Nishitha Dutta
Directed by Adam McKay, ‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ is a sports comedy film starring Will Ferrell, also credited for penning the script along with McKay. It follows NASCAR racing driver Ricky Bobby (Ferrell), whose inherent desire to outshine everyone creates problems with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), always the second-best performer in the team. To maintain their friendship, Cal must make sure never to seize all the attention from Ricky.
However, the situation changes when a talented French Formula One champion (Sacha Baron Cohen) enters the picture. Replete with outrageous comedy and mind-blowing action sequences, if the visuals of this 2006 film have piqued your curiosity, and you’re wondering where it was shot, we have got your back! Here’s everything you need to know about the filming locations!
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Filming Locations
‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ was primarily filmed in North Carolina, with a few of the scenes in the state of Alabama. Filming of the action-packed auto-racing film took place sometime around November 2005. Let’s learn more details about the specific shooting sites!
Concord, North Carolina
Some of the electrifying action sports sequences were filmed in the Charlotte Motor Speedway, also known as the Lowe’s Motor Speedway (1999-2009), located at 5555 Concord Parkway South, just 13 miles outside Charlotte, in Concord. Founded in 1959, this 1.5 miles quad-oval track is known as the home track for NASCAR and has housed reputable games over the years. Co-producer Jimmy Miller proposed the initial manuscript titled ‘Will Ferrell as a NASCAR driver’ to Sony Pictures, who took it up, and NASCAR subsequently signed up to serve behind the scenes.
Moving on, Fast Track Enterprises and K4 Motorsports collaborated to deliver high-class action attributed to their impeccable race cars, adequate car hauling facilities, and highly specialized stunt coordination team. Moreover, K4 Motorsports took it a notch higher by customizing a few cars in the movie, including Bobby’s “ME” ride. ‘Herbie: Fully Loaded’ and ‘3: The Dale Earnhardt Story’ are two other movies promoted under this glorious collaboration.
Twin Panaflex cameras filming TALLADEGA NIGHTS pic.twitter.com/yZggr3qGNc
— Core of Movies (@CoreofMovies) February 6, 2019
Other Locations in North Carolina
Several action shots, which are a product of brilliant cinematography, were taken at the Rockingham Speedway located at 2152 North US Highway 1, in Rockingham, another city in North Carolina. Formerly known as the North Carolina Motor Speedway, it is a flat one-mile oval, known for previously hosting the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, and other important racing tournaments. Apart from that, Ricky Bobby’s luxury mansion is actually a European-style estate near Lake Norman, located 20 miles north of Charlotte.
Talladega, Alabama
The movie also features the Talladega Superspeedway, affectionately known as “Dega,” a motorsports arena located at 3366 Speedway Blvd, Lincoln, north of Talladega in Alabama. The production team reportedly spent one week filming at the esteemed location that hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Founded in 1969, it is the world’s longest NASCAR oval. Shawn Patrick Lane, one of the stuntmen, posted an on-set picture at the Talladega Superspeedway.
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