3/9/2026
Crate Racin' USA
Talladega Short Track Launches 49th Season Saturday Night
(Eastaboga, AL – March 9, 2026) – One of the most historic dirt racing venues in the Southeast will roar back to life this weekend as the season opener takes place Saturday, March 14 at Talladega Short Track, the legendary red clay oval known to fans across the country as “The Hornet’s Nest.”
Located just across the street from Talladega Superspeedway on Speedway Boulevard in Eastaboga, Alabama, Talladega Short Track has long been regarded as one of the premier grassroots racing facilities in America. The track will officially open its 49th season of competition this weekend, kicking off the first round of the 2026 TST Cup Championship points season.
Drivers from across the region will battle for early-season momentum in the championship standings as the opening night of the 10-race TST Cup series begins the chase for this year’s coveted track titles.
Talladega Short Track first opened its gates on April 29, 1977, under the leadership of promoter Alfred Gurley. What began as a flat limestone motorcycle track would eventually evolve into the high-banked red clay oval that fans know today.
After purchasing the property in 1980 alongside Lynn “Preacher” Phillips, Gurley began transforming the facility by rotating the track 180 degrees and shaping it into its current configuration. The facility has remained under the same ownership for more than four decades, with Mike and Rita Donahoo continuing operations following Gurley’s passing in April 2015.
The speedway has grown significantly over the years. Improvements in 2000 added a concrete retaining wall on the backstretch, expanded metal bleacher seating, and relocated pit parking outside the infield to enhance both fan viewing and capacity.
The seating along the front straightaway place's fans right on top of the action—what many call “the best seat in racing.” That closeness to the racing surface is part of what makes Talladega Short Track one of the most exciting venues in dirt track racing.
The track’s famous nickname, “The Hornet’s Nest,” was popularized by longtime announcer Perry Holman, who described the intense side-by-side racing as being like “kicking a hornet’s nest” when a field of stock cars storms into the first corner.
National recognition followed, with the track earning a place among the Top 25 speedways in the United States according to USA Today.
Saturday night’s opener begins the chase for the 2026 TST Cup Championship, a 10-race points series that will determine the track champions in each weekly division.
All local divisions will compete during the TST Cup events, providing drivers the opportunity to establish themselves early in the championship standings.
2025 Talladega Short Track Champions included:
CRUSA 602 Late Model Sportsman – Brodie Thompson
CRUSA 604 Dirt Late Models – Nikalas Godfrey
Talladega Sportsman – Lucas Burns
CRUSA Modified – Jarrad Gray
Factory Stock – Chris Elliott
Hot Shots – JJ McAvoy
Mini Stocks – Charish Catlett
With a new season beginning, drivers will be eager to make their mark in the opening round of points competition.
Opening Night Schedule
Saturday, March 14 – Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, Alabama)
Gates Open: 4:00 PM
Hot Laps: 6:00 PM
Racing Begins: 7:00 PM
Fans are encouraged to bring friends and family and experience an evening of high-speed dirt track racing under the lights as one of Alabama’s most historic racing venues launches another season of competition.
For more information, visit www.talladegashorttrack.com
or follow Talladega Short Track on social media.
Article Credit: Cody Earley
