More Atlanta Motor Speedway News

15 Years Ago, the Enigmatic Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon Wrecked Hard in a Nail-Biting Finish at Las Vegas

Let's revisit the horrifying crash between Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth in 2008 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that altered Gordon's career.
Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth

After Exposing “Corporate“ NASCAR’s Obsession, Kenny Wallace Applauds Dale Jr for Hiring Denny Hamlin

Bob Pockrass reveals NASCAR's money and sponsorship obsession, "dumbing down drivers," lamented by veteran Kenny Wallace.
Kenny Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr

Corey LaJoie Set To Join Dale Earnhardt & Cale Yarborough’s Elite List Amidst Spire Motorsports’ Unprecedented Surge

Corey LaJoie is poised to join the likes of Dale Earnhardt and Cale Yarborough, while Spire Motorsports experiences an extraordinary upswing.
Corey LaJoie, Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough

As New Schedule Raises Eyebrows, Bob Pockrass Avoids NASCAR Insider’s “Championship-Worthy” Question

Bob Pockrass avoids NASCAR insider's question and decides to answer another pertinent question instead as changes invade the 2024 schedule.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 Sep 2, 2023; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Xfinity

“That Is Such Baloney’ – Denny Hamlin Debunks NASCAR Senior VPs False Assurances About Unsettling Playoff Format

Denny Hamlin criticizes NASCAR for the 2024 schedule, highlighting the wildcard races, and raising concerns about the sport's direction.
NASCAR: Practice and Qualifying

As NASCAR Bids Farewell to Daytona, Kyle Busch Reveals True Feelings on Iowa’s Grand Entry: “I Don’t Know … “

Kyle Busch's comments might add some fuel to the fire which is the debate around the Cup Series schedule but the veteran made good points.
NASCAR: Daytona 500

“Set and Stone With Who’s Fast” – Hendrick Motorsports’ Star Snubs Joey Logano’s Talent

William Byron opens up about his road to Phonix as he reveals his competitors and a "well-qualified to win" category of drivers.
DARLINGTON, SC – SEPTEMBER 05: Alex Bowman, 48 Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Ally,William Byron, 24 Hendrick Mo

“Outside of Your Control” – Amid Daytona’s Unfortunate Departure, Joe Gibbs’ Superstar Delivers Big Blow to Superspeedway Racing

Joe Gibbs driver revealed major concern with superspeedway shake-up
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Daytona 500-Practice, Feb 19, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner

From Rivals to Comrades: Chase Elliott Joins Denny Hamlin in Brutal Tirade Against NASCAR: “They Don’t Ask My Opinion”

After the release of 2024 Cup Series schedule, Chase Elliott openly backed Denny Hamlin on his candid assessment of NASCAR's playoff changes.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Qualifying Nov 5, 2022; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9)

Sarcastic Denny Hamlin Mocks “Silly” Leadership for Turning NASCAR into “Game of Chance” Amid Massive Schedule Overhaul

Denny Hamlin delivers a witty quip at NASCAR over 2024 calendar woes at the expense of Joe Gibbs teammate Martin Truex Jr.
NASCAR: Cup Series Playoff Media Day

“It Was a Natural Fit” – NASCAR’s Baseless Daytona Excuse Receives Hostility as Fans Quick To Point Out the Ideocracy

The Daytona excuse put forth by NASCAR is being met with anger, as fans are quick to highlight the lack of foundation and logical reasoning behind it.
NASCAR: Coke Zero Sugar 400

Tony Stewart’s Mentee Becomes the Mentor as He Prepares to Take Kevin Harvick’s Mantle

Tony Stewart's driver to take over from Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart

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)