Which NASCAR track has the steepest banking?

Talladega Superspeedway has the steepest banking of any track used by NASCAR’s national series, with 33-degree turns. Banking refers to the angle of the racing surface relative to the horizontal, and steeper banking allows higher cornering speeds. Understanding where Talladega stands among NASCAR venues highlights why the track produces the sport’s fastest pack racing and some of its most dramatic finishes.

What “steepest banking” means in NASCAR

Banking is measured in degrees, indicating how sharply the track is inclined in the corners and sometimes on the straights. Higher banking lets cars carry more speed through turns by generating additional lateral grip. Some venues use “variable” or “progressive” banking—slightly different angles from the bottom to the top of the racing groove—to promote multiple racing lines and increase passing opportunities.

The steepest NASCAR track: Talladega Superspeedway

At 2.66 miles with 33-degree banking in the turns, Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, is the steepest venue on the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series calendars. Its tri-oval frontstretch is also banked (approximately 16.5 degrees), while the backstretch is comparatively flat (about 2 degrees). The extreme turn banking enables the sustained high speeds and tight drafting packs that define superspeedway racing, while NASCAR’s rules package—now centered on tapered spacers and aero limits—manages peak speeds for safety.

How Talladega compares to other high-banked NASCAR tracks

The following comparison places Talladega’s 33-degree turns alongside other prominent NASCAR venues to show how its banking stacks up across the schedule.

• Talladega Superspeedway — 33° in the turns (steepest on the national-series schedule)
• Daytona International Speedway — 31° in the turns; 18° on the tri-oval/frontstretch
• Atlanta Motor Speedway — 28° in the turns since its 2022 reprofile
• Bristol Motor Speedway — variable ~24–28° in the turns (progressive banking)
• Dover Motor Speedway — ~24° in the turns
• Darlington Raceway — up to ~25° in the turns
• Homestead-Miami Speedway — variable ~18–20° in the turns
• Pocono Raceway — Turn 1 ~14°, Turn 2 ~8°, Turn 3 ~6° (three distinct corners)
• Martinsville Speedway — ~12° in the turns
• New Hampshire Motor Speedway — ~7° in the turns

These figures underscore the gap: while several tracks feature aggressive banking, none on the current national-series slate surpass Talladega’s 33-degree turns. Some non-Cup short tracks in the wider stock-car world can be steeper—Winchester Speedway in Indiana is often cited around 37 degrees—but they are not part of the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, or Truck schedules.

Why banking angle matters

Steeper banking increases the component of normal force acting toward a turn’s center, letting cars maintain higher speeds without relying solely on tire grip. At superspeedways like Talladega and Daytona, that translates to pack racing where drafting and air management are as critical as raw horsepower. At mile-and-a-half or short tracks, banking shapes passing zones, tire wear, and multi-groove racing, all of which influence strategy, pit windows, and outcomes.

A note on measurements and “variable” banking

Published banking degrees can vary slightly by source because measurements may reference the inside lane, middle groove, or top lane, and some tracks use progressive banking that changes across the racing surface. When comparing tracks, the commonly cited figure is the maximum banking in the turns, which is why Talladega’s 33-degree maximum is the benchmark.

Summary

Talladega Superspeedway holds the title for steepest banking among NASCAR’s national-series venues with 33-degree turns. Daytona follows at 31 degrees, and Atlanta’s 2022 reprofile pushed it to 28 degrees. The pronounced banking at Talladega is a key ingredient in its high-speed, draft-heavy racing that defines modern superspeedway events.

How steep is the banking at Daytona?

The turns at Daytona International Speedway are banked at 31 degrees, with the tri-oval’s frontstretch having a lesser 18 degrees of banking. This extreme angle allows NASCAR cars to achieve high speeds of nearly 200 mph through the turns by providing the necessary grip and stability. In comparison to typical highway banking of 2-4 degrees, the 31-degree banking at Daytona feels like standing on a very steep hill.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the banking angles at Daytona and other NASCAR tracks: 30sMR.GOODDAYYouTube · May 19, 2025
Key Banking Details: 

• Turns: 31 degrees
• Tri-Oval: 18 degrees
• Purpose: The high banking counteracts centrifugal force, helping cars maintain high speeds and grip through the turns.

Which NASCAR track is the hardest?

The title of “hardest NASCAR track” is subjective, but two tracks consistently mentioned for their difficulty are Darlington Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway. Darlington, “The Track Too Tough to Tame,” is known for its uniquely “egg-shaped” design and narrow racing surface forcing drivers close to the wall. Bristol, “The Monster Mile,” is a short, steep concrete track where high speeds and extreme banking lead to intense competition and frequent contact. 
Darlington Raceway (“The Lady in Black” / “The Track Too Tough to Tame”) 

• Unique Shape: Its unconventional, slightly asymmetrical design makes it difficult to set up a car to perform well on both ends. 
• Close Quarters: Drivers must run extremely close to the outer wall to find the fastest line, leaving little room for error and making scrapes common. 
• History of Danger: In its early years, the track was exceptionally challenging, with several fatalities occurring due to the dangers. 

This video shows a driver’s perspective from Darlington Raceway: 44sBleacher ReportYouTube · Feb 21, 2025
Bristol Motor Speedway (“The Monster Mile”) 

• Short & Steep: This short track features extremely steep banking that pushes cars to their limits. 
• Concrete Surface: The concrete surface and high speeds create intense racing and car contact. 
• Crowded Racing: Due to its width and high speeds, three-wide racing is nearly impossible, forcing intense battles in a tight space. 

This video discusses the challenges of racing at Bristol Motor Speedway: 58sThe Daily DownforceYouTube · Nov 6, 2024
Other tracks considered difficult include:

• Dover International Speedway: Known as “The Monster Mile,” it’s a high-banked concrete track where grip can be hard to find. 
• Martinsville Speedway: A short, flat track requiring precise driving to avoid contact. 

How steep is Talladega banking?

The banking at Talladega Superspeedway is 33 degrees in the turns, making it the steepest banking in NASCAR and allowing cars to reach speeds over 200 mph. The tri-oval banking is 16.5 degrees, while the backstretch is a flatter 2 to 3 degrees.
 
This video shows the banking on Talladega: 30sMR.GOODDAYYouTube · May 19, 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the banking angles at Talladega: 

• Turns: 33 degrees
• Tri-oval: 16.5 degrees
• Backstretch: 2 to 3 degrees

This extreme banking is a key feature of the track, enabling cars to maintain high speeds through the corners by providing the necessary centripetal force to counteract centrifugal force. The steep incline feels significant, like a steep hill, and is a crucial part of the high-speed, close racing Talladega is known for.

Which NASCAR track has the least banking?

Pocono Raceway
This 2.5 mile superspeedway has considerably less banking and much sharper turns than other tracks of similar size. Typically, the most exciting parts of a race at Pocono are the restarts. It is not uncommon to see cars go four- or five-wide down the front stretch.