The track's design quickly proved its capability for extreme velocity. In March 1970, Buddy Baker became the first person to break 200 miles per hour on a closed course, setting an average speed of 200.449 miles per hour (322.591 km/h) at Talladega. Seven months later, Bobby Isaac surpassed this record with a lap of 201.104 miles per hour (323.646 km/h). The banking continued to contribute to record-breaking speeds throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In August 1974, A. J. Foyt set an overall closed-circuit speed record of 217.315 miles per hour (349.735 km/h), which Mark Donohue then broke a year later with an average speed of 221.160 mph (355.923 km/h). The women's world record for closed-circuit speed was also broken multiple times at Talladega, with Lyn St. James becoming the first woman to exceed 200 mph in October 1988, and Patty Moise setting a record of 217.498 mph (350.029 km/h) in January 1990.
The high speeds enabled by Talladega's banking led to significant safety developments. Following Bobby Allison's crash at the 1987 Winston 500, where his car went airborne into a protective catchfence, NASCAR introduced the restrictor plate. This measure was mandated to reduce speeds, a requirement that remained until 2019. However, an unintended consequence of the slower speeds was the emergence of "pack racing," where cars ran in tight formations. This style of racing, facilitated by the track's wide, high-banked configuration, increased the frequency of major multi-car accidents, often referred to as "The Big One." These incidents have become a defining characteristic of racing at Talladega, with numerous crashes involving 10 or more cars. For instance, the 2002 Aaron's 312 saw a 27-car pileup, setting a record for the most cars involved in an incident in NASCAR's top three series in the modern era, a record tied at the 2003 Aaron's 499. Another notable incident occurred at the 2009 Aaron's 499, when Carl Edwards' car went airborne on the final lap, crashing into the catchfence and injuring seven spectators.
The track's construction began in 1968, initiated by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. after a failed proposal for a track in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The site near Talladega, Alabama, was chosen, and groundbreaking occurred on May 23, 1968, with an opening date set for September 1969. The inaugural 1969 Talladega 500 was controversial, as drivers, particularly those from the Professional Drivers Association (PDA), complained about a rough track surface causing excessive tire wear. Despite a near-unanimous withdrawal of major drivers, the race proceeded with substitute drivers and smaller "pony cars." Richard Brickhouse won the event in front of 64,000 spectators.
Beyond the main tri-oval, the Talladega Superspeedway complex also includes a 4.000 mi (6.437 km) roval-style road course. As of 2022, the grandstand capacity is 80,000. The track is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Josh Harris.
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