Open Air Social Club, the epicenter of the Garage Experience’s 140,000 square foot space.
The overall play environment will feature a poured, in-place track that will simulate the actual 2.66-mile track and feature authentic sounds from the race track. Children will get the chance to race each other around the perimeter and time themselves using the lap timer. A kids’ size race car that can accommodate two children will be positioned to enter the pit stop area and will include an interactive voice module panel that children can power by turning a kinetic rotor to generate pit stop commands such as ‘Tighten up the lug nuts’ and ‘Gas it up!’
There will also be a play tower that will face the play area’s start-finish line and will feature an interactive announcer panel where children can generate familiar calls such as ‘Drivers, start your engines!’ and ‘Checkered flag, everyone’s a winner!’ Swings, slides, climbing and spinning will keep the youngsters entertained throughout the entire race weekend.
Kids will also get the chance to take a selfie in one of the multiple photo stations located in the Kids Zone and throughout the Talladega Garage Experience. Play & Park Structures is debuting their newest selfie product - the Swirl with Me - an inclusive merry-go-round that features built-in cell phone slots that allow parents to capture the glee on their children’s faces as they spin. So whether it’s posing with a “driver” or at the winner’s circle trophy photo panel, there are plenty of photo opportunities for families to capture those special moments.
Local race fan and Hueytown, AL native Angela Collins, is the recreation consultant who collaborated on this project. She is the owner of Hammill Recreation.
Other items families can enjoy in the Talladega Garage Experience include $4 or less Value-Priced Concessions, Game Zone, Entertainment Stage for local music, Driver Q&A’s and other interviews, social areas, Gatorade Victory Lane celebrations post race, Sunday pre-race ceremonies and Driver Introductions at the Start-Finish line and much more!
Families who have access on Sunday (Oct. 13) have the option to go behind-the-scenes at the biggest track in NASCAR and participate in the Kids VIP Experience presented by Children’s of Alabama. These exclusive “pre-race” options include:
The youngsters can choose one of the eight experiences on a first-come, first-served basis once at the Kids Station (opens at 8 a.m. CDT), which will be located near the Kids Zone. There is a two-kids, per-one adult limit
About Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway – which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year – is the most competitive race track on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles) as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Talladega offers something for everyone, including hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids tickets and college student prices, along with special offers for military members, first responders, teachers and educators. The historic venue, which opened in 1969, is deemed NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield, the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert on event weekends and renowned Talladega Blvd., home of the “Big One on the Blvd.” party. It’s the site of the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large ISM Vision HD video boards lining the frontstretch and numerous pre-race activities for fans on race day, including special Kids VIP opportunities. For ticket information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 855-518-RACE (7223).