Talladega 2022 Season/Ice Bowl
Very excited to start the new year with the Ice Bowl this coming week. This will start the 1st full season of racing under the new ownership with so many positives on tap.
First the Ice Bowl, a long overdue schedule change from 4 to 3 days with Saturday being Championship day with Sunday as a rain date. Action will start Thursday with practice, Friday will have hot laps, qualifying, then all heat racing. Saturday will start early at 10:30am. with B mains then all features. Info can be found on the website and Facebook.
The 2022 season, very excited about our season of races. First off some thoughts of the facility, there has been so much done to the grounds since our season closer. The regular parking lot had drainage issues fixed. The pits have been really worked over with expansion done next to the interstate that was never utilized. Grading and drainage has been completed, greatly enlarging the pits. All access roads have been smoothed with millings added that will make it easier to get around.
Drainage on the entire area has been re-done and will prevent any flooding. There are new tickets booths at the entrance, pits, and go-kart track. All lighting has been addressed. The scale house has been modernized, walls around the track painted and fencing addressed as well.
The track, if the track does not provide good racing consistently, then the product is diminished. This area has had full focus put on it since the ownership change and really has accelerated in the off season and now. A cool grader, mid-size tractor and a trick disc system are all in house and being used. Another tractor and power harrow has graciously been brought in by the folks at Thunderhill in TN. Thanks for that. And "Dr. Dirt" Johnny Stokes will be in charge of track prep for the Ice Bowl. A enormous priority has been dedicated to the race surface in 2022.
The schedule, maybe the best in years. The Comp Cams series will open the non-points season with a Friday $5-grander and a Saturday $10-grander, 3 races by the USCS Sprints, at least 5 shows by the touring CRUSA Late Models, 1 race for the Topless Outlaw Late Models, the Lucas Oil series, a 1st ever visit by the Iron Man group, and special events for all of our regular divisions as well.
Race nights, the track is dedicated to running a quick efficient show Saturday nights. No lapses or silly time wasting intermissions unless pre-planned for kids and such, cars on track at same time each night to hot lap and a bang-bang well run program to get you in 'n out in a fair and timely manner. Fair admission and concession prices, an easy cooler policy, just no glass. Bring a lawn chair or sit in the seats. I will do my personal best to announce a good show, not rattle and babble but to inform, be fun, and accurate.
The track is going to improve in all areas possible and with Adam Stewart at the helm we will with a few tweaks, in my view Adam has done so much in a short time, knows what he wants to do and accomplish and has a vision. For me I am thrilled to work for him like, we worked together at Green Valley. There are more irons in the track fire down the road.
2022 is going to rock at Talladega Short Track, come give us a try in 22!
Late Model Mark
TST Announcer