More Atlanta Motor Speedway News

“Stop Watching NASCAR “ ”“ Fans Brutally Bash Atlanta Haters Denouncing the 3-Wide Photo Finish

The photo-finish at Atlanta has sparked a debate on social media, with a section of fans blasting those who weren't happy about it.
HAMPTON, GA – MARCH 19: Fans watch a pack of cars enter turn four during the Ambetter Health 400 in the NASCAR, Motorspo

Revived Atlanta Motor Speedway Refuted Cup Drivers’ Protest With One of the Closest Finishes in NASCAR History

The 2024 Ambetter Health 400 not only surpassed all fan expectations but also outshined the negativity showcased by drivers prior to the race.
Atlanta Photo Finish

Kevin Harvick’s Wholesome Surprise Redeems Fox’s Reputation After Daytona Broadcast Blunder

Kevin Harvick played the trump card in boosting Fox's reputation after turning out a video which remembers his emotional 2001 win at Atlanta.
AUTO: FEB 16 NASCAR 2022 Daytona 500 Media Day

Wreck Trifecta Victim Denny Hamlin Holds Joey Logano Responsible for a Trail of Destruction At Atlanta

After a tumultuous race in Atlanta, JGR veteran, Denny Hamlin reflects on his 3-time disaster at the venue that took away his momentum.
Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano

Ryan Blaney Relishes Theatrical Three-Wide Battle at Atlanta Despite Narrow Loss in a Photo Finish

Ryan Blaney missed out on a brilliant victory at Atlanta by an extremely narrow margin, but he has no regrets.
NASCAR XFINITY Series Hisense 4K TV 300 – Practice

Daniel Suarez’s Atlanta Win Doesn’t Secure His Cup Future at Trackhouse Racing

Daniel Suarez became the hero of the day when he just about managed to edge past Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch, but will it save his career?
NASCAR: Ambetter Health 400

“It Was a Bad Day” – Failing to Reach Their Potential, RFK Racing Driver Ready to Leave Drafting Behind

RFK Racing driver Chris Buescher opens up on events that led to the Atlanta race not being a memorable one for them.
July 15, 2023, Loudon, NH, United States of America: NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Drivers, Brad Keselowski (6) and Chris

“All My Friends…Went Away” – Kyle Busch Indebted To Bubba Wallace For Saving His Race And Pushing Ahead

Kyle Busch might not have won the race at Atlanta but he was quite happy that he did not allow a Ford to snatch the victory from the Chevys.
Kyle Busch and Bubba Wallace

Despite the Wreck Fest, Atlanta Breaks Records and Driver Approval Goes Through the Roof

Drama unfolds at the AMS, creating numerous record-breaking numbers, along with wrecks. What did the NASCAR drivers say about it?
Blank 6 Panel Grid Comic Strip

Bubba Wallace Can’t Stand His Spotter Anymore After A Grueling And Mentally Draining Atlanta Race

After an not so easy race, Bubba Wallace still managed his second top 5 finish in as many races this year but he was not fond of his spotter.
Bubba Wallace

“Not an Audition” ”“ Trackhouse Team Owner Jumps to the Defense of Daniel Suarez Amid Speculations About His Future

Daniel Suarez's position in the team has been cleared by the Trackhouse Racing's boss Justin Marks after the photo-finish win at Atlanta.
NASCAR: Ambetter Health 400

“I Hate It” – Kyle Busch Disappointed With the Photo Finish After an Exhilarating Finale at Atlanta

While the NASCAR community can't stop talking about the iconic photo-finish at Atlanta, Kyle Busch doesn't share the same enthusiasm.
NASCAR: Cup Series Playoff Media Day

About Atlanta Motor Speedway

USA Today via Reuters

Atlanta Motor Speedway- 2021 Latest News, Winners, Qualifying, Track

Atlanta Motor Speedway (in the past Atlanta International Raceway) is a 1.5-mile race track in Hampton, Georgia, United States, 20 miles (32 km) south of Atlanta. It has hosted NASCAR Cup Series stock vehicle races since its initiation in 1960.

The initial scenes of the 1980 film Smokey and the Bandit II were shot at the track, as were scenes of the 1983 film Stroker Ace; a 40th commemoration stunt show to recognize the 1977 shooting of the first Smokey and the Bandit in close by Jonesboro, Georgia, was held at AMS in 2017 and went to by Burt Reynolds.

The track was highlighted in the 1982 Kenny Rogers film Six Pack. Previous U.S. President Jimmy Carter once filled in as a ticket taker at the track and went to a few races there as Georgia's lead representative and as U.S. president.

History

The setting was purchased by Speedway Motorsports in 1990. In 1994, 46 townhouses were worked over the northeastern side of the track. In 1997, to normalize the track with Speedway Motorsports' other two middle ovals, the whole track was totally remade.

The frontstretch and backstretch were traded, and the design of the track was changed from oval to quad-oval, with another authority length of 1.54-mile (2.48 km) where before it was 1.522-mile (2.449 km). The project made the track one of the quickest on the NASCAR circuit. It has a seating limit of 71,000 - 125.000 relying upon design.

The track facilitated a NASCAR Cup Series race end of the week yearly on Labor Day weekend from 2009 to 2014. The 2009 move from an October race date to Labor Day weekend was likewise joined by an adjustment in start time, denoting the main NASCAR Cup Series under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the arrival of Labor Day weekend NASCAR dashing toward the Southern United States.

Different features of the facility are a quarter-mile track between the pit street and the fundamental track for Legends racing and a 2.5-mile (4.0 km) FIA-endorsed street course. In 1996, the speedway facilitated the Countryfest show, pulling in more than 200,000 fans.

For the vast majority of the 1990s and 2000s, the track flaunted the most elevated velocities on the NASCAR circuit, with a common passing lap speed of around 193 mph (311 km/h), first posted by driver Breton Roussel on June 22, 1990, and a record lap speed of more than 197 mph (317 km/h).

In 2004 and 2005, the likewise planned Texas Motor Speedway saw marginally quicker qualifying times, and as the tracks' individual racing surfaces have worn, qualifying speeds at Texas have gotten reliably quicker than at Atlanta.

2021 Race

Ryan Blaney won the race, driving a Ford. Kyle Larson led for 269 laps, but Blaney overtook him eight laps from the end because Larson's tires were wearing out.

With Blaney’s win, NASCAR had its sixth different champion in its first six races of 2021.

Quick Facts

LocationHenry County, Georgia, at 1500 Tara Place Hampton, GA, 30228
OperatorSpeedway Motorsports, Inc.
Major EventsNASCAR Cup Series

Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500

Quaker State 400

NASCAR Xfinity Series

EchoPark 250

TBA

NASCAR Camping World Truck

Series Fr8Auctions 200

Atlanta Track Club

Atlanta Marathon

Length1.54 mi (2.48 km)
Most WinsDale Earnhardt (9)
Most StartsRichard Petty (65)
PolesBuddy Baker, Ryan Newman (7)