Sparks Energy 300
Venue: | Talladega Superspeedway |
Main sponsor: | Aaron's |
First race: | 1992 |
Distance: | 311.22 miles (500.88 km) |
Number of laps: | 117 |
Former names: |
Fram Filter 500K (1992–1994)
Humminbird Fishfinder 500K (1995-1996) Birmingham Auto Dealers 500K (1997) Touchstone Energy 300 (1998-2000) Subway 300 (2001) Aaron's 312 at Talladega (2002) Aaron's 312 (2003-2014) Winn-Dixie 300 (2015) |
The Sparks Energy 300 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series car race held on the Talladega Superspeedway . The race is sponsored by Aaron's, a household item leasing company. The twelve extra miles of the race, which is usually scheduled for over 300 miles, are used for marketing purposes by the sponsor.
When the race was introduced, the racing distance was 500 km and 312 miles, respectively. It was the longest race in the Nationwide Series. However, auto races with a kilometer-based race distance are rare in the US , especially in NASCAR. In the case of the Talladega Superspeedway, however, there were ARCA races before, which went over a distance of 500 km, since "500" appears more lucrative than "300" for marketing reasons. In 1998 fans complained about the use of the metric indication because it is practically not used in the USA and the length of the racetrack itself is also given in miles. As a result, management decided to adjust the race distance to 300 miles, which was driven between 1998 and 2001. In addition, the race was shortened by four laps.
In 2002, Aaron's became the main sponsor and the race has since returned over 312 miles, which happens to be the original distance but is due to the sponsor's slogan.
winner
- 2019: Tyler Reddick
- 2018: Spencer Gallagher
- 2017: Aric Almirola
- 2016: Elliott Sadler
- 2015: Joey Logano
- 2014: Elliott Sadler
- 2013: Regan Smith
- 2012: Joey Logano
- 2011: Kyle Busch
- 2010: Brad Keselowski
- 2009: David Ragan
- 2008: Tony Stewart
- 2007: Bobby Labonte
- 2006: Martin Truex junior
- 2005: Martin Truex junior
- 2004: Martin Truex junior
- 2003: Dale Earnhardt junior
- 2002: Jason Keller
- 2001: Mike McLaughlin
- 2000: Joe Nemechek
- 1999: Terry Labonte
- 1998: Joe Nemechek
- 1997: Mark Martin
- 1996: Greg Sacks
- 1995: Chad Little
- 1994: Ken Schrader
- 1993: Dale Earnhardt
- 1992: Ernie Irvan