Racing Films

Released on Halloween in 2010 ‘The Legend of Hallowdega’ is a short film made as a promotion for the AMP Energy Juice 500 at Talladega Speedway.   The project was funded by Pepsi Co and they employed Terry Gilliam from Monty Python as the Director to ensure that there would be a fair amount of wackiness.  To add to the spectacle Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran a special livery for the race, I have added a photo below this review.  While only around 18 minutes long it has the quality of a full production and a cool soundtrack.  I particularly love the background music of ‘It’s a Curse’ by Wolf Parade.

The plot is pretty simple, the film presents a mockumentary TV Show called ‘The World of the Unexplained’.  The show is hosted by Justin Thyme (Justin Kirk) and explores many of the strange happenings at Talladega.  We quickly get introduced to a crazed shaman called Kiyash Monsef played by former WCW heavyweight wrestling champion David Arquette.  Monsef has dedicated his life to prove that ancient Indian spirits are behind the strange activity and many accidents at Talladega.

The plot of the film is inspired by the idea that in reality perhaps there is something strange going on at Talladega.  As referenced in the film it may be true that Talladega speedway was built on an ancient Native burial ground.  The land in the area was once home to the Chalaka Tribe of Shawnee Indians who called their village Chalakaguy.  The tribe was then displaced following the Creek War after the formation of the Treaty of Fort Jackson resulting in the confederated tribes surrendering more than 21 million acres of land in Georgia and Alabama in 1814.  Plenty here for the Native American spirits to be pissed about.

Whether or not these spirits continue to take out their anger on Talladega I’ll leave for you to decide, but many of the drivers approach the race with some anxiety and superstition.  Some of the events that have contributed to these legends are:

• The first race in 1969 resulted in a controversial driver strike because the normally reliable tires were wearing quickly and exploding
• In 1969 Bobby Isaac pulled out of the race after hearing a voice telling him to get out.
• 1973 Rookie of the Year Larry smith died in a single car crash
• 1974 several cars were sabotaged on the morning of the race. Driver Buddy Baker was quoted as saying, “someone had tried to commit mass murder”.
• 1975 two Petty Enterprises crew members were killed by an exploding air tank in the pits.
• 1987 Bobby Allison was involved in a serious crash that sent his car into the catch fencing and sprayed debris into the crowd injuring five spectators.
• 1993 Bobby Allison’s son Davy Allison was killed while attempting to land a helicopter on the infield.
• 1996 American Automobile Association president Bob Loga died after a traffic accident in the parking lot.
• In 2002 Mark Martin collided with Jimmie Johnson on the pace laps before the race even started. The crash was caused by a failure in Martin’s power steering forcing him hard left into Johnson.
• In 2009 Carl Edwards had a similar crash to Allison injuring seven spectators.
• In 2012 there was a last lap crash that involved 25 cars.

In 2009 the then track president reached out to the Native American community to perform balancing ceremony to help restore balance to the land.  The ceremony was performed by Bob Thrower who blessed the track and asked for reconciliation so that balance could be restored.

Strange things still happen at Talladega and it is famous for many large accidents, but this is attributed to the high average speeds and close racing caused by running a restrictor plate series.  Off the track the fans who attend the NASCAR race are just as wacky.  Talladega is famous amongst fans for wild off track parties and many people wear costumes to the event which usually falls close to or on Halloween.

The film, while short, tries to squeeze in acknowledgement of all of these aspects with a dose of humour.  It highlights that there is a lot of superstition and mysticism around Talladega.  The deranged character of Kiyash Monsef is an amplified reflection of what can happen to our minds if we take these things too seriously.  I won’t ruin the plot twist but, while they are present, it is not the spirits of those passed that are causing the unusual happenings.  Despite this, maybe there are some warnings being given from people and events in the past that we should be asking questions about the risks associated with the close fast racing at Talladega. Looking at the history Talladega does appear to have had more than it’s natural share of significant events and in the words of Justin Thyme “What is truer than the truth”?

Our rating, three Hartley’s.