Talladega Short Track, affectionately called “The Hornet’s Nest”, is located across the street and just east of the Talladega Super Speedway on Speedway Boulevard in Eastaboga, Alabama.
The track opened on April 29th, 1977 under the direction of promoter Alfred Gurley. In 1980, he and Lynn “Preacher” Phillips partnered together to purchase the property that remains under the same ownership over 40 years later with Phillips and Gurley’s family, Mike and Rita Donahoo, overseeing operations since his passing in April of 2015.
The track began life as a flat, limestone motorcycle track, before renovations by Alfred Gurley turned the track 180 degrees and took the shape in its current layout and configuration. Seating for lawn chairs, and bleachers line the front straightaway with what many fans consider the “best seat in racing” because of the location of the seats right on top of the action. In 2000, a back straightaway concrete retaining wall and metal bleacher seating were added, and the pit parking was moved outside of the infield for better views and increased seating capacity.
The track garnered national attention, and is ranked as one of the Top 25 speedways in USA Today. The nickname “The Hornet’s Nest” was bestowed on the track and used frequently by late Track Announcer Perry Holman as the action on the track is tight and ultra competitive, thus turning a field of Stock Cars loose on the high-banked, red clay oval is likened to kicking a Hornet’s Nest as they begin buzzing with action!
Action takes place on the Stock Car Track every Saturday night from mid-March through mid-October, and Friday night racing action on the 1/6 mile Raceway Park go-kart facility from April through September with go-kart and Junior Late Model Racing.
Special events include the world famous Ice Bowl which is an annual winter pilgrimage in January of each season, kicking off the race season for many fans and competitors, and draws 300+ cars from around the country. Other special events included are: the always exciting NASCAR weekends that run in conjunction with the events at Talladega Super Speedway; Alfred Gurley Twin 25 Super Late Model event; Annual Governor’s Cup Event; July 4th weekend Salute to America Nationals; the Jerry Goodwin Tribute Event; and many others throughout the season.
Many sanctioning bodies visit TST each season including: Southern All Star Super Late Model Series, Crate Racin’ USA Dirt Late Model Series, USCS Winged Outlaw Sprint Cars, NVRA Vintage Race Cars, and the Crate Racin’ USA Street Stock Series.
We hope you enjoy your time at TST, and appreciate your support and patronage. We hope to see you soon to take in a night of “Dirt Trackin’ Southern Style”