The 'Dega Do Club' is a Talladega infield story worth sharing
There are plenty of stories and experiences one finds along the famed Talladega Boulevard. Many of those stories -- rightly so -- stay at Talladega where they simply remain hazy memories to never be discussed again.
However, the tale of the "Dega Do Club" is one that deserves to be shared.
What started as a group of friends from Georgia heading down to take in a race at Talladega Superspeedway has evolved into a highly organized, close-knit group that hosts one of the biggest and most popular party spots on Talladega Boulevard.
The group's leaders -- Cory "Wally" Waldrop and Henry "Cole" Forrest -- have gained a bit of fame through the track's 'Big One on the Boulevard' event that brings fans and drivers together.
During last year's MoonPie eating contest, Wally and Cole impressed the drivers with their outfits (Wally as 'Dega Man' and Cole as the "Copenhagen Warrior") and their ability to scarf down the tasty treats in a timely fashion.
Clint Bowyer was actually the one to give Cole's character the name "Copenhagen Warrior," because his gladiator-style costume is made almost entirely out of chewing tobacco tin lids.
Cole gained even more notoriety when after winning the MoonPie eating contest he did a belly flop into a shallow kiddie pool.
Michael "Target Man" Bradshaw also got to meet his favorite driver, Kyle Larson, when he dressed up in a white, spandex body suit with a red shorts and suspenders, and white cape with the Target logo on the back.
"Copenhagen Warrior" Cole dives into a pool of water in the infield after winning a moon pie eating contest at Talladega Superspeedway on May 2, 2014 in Talladega, Alabama.
Their spot is so popular, Danica Patrick even came by to say hello during one of the 2014 Talladega race weekends.
However, despite being the most widely recognized of the group, Forrest was quick to point out each member of their group played a crucial role in the success of the weekend.
With 15 to 20 total members, 13 of the Dega Do Club made the trek to Talladega Superspeedway's famous Talladega Boulevard for this past weekend's event. They included Wally, Cole, Mike, Brandon Terry, Marino Farve, Lee Meador, Matthew Morgenthaw, Jim "Big Jim" Evans, Casey Akins, Joe "Shut Up Joe" Pingue, Joey "Hollywood" Pingue, Steve Kozar and Tino Pingue.
"None of this would be possible without the planning of Wally and Brandon," Forrest said. "They handle the majority of everything and it takes so much to plan it all."
The extensive planning is clear when walking past their elaborate setup on Talladega Boulevard. Taking up five spots along the boulevard, the Dega Do Club's setup is easy to spot.
High above the campers sits an elaborate PVC structure with flags supporting the country, the military and a variety of drivers. A stoplight blinks bright and draws the crowd into the large white tent containing a full bar and makeshift dance floor. In the next spot, Big Jim is constantly working his large grill setup making everything from brisket to crawfish to breakfast. A TV with a satellite feed sits in Joe's space, and on Saturday night there was a large crowd gathered to watch the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight.
The atmosphere is welcoming, energetic and fun for all.
A look at the Dega Do Club setup on Talladega Boulevard.
One thing you won't find at the Dega Do Club setup? A stripper pole.
While that might not seem so out of the ordinary, this is Talladega Boulevard after all.
Across the way from the Dega Do Club, a large group of fans are gathered around as a young lady dances around a pole to the thumping music. Camera flashes go off, beads are thrown and cheers are sent into the night's air.
It is a familiar scene up and down the boulevard.
Meanwhile, the party continues at the Dega Do Club spot, with men and women dancing, drinking and talking racing. No peer pressure, no poles, no big deal.
"Target Man" Mike said while flashing and dancing on the pole might be what some infield partiers are all about, that is not how the Dega Do Club does things.
The group wants everyone involved to have a good time at their spot and does not want to alienate women from coming by and checking out their party. If they want to visit the other spots up and down the boulevard, they have plenty of other options.
That integrity and thoughtfulness is not just shown by the absence of a stripper pole, everything the Dega Do Club does is well thought out.
The group has official members and honorary members, they have t-shirts and koozies with their logos on them, they have a bank account set up to help pay for the expense of lights, tents, food and drinks, and they recognize and respect one another like a family.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. poses with a Dega Do Club koozie at Talladega Superspeedway.
After Sunday's race, the group took time breaking down the entire setup piece by piece, with everyone lending a hand until the entire process was done. Afterward, the group sat around and voted for the "Dega Doer" award, to the member that showed the most heart and passion throughout the weekend.
Mike made the plaque out of wood and after each race weekend the winner's name is added and they hold onto the award until the next race. This year, the award went to Marino Favre.
In addition, the "Charlie Hustle" award went to the hardest worker of the group. This year, Lee Meador took home the honor, which included an autographed Brendan Gaughan hat, $100 off his trip next and $80 cash in his pocket.
Then, "Shut Up" Joe was officially made a member of the Dega Do Club. Joe met the group last year when he camped next to them and spent the weekend amid their party. He was made an honorary member, he placed himself on "probation" and on Sunday night he was made an official member.
After the awards were handed out, the group took turns behind the megaphone (to make up for the booming music coming from the setup across the way -- the one with the pole) to thank each other and wrap up the weekend.
One by one, the Dega Do Club took the megaphone and opened up about their experiences not only from the weekend, but also the group as a whole.
While most of the group comes from the Gwinnett, Georgia area, Mike hails from Upstate New York and has known the rest of the guys for about 15 days total. He first made the trip when a friend moved to Georgia and could not go. He suggested Mike check it out, and he is glad he did.
That first trip was a life-changing experience for Bradshaw. He was instantly accepted into the group and became lifelong friends with the Dega Do Club.
Standing up there with the megaphone, another weekend of memories behind him, Mike could not help but get emotional. The rest of the guys were quickly there to hug it out and to give the love right back.
"I wish I had friends like these guys back home," he said.
There is a lot that goes on in the infield at Talladega Superspeedway. The raucous and rowdy fun often goes over-the-top and is not suitable for publication. However, the case of the Dega Do Club is much different.
This is a tight-knit family of guys that not only cares deeply about one another, but also the sport that brings them together. Throughout it all, none of the group forgets why they are there. Each has their favorite driver and team, and they show them off proudly.
This is what makes the NASCAR community and NASCAR fans so special.
The Dega Do Club poses at the end of another successful weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
