The sight of Exit 173 on I-20, between Anniston and Birmingham, always brings a smile to my face – the kind of smile that is irrepressible and makes me feel good all over.It is the exit that leads to Talladega Superspeedway, a place that is filled with memories for me as a sports writer and later as a sponsor’s publicist on the NASCAR circuit. I could write a book of the days, overwhelmingly happy, that I spent in the midst of Alabama’s stifling heat, revved up rednecks, and some of the dearest people I ever loved. I’d call it “Talledega Days.”It was Sunday afternoon – I spent dozens of Sunday afternoons there – so since I was driving home from Birmingham, I took the exit and headed back in time.