'I'll never forget,' Dana White gives hilarious reason behind choosing Talladega as the best race

If you want to understand the true heartbeat of American motorsports, you don’t look at the pristine suites high above the start-finish line.

You look at the infield. And when it comes to infields, Talladega Superspeedway stands alone as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

The legendary “Talladega Big One on the Boulevard” is officially returning this spring to headline the Jack Link’s 500 weekend. If you’ve never been, it’s a beautiful, chaotic mix of a Mardi Gras parade, a high-stakes tailgate, and a horsepower-fueled block party.

The buzz surrounding the event recently hit a fever pitch when NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick and UFC CEO Dana White sat down on FOX Sports to swap stories about the cultural juggernaut that is Dega.

1. The Legend of Talladega’s Infield

NASCAR has plenty of iconic tracks. Daytona has the prestige. Indianapolis brings the historical weight. But Talladega brings the party. It is an experience that transcends the sport itself. During their recent exchange, Harvick posed a question that sparked the whole debate. “From a casual race fan’s perspective, what’s the biggest race in the world? What’s the one where you say like, ‘I hear about this race a lot’?” White didn’t hesitate to lay out his perspective. “I hear about many. I hear about Daytona. I hear about Talladega. What’s the answer?”

2. What to Expect When the Big One on the Boulevard Returns

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 24, 2026. At 7:30 p.m. CT, Talladega Boulevard transforms into the ultimate fan zone. This isn’t a corporate meet-and-greet where drivers wave from behind a velvet rope. This is an interactive, boots-on-the-ground festival. Fans can expect a massive parade featuring drivers from the NASCAR Cup Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the ARCA Menards Series. There are interactive contests, ridiculous games, and actual high-value prizes on the line, including highly coveted garage and pit passes. To cap off the night, Tailgate Revival will hit the stage for a live performance, keeping the energy electric long after the sun goes down. You can’t have a proper Talladega throwdown without the right guest list. The driver lineup slated to join the fans includes Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Noah Gragson, and Connor Zilisch, alongside automotive personality Cleetus McFarland and NASCAR TV host Daryl Motte. Seeing these guys step out of their motorhomes to mix it up with the fans is what makes this sport entirely unique. You won’t see NFL quarterbacks playing cornhole with fans the night before the Super Bowl, but at Talladega, the barrier between the superstars and the bleachers virtually disappears.

3. A Full Weekend of Racing and Revelry

Josh Harris, the Region President of Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway, knows exactly what is at stake when the gates open. “The Big One on the Boulevard kicks off the weekend with an infield party that brings fans closer to their favorite drivers and the excitement that makes Talladega so special,” Harris explained. The economic and cultural impact of this weekend cannot be overstated. It drives local tourism, packs the grandstands, and reminds everyone why this track is a bucket-list destination for sports fans globally. Once the Boulevard party wraps up, the rubber finally meets the road. The weekend features a relentless schedule of high-banked drafting action. On Saturday, April 25, the ARCA Menards Series Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The following day is the main event. The NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 takes the green flag at 3:00 p.m. ET. If you’re on the fence about making the pilgrimage to Alabama, take a page out of White’s playbook. Grab your friends, pack a cooler, maybe find someone willing to share a little homemade lightning in a mason jar, and get ready for a weekend you will genuinely never forget.

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