Talladega Superspeedway just completed a complete repaving of the track, with more than 50,000 tons of asphalt flattening out the rough, bumpy surface that hadn't been paved since 1979.
Pit road and the pit stalls also were widened and six non-Chase drivers tested on the track this week to generally rave reviews. The banking and turns remained the same.
Rick Humphrey, vice president and general manager of the superspeedway, said Saturday that drivers should feel more comfortable and the track also will look nicer. He said speeds were not expected to increase on the already notorious fast track.
Humphrey said the improvements should keep the track from needing another repaving for decades. He declined to reveal the cost of the project.
The fresh track is officially broken in for NASCAR series races Oct. 6-8.