View source for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

{{Short description|2006 American sports comedy film}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use American English|date = August 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
| image          = Talladega nights.jpg
| alt            =
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Adam McKay]]
| producer       = Jimmy Miller<br>[[Judd Apatow]]
| writer         = [[Will Ferrell]]<br>Adam McKay
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* Will Ferrell
* [[John C. Reilly]]
* [[Sacha Baron Cohen]]
* [[Gary Cole]]
* [[Michael Clarke Duncan]]
}}
| music          = [[Alex Wurman]]
| cinematography = [[Oliver Wood (cinematographer)|Oliver Wood]]
| editing        = [[Brent White]]
| production_companies = [[Columbia Pictures]] <br />[[Relativity Media]] <br />[[Apatow Productions|The Apatow Company]] <br />[[Mosaic Media Group]]
| distributor    = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]
| released       = {{Film date|2006|08|04}}
| runtime        = 108 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $72.5 million<ref name="mojo" />
| gross          = $163.4 million<ref name="mojo" />
}}
'''''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby''''' is a 2006 American [[Sports film|sports]] [[comedy film]] directed by [[Adam McKay]] who co-wrote the film with [[Will Ferrell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0415306/|title=Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Martin|date=June 9, 2006 |work=[[Lowe's Motor Speedway]]<br>August 4, 2006 (United States)|access-date=February 10, 2018|via=www.imdb.com}}</ref> It features Ferrell as the titular Ricky Bobby, an immature yet successful [[NASCAR]] driver. The film also features [[John C. Reilly]], [[Sacha Baron Cohen]], [[Gary Cole]], [[Michael Clarke Duncan]], [[Leslie Bibb]], [[Jane Lynch]], and [[Amy Adams]] in supporting roles. NASCAR drivers [[Jamie McMurray]] and [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]] appear in cameos, as do broadcasting teams from ''[[NASCAR on Fox]]'' ([[Mike Joy]], [[Larry McReynolds]], [[Darrell Waltrip]], and [[Dick Berggren]]) and ''[[NASCAR on NBC]]'' ([[Bill Weber]], [[Wally Dallenbach Jr.]], and [[Benny Parsons]]).
The film was released theatrically on August 4, 2006, by [[Columbia Pictures]] through [[Sony Pictures Releasing]] to critical and commercial success, grossing $163.4 million worldwide against a $72 million budget.
==Plot==
In rural [[North Carolina]], Ricky Bobby is born in the backseat of a speeding [[Chevrolet Chevelle]] when his father, Reese, accidentally misses the turnoff for the hospital. Ricky sees his father only once after that, at age 10, at his school for career day. Before leaving, Reese tells Ricky, "If you ain't first, you're last", advice which Ricky takes to heart. Fifteen years later, Ricky works on the pit crew of Dennit Racing driver Terry Cheveaux. When last-placed Cheveaux decides to take a bathroom break, Ricky replaces him and finishes third. Larry Dennit Sr. gives Ricky a permanent seat and he quickly rises to be one of [[NASCAR]]'s most successful drivers. He meets his future wife Carley when she flashes her breasts after one of his wins.
Ricky and his two unruly sons, Walker and Texas Ranger, move in with Ricky's disciplinarian mother Lucy, who is determined to reform the boys. Ricky takes a job as a [[pizza delivery]] man, but after he loses his driver's license for hitting a shopping cart and a police officer, he is reduced to delivering pizza by bus or by a child-sized bicycle. When his life hits rock bottom, Reese returns and uses unorthodox methods (such as putting a live [[cougar]] in his car), driving blindfold down the street, and outrunning the police to help Ricky regain his confidence and getting him a new driver's license. After causing trouble at an [[Applebee's]] restaurant, Reese abandons the family again. Before he does, he refutes his quote that has steered Ricky's life, confessing that it was nonsense because he was high on drugs at the time. Ricky's former assistant, Susan, persuades him to return to NASCAR and they quickly develop a romantic relationship. On race day at [[Talladega Superspeedway]], Ricky is reunited with his pit crew, who have emblazoned Ricky's car with a cougar and the word "ME" to build his self-confidence. Ricky meets with Girard, who admits he came to America hoping to lose to a superior driver so he can retire. Ricky also makes amends with Cal.
During the race, Ricky climbs from last to second behind Girard. In the final laps, however, Dennit orders Cal to knock Ricky out of the race. Cal refuses, instead, helping Ricky pass Girard. Dennit then orders Brian Wavecrest, Ricky's replacement driver to take Cal out instead, causing [[The Big One (NASCAR)|a massive wreck]] that eliminates everyone except Ricky and Girard. On the final lap, Ricky and Girard collide, wrecking their cars. They hastily exit their vehicles and run towards the finish line, and Ricky dives across the line first. Girard offers Ricky a handshake for allowing him to retire, but Ricky responds by kissing him on the lips. Both drivers, however, are disqualified for exiting their cars and Cal, who was in third place, becomes the winner. Following his victory, Cal and Ricky reconcile and become friends again. In the parking lot, Reese congratulates Ricky, who declares that it was no longer about winning, since his family loves him no matter where he finishes. Ricky, his family and Susan leave to get thrown out of an Applebee's.
In a post credits scene, Lucy is shown reading a [[William Faulkner]] story to Walker and Texas Ranger, both of whom are now respectful, sophisticated children.
==Cast==
{{Div col}}
* [[Will Ferrell]] as Ricky Bobby, a [[NASCAR]] driver who only believes in winning throughout his career. He originally drove the #26 Laughing Clown Malt Liquor car until it became sponsored by [[Wonder Bread]] and [[Powerade]] during his soar to the top of NASCAR and the #62 ME car at the Talladega 500 at the end of the movie.
** Jake Johnson as 5-year-old Ricky.
** Luke Bigham as 10-year-old Ricky.
* [[John C. Reilly]] as Cal Naughton Jr., Bobby's best friend and teammate. He drives the #47 [[Old Spice]] car.
** Austin Grimm as 10-year-old Cal.
* [[Michael Clarke Duncan]] as Lucius Washington, Ricky's crew chief and close friend. After Ricky's firing, he and the pit crew started a [[car wash]], where they had a hard time adjusting to the career change. They eventually return as the pit crew of Ricky's ME car.
* [[Leslie Bibb]] as Carley Bobby, Ricky's former wife and currently Cal's wife after she fears Ricky will not successfully return to NASCAR.
* [[Gary Cole]] as Reese Bobby, Ricky's father.
* [[Jane Lynch]] as Lucy Bobby, Ricky's mother.
* [[Andy Richter]] as Gregory, Girard's husband and a world-class trainer of German shepherds.
* [[Amy Adams]] as Susan, Ricky's assistant and eventual love interest.
* [[Houston Tumlin]] and [[Grayson Russell]] as Walker and Texas Ranger Bobby, Ricky's and Carley's two sons.
* [[Adam McKay]] (the film's director and co-scriptwriter) as Terry Cheveaux, an apathetic driver who is replaced by Bobby at the beginning of the film.
* [[David Koechner]], [[Ian Roberts (American actor)|Ian Roberts]] and [[Jack McBrayer]] as Hershell, Kyle and Glenn, Bobby's three pit crew members. They join Lucius at the car wash before returning to be Ricky's pit crew. Though Glenn was initially claimed to have died while working on the car, he is revealed to still be alive, and had pretended to die as extra motivation for Ricky to win.
* [[Pat Hingle]] as Larry Dennit Sr., original owner of Bobby's team, Dennit Racing who considers Ricky to be a son. After retiring, his son, Larry Dennit Jr., takes over the team halfway through Bobby's career.
* [[Greg Germann]] as Larry Dennit Jr., the current owner of Dennit Racing, who is concerned only with season point totals and winning sponsors, and dislikes Ricky and his antics.
* [[Molly Shannon]] as Mrs. Dennit, the younger Dennit's alcoholic wife.
* [[Ted Manson]] as Chip, Bobby's elderly, long-suffering former father-in-law.
* [[Rob Riggle]] as Jack Telmont, the [[Speed Channel]] commentator.
* C.J. Dornberger plays fictional Brian Wavecrest who replaces Bobby in the 26 car at the end of the film after being driven by the No. 86.
* [[Elvis Costello]] and [[Mos Def]], guests at Girard's party (Girard claimed they were not them).
* [[Jack Blessing]] as Jarvis, Cal's crew chief.
* [[Greg Biffle]], in a special feature but not credited.
* [[Frank Welker]] as vocal sounds of the cougar.
The broadcasters and various real-life NASCAR drivers and/or their cars from the [[2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series|2005 NASCAR season]] can also be seen, including:
Drivers: [[Dale Jarrett]], [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]], [[Kasey Kahne]], [[Tony Stewart]], [[J. J. Yeley]], [[Jason Leffler]], [[Brian Vickers]], [[Jeff Gordon]], [[Jimmie Johnson]], [[Kyle Busch]], [[Boris Said]], [[Tony Raines]], [[Mike Wallace (racing driver)|Mike Wallace]], [[Kerry Earnhardt]], [[Jeff Green (racing driver)|Jeff Green]], [[Jamie McMurray]]
Cars only: [[Casey Mears]], [[Jeremy Mayfield]], [[Bobby Labonte]], [[Terry Labonte]], [[Travis Kvapil]], [[Mark Martin]], [[Carl Edwards]], [[Mike Bliss]], [[Scott Wimmer]], [[Jamie McMurray]], [[Rusty Wallace]], [[Kurt Busch]], [[Elliott Sadler]], [[Greg Biffle]], [[Matt Kenseth]], [[Michael Waltrip]], [[Ryan Newman (racing driver)|Ryan Newman]], [[Scott Riggs]], [[Joe Nemechek]], [[Sterling Marlin]], [[Jeff Burton]], [[Ken Schrader]], [[Kevin Lepage]], [[Mike Skinner (racing driver)|Mike Skinner]], [[Kenny Wallace]], [[Bobby Hamilton Jr.]], [[Hermie Sadler]], [[Robby Gordon]], [[Kevin Harvick]], [[Kyle Petty]], and [[Johnny Sauter]].
Broadcasters:  [[Mike Joy]], [[Darrell Waltrip]], [[Larry McReynolds]], [[Dick Berggren]], [[Bill Weber]], [[Benny Parsons]], [[Wally Dallenbach Jr.]], [[Bob Jenkins]] and [[Rick Benjamin (announcer)|Rick Benjamin]]
{{div col end}}
==Production==
===Development===
Adam McKay and Will Ferrell first discussed a comedic film about a NASCAR driver while Ferrell was making [[Elf (film)|''Elf'']]. Shortly after that film had wrapped, co-producer Jimmy Miller invited them to a NASCAR race in [[Fontana, California]], after which McKay and Ferrell began writing the script.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://madeinatlantis.com/movies_central/2006/talladega_nights.htm|title=Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)|date=July 26, 2014|website=Made in Atlantis|language=en-US|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref> They presented the idea to studios using only a six-word pitch: "Will Ferrell as a NASCAR driver". Studios responded enthusiastically to the pitch largely due to Ferrell's recent commercial success as a comedic leading man in films like ''Elf'', ''[[Old School (2003 film)|Old School]]'' and ''[[Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy|Anchorman]]''. After a bidding war, the rights were won by Sony Pictures. McKay and Ferrell knew that in order to make the film they envisioned they would need cooperation from NASCAR. After meeting with the filmmakers, NASCAR agreed to provide assistance for the film's production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-07-30-0608010379-story.html|title=With film, NASCAR steers itself into Hollywood|last=Dunne|first=Susan|date=July 30, 2006|website=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|language=en-US|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref> McKay and Ferrell sought to make a film that individuals involved with NASCAR would enjoy in the same way that people in the television news industry enjoyed ''Anchorman''. Ferrell stated, "We were real adamant up front that our goal wasn't to make fun of NASCAR. We wanted to have fun with NASCAR." Despite NASCAR's involvement, many teams and drivers were reluctant to participate largely due to the negative feelings they had for the 1990 film ''[[Days of Thunder]]''. Only two drivers ended up making cameos in the film: [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]] and [[Jamie McMurray]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/17218225/nascar-talladega-nights-10-oral-history | title='Talladega Nights' at 10: An oral history | date=August 4, 2016}}</ref> During development, the film's title changed from ''Talladega Nights'' to ''High, Wide and Handsome'' before eventually reverting to the original title.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2005/10/02/nascar-tosses-crew-chief-out-for-violations/ | title=NASCAR tosses crew chief out for violations|last=James|first=Brant|work=[[Tampa Bay Times]]|date=October 7, 2005|access-date=September 13, 2022}}</ref>
===Filming===
With the exception of one week of shooting at [[Talladega Superspeedway]] in [[Alabama]], the entire film was filmed in [[North Carolina]] with the majority of filming occurring in the [[Charlotte metropolitan area|Charlotte Metropolitan Area]]. Many of the racing scenes were filmed at the [[Charlotte Motor Speedway]] in [[Concord, North Carolina]] and [[Rockingham Speedway]] also known as The Rock. Various other scenes were filmed in the [[Gaston County, North Carolina]] area, including the Pizza Delivery, DMV Driving Test, and Church Choir scenes. The Pizza Delivery sequence began in Downtown [[Cramerton, North Carolina]] and concluded at the ''Midtown Motor Inn'' in [[Gastonia, North Carolina]]. Both the DMV Driving Test and the Church Choir scenes were filmed on the campus of First Baptist Church in Cramerton, North Carolina. Scenes at The Pit Stop, the bar the characters frequent and Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard first meet were filmed in a recently closed sports bar in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]].<ref name="Emanuel Levy Cinema 24/7">{{cite web |title=Emanuel Levy Cinema 24/7 |url=https://emanuellevy.com/interviews/talladega-nights-with-adam-mckay-4/ |access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref> The scenes for the Bobby residence were filmed at a mansion on [[Lake Norman]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article175586726.html|title=Lake Norman mansion made Hollywood history. It can be yours.|last=Marusak|first=Joe|date=September 27, 2017|website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/movie-guide-2006.htm|title=Post-blockbuster Summer Movie Guide|website=[[HowStuffWorks]]|date=July 10, 2001|language=en|access-date=August 19, 2019}}</ref>
McKay was adamant about wanting to incorporate stunts in the movie, and even had Ferrell and Reilly take driving classes at the [[Richard Petty Driving Experience]] with Ferrell later stating that he was "terrified" while driving the cars. [[Andy Hillenburg]]'s Fast Track Enterprises and K4 Motorsports combined to provide race cars, hauler transportation and stunt coordination. Previously, the companies had assisted in promotion for ''[[Herbie: Fully Loaded]]'', ''[[3: The Dale Earnhardt Story]]'', and other [[stock car racing]] films. Within ''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,'' K4 Motorsports created custom wrapping for specific race cars, notably Bobby's "ME" car.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site: NASCAR/Racing Movies|url=http://www.jayski.com/pages/media-movies.htm|website=Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site|access-date=February 9, 2015|date=September 29, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/17218225/nascar-talladega-nights-10-oral-history | title='Talladega Nights' at 10: An oral history | date=August 4, 2016|access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref>
==Reception==
===Box office===
[[File:Will ferrell at premiere.JPG|thumb|Ferrell at the premiere of ''Talladega Nights'', September 12, 2006]]
The film grossed US$47 million in its first week, and was the {{Abbr|No.|Number}} 1 film at the box office, making it at the time, the largest opening weekend of Ferrell's career, before being passed by 2014's ''[[The Lego Movie]]''. The film grossed $148.2 million in the US and Canada, and $15.1 million in other territories for a total worldwide gross of $163 million making it Ferrell's fourth highest-grossing film behind ''The Lego Movie'', [[Elf (film)|''Elf'']] and ''[[Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues|Anchorman 2]]'' and McKay's highest-grossing film behind ''Anchorman 2'' and ''[[The Other Guys]]''.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |url= http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=talladeganights.htm |title= Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby |website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |date=April 26, 2007 |access-date= April 26, 2020}}</ref>
===Critical response===
{{anchor|Critics|Critical response}}
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'' has an approval rating of 71% based on 188 reviews, with an average rating of 6.51/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Though it occasionally stalls, ''Talladega Nights''{{'}} mix of satire, clever gags, and excellent ensemble performances put it squarely in the winner's circle."<ref>{{cite web |title= Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) |url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/talladega_nights_the_ballad_of_ricky_bobby |website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date= April 4, 2020}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title= Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby |url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/talladega-nights-the-ballad-of-ricky-bobby |website= [[Metacritic]] |access-date= April 4, 2020}}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade "B" on scale of A+ to F.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= TALLADEGA NIGHTS: BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY (2006) B |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= December 20, 2018}}</ref>
Robert Koehler of [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']] wrote: "Simultaneously teasing and loving a subject doesn't make for easy comedy, but writer-star Will Ferrell and director/co-writer Adam McKay pull it off with good-ol'-boy good nature in ''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby''." Koehler was surprised by the racing aspects of the film, and praised McKay's direction and Oliver Wood cinematography, saying "he gets the grit, heat and feel of NASCAR racetracks with a near-documentary sensibility."<ref>{{cite web |date=July 31, 2006 |last= Koehler |first= Robert |title= Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby |url= https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/talladega-nights-the-ballad-of-ricky-bobby-1200514483/ |website= Variety|accessdate=November 23, 2021}}</ref> Owen Gleiberman of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' found the film increasingly uneven as it progressed but praised the racing sequences: "The races are scorchingly shot, and they lend the movie a zest that was missing from ''[[Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy|Anchorman]]''".<ref>{{cite magazine |date= August 2, 2006 |author= Owen Gleiberman |author-link= Owen Gleiberman |title= Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby |url= https://ew.com/article/2006/08/02/talladega-nights-ballad-ricky-bobby-2/ |magazine= [[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>
Sheri Linden of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' wrote: "From its pitch-perfect title through just about every detail, this sendup of sports-triumph movies maintains the right parodic pitch, if not always the highest mph on the laugh speedometer."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002914699|title=Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=August 11, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811221136/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002914699|archive-date=August 11, 2006}}</ref>
British magazine ''[[Total Film]]'' gave it a perfect five-star rating, with the following verdict: "Forget the recent blips; Ferrell is back in freewheeling form. More than just the year's funniest film, ''Talladega Nights'' is one of the best films of the year."<ref>{{cite web |author1=Total Film |title=Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby review |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/talladega-nights-the-ballad-of-ricky-bobby-review/ |website=gamesradar |access-date=November 23, 2021 |date=September 15, 2006}}</ref> Automotive journalist Leo Parente said, "the most accurate racing film ever, trust me," while emphasizing that he was not being sarcastic.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjPUWcAd2Ko Jackie Stewart / 'Weekend Of A Champion' Film] - Shakedown Trackdown (Region Blocked by NBC)</ref>
Filmmaker [[Christopher Nolan]] cited the film as a personal favorite of his, calling it "great".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAUZKe4Sq2c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/aAUZKe4Sq2c |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Christopher Nolan on his favourite Comedy Movie|via=Youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
===Promotional===
[[V8 Supercars]] team [[Britek Motorsport]] incorporated the ''Talladega Nights'' logo into the paint scheme of their [[Ford Falcon BA]]s for the [[2006 Sandown 500]] and the [[2006 Bathurst 1000]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/championship/five-of-the-best-movie-themed-supercars/|title=Five of the best movie themed Supercars|publisher=[[V8 Supercars]]|date=August 15, 2017}}</ref>
===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Date of Ceremony
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" | Recipients
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" | {{Abbreviation|Ref.|References}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| [[2006 Teen Choice Awards|August 20, 2006]]
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor - Comedy|Choice Summer Movie]]
| rowspan="2" | ''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby''
| {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teen Choice Awards (2006) |url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000644/2006/1/ |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=IMDb}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="6" | [[Stinkers Bad Movie Awards]]
| rowspan="6" | [[2006 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards|2007]]
| Worst Movie Title
| {{won}}
| rowspan="6" | <ref name="stinkers-ballot">{{cite web|title=Stinkers Bad Movie Awards - 2006 Ballot|url-status=dead|url=http://www.thestinkers.com/2006ballot.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504100403/http://www.thestinkers.com/2006ballot.html|archive-date=May 4, 2007|website=The Stinkers|access-date=February 2, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | The Spencer Breslin Award (for Worst Performance by a Child in a Feature Role)
| [[Grayson Russell]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Houston Tumlin
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | Most Annoying Fake Accent (Male)
| [[Sacha Baron Cohen]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Will Ferrell]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[John C. Reilly]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[MTV Movie Awards]]
| [[2007 MTV Movie Awards|June 3, 2007]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss|Best Kiss]]
| Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen
| {{won}}
|<ref>{{Citation |title=Will Ferrell & Sacha Baron Cohen Win The 2007 Best Kiss Award - {{!}} MTV |date=June 3, 2007 |url=https://www.mtv.com/video-clips/dq4gc5/will-ferrell-sacha-baron-cohen-win-the-2007-best-kiss-award |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429000819/https://www.mtv.com/video-clips/dq4gc5/will-ferrell-sacha-baron-cohen-win-the-2007-best-kiss-award |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |language=en |access-date=April 29, 2022}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| [[2007 Teen Choice Awards|August 26, 2007]]
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor - Comedy|Choice Comedy Movie Actor]]
| Will Ferrell
| {{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teen Choice Awards (2007) |url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000644/2007/1/ |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=IMDb}}</ref>
|-
|}
===Home media===
{{anchor|DVD|Video}}
The first one million 60GB and 20GB [[PlayStation 3]] units included a free theatrical promotional Blu-ray copy of the film.
The [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]], Standard [[DVD]] and [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] [[Universal Media Disc|UMD]] versions were released on December 12, 2006. When viewing, the opening menu gives viewers choices for Super Speedway (with footage of the film used as introductions for special features, scene selection, etc.) or Short Track (without video introductions). The film is presented on standard DVD in four different configurations, giving consumers the choice between either theatrical or unrated versions in either its theatrical 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio or in 1.33:1 pan and scan fullscreen. As for the audio, each standard DVD carries [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 tracks in English and French with optional English and French subtitles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Talladega-Nights-The-Ballad-of-Ricky-Bobby-Blu-ray/215/|title=Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Blu-ray|access-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref>
Extras for the standard DVD editions include a retrospective "25 Years Later" commentary track featuring most of the main cast, [[Deleted scene|deleted and extended scene]]s along with bonus race footage, features, interviews with Bobby, Naughton, and Carley, a gag reel, a 'line-o-rama' feature with alternate dialogue from the film, and DVD-ROM content. The unrated disc contains additional deleted scenes ("Cal Calls Ricky" and "What'd You Do Today?"), an interview with Girard and Gregory, and commercials and public service announcements by Bobby and Naughton. The "Unrated & Uncut" DVD omits two scenes that were in theaters: Bobby, as a child, steals his mother's station wagon and the happenings of Bobby's pit crew. The scenes are not present in the deleted scenes either.
The Blu-ray release is available on a dual-layer disc with the majority of features presented in high definition. These include: nine deleted/extended scenes, three interviews, gag reel, line-o-rama, bonus race footage, Bobby & Naughton's Commercials, Bobby & Naughton's public service announcements, Walker & Texas Ranger, Will Ferrell Returns to Talladega and a theatrical trailer. Three non-high definition extras include: [[Daytona 500]] Spot, NASCAR [[Chase for the Nextel Cup]] Spot, and Sirius and NASCAR Spot. In terms of technical aspects, this edition carries the unrated cut and presents the film with a widescreen transfer at its 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio and includes Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in English and French and an uncompressed [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]] 5.1 audio track in English, along with English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean and Thai subtitles.
In October 2016, the film was re-released on Blu-Ray to coincide with its 10th anniversary. The 2-disc set includes all new bonus features, as well as both versions of the film and the features found on the original releases of the film.
==Real-world homage==
On the final lap of the [[2009 Aaron's 499]] (one of two [[NASCAR Cup Series|Sprint Cup Series]] races at [[Talladega Superspeedway]]), [[Carl Edwards]] crashed after [[Brad Keselowski]] made contact with his car on the final lap. His car turned backwards, went airborne, bounced off and crushed [[Ryan Newman (racing driver)|Ryan Newman]]'s hood, flew into the catch fence, and came to a stop on the track apron. At this point, his car was just beyond the pit-road exit, as Keselowski and [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]] crossed the finish line. Edwards climbed out of his car and jogged to the finish line. He received a standing ovation from the crowd. Fox play-by-play commentator [[Mike Joy]] commented on how it was "shades of Ricky Bobby".<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7lfK7IOmk4 |title=Carl Edwards goes airborne into fence as Brad Keselowski scores first Cup Series win |author=[[NASCAR]] |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=February 1, 2012 |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref> Although Edwards did cross the finish line but on his feet, he was still handed a DNF since his car did not cross the line and Edwards finished in 24th. Edwards was later asked about this on ''[[Larry King Live]]''; he responded, "I'm kind of a Will Ferrell fan. He did that at the end of ''Talladega Nights.''"<ref>{{cite news| url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0904/28/lkl.01.html | work=[[CNN]] | title= CNN LARRY KING LIVE - Aired April 28, 2009 -Joseph Ellis loved it, he giggled and wet his pants! 21:00 ET, CNN Transcripts}}</ref>
At the [[2012 Aaron's 499]] at Talladega, [[Kurt Busch]]'s unsponsored No. 51 [[Phoenix Racing (NASCAR team)|Phoenix Racing]] [[Chevrolet Impala]] used Ricky Bobby's "ME" paint scheme. Busch and his team were heard reciting movie lines over the team radio.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81oj_IQSvIk |title=Ricky Bobby aka Kurt Busch takes the lead at Talladega |author=[[NASCAR]] |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=May 7, 2012 |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref> He was running up front when contact from behind sent him spinning, he went on to finish 20th. In October 2013, Busch's No. 78 [[Furniture Row Racing]] Chevrolet was sponsored by [[Wonder Bread]] for the [[2013 Camping World RV Sales 500]] at Talladega. Its paint scheme was based on Ricky's original No. 26.<ref>{{cite magazine|author-link=Bob Pockrass|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-10-18/kurt-busch-wonder-bread-car-talladega-nights-ricky-bobby-furniture-row-sponsor|title=Kurt Busch part pitchman, part showman with Wonder bread car|magazine=[[Sporting News]]|date=October 18, 2013|access-date=October 28, 2013|archive-date=October 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026173201/http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-10-18/kurt-busch-wonder-bread-car-talladega-nights-ricky-bobby-furniture-row-sponsor|url-status=dead}}</ref> He finished 18th in the race.
During qualifying at the [[2013 United States Grand Prix]], [[Sebastian Vettel]] and his race engineer Guillaume "Rocky" Rocquelin made reference to the movie over team radio when Vettel posted the fastest lap and gained pole position. The pair referenced the movie in saying "shake and bake" over the team radio, the same phrase used by Bobby and Naughton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/sebastian-vettel-shouts-shake-and-bake-after-winning-the-pole-at-the-us-grand-prix-2013-11|title=VIDEO: Sebastian Vettel Says 'Shake And Bake!' After Winning The Pole At the US Grand Prix - Business Insider|author=Cork Gaines|date=November 16, 2013|work=Business Insider}}</ref>
During his victory lap and postrace interview following the [[2021 Quaker State 400]], driver [[Kurt Busch]] exclaimed "Shake and Bake!" in reference to his teammate [[Ross Chastain]], who assisted Busch in holding off his brother [[Kyle Busch]] for the victory.<ref>{{cite web|last=Albert|first=Zach|date=July 11, 2021|title='Shake and bake!' Ganassi teamwork, Chastain assist foil Kyle Busch's Atlanta bid|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/07/11/atlanta-2021-cup-series-kyle-busch-ross-chastain-ganassi/|website=[[NASCAR]]|accessdate=July 13, 2021}}</ref>
For the [[2023 YellaWood 500]] at Talladega, the [[Stewart-Haas Racing]] No. 14 [[Ford Mustang (sixth generation)|Ford Mustang GT]] of [[Chase Briscoe]] sported Cal Naughton Jr.'s [[Old Spice]] paint scheme while the No. 41 Mustang of [[Ryan Preece]] used Ricky Bobby's Wonder Bread paint scheme.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2023/09/25/shake-and-bake-for-chase-briscoe-and-ryan-preece-at-talladega/ |title="Shake and Bake" for Chase Briscoe and Ryan Preece at Talladega |website=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]] |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=September 25, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0415306|Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby}}
* {{mojo title|talladeganights|Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090918162748/http://www.countingdown.com/movies/3825672/news?item_id=3897591 Counting Down: Talladega Nights Car Auction! (Featuring the makes and models of the cars)]
* ''[https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/talladeganightstheballadofrickybobby Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby]'' at [[Sony Pictures]]
* [https://www.movieinsider.com/m976/talladega-nights-the-ballad-of-ricky-bobby Everything You Need to Know About Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Movie (2006)] at [[Movie Insider]]
* [https://screenrant.com/talladega-nights-ballad-ricky-bobby-behind-scenes-facts-adam-mckay-will-ferrell-nascar-comedy/ If You Ain't First, You're Last!: 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About Talladega Nights] at [[Screen Rant|Screenrant]]
{{Adam McKay}}
{{Judd Apatow}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby}}
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