More Atlanta Motor Speedway News

Denny Hamlin’s Years of ‘Deposit’ in BJ McLeod’s Good Books Paid Off in Atlanta

Denny Hamlin’s Atlanta woes turned around thanks to part-timer BJ McLeod. What’s next for the #11 team as the playoffs loom at Watkins Glen?
Untitled design (12)

Denny Hamlin Firmly Defends His NASCAR Prodigy Against Accusations of Betraying Joe Gibbs & Toyota

After a divided Toyota stance at the Atlanta Xfinity race, Denny Hamlin comes out in support of the passionate racer behind it.
AUTO: MAY 28 NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600

Denny Hamlin Pins Blame on Tony Stewart’s Employee for Chase Briscoe’s Crushed Playoff Hopes

Denny Hamlin critiques Chase Briscoe's wreck with Kyle Larson, blaming his spotter for failing to avoid the crash at Atlanta.
Chase Briscoe, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin

Jeff Gordon Warns HMS Drivers of Roadblocks To Fulfilling Linda Hendrick’s ’40th Anniversary’ Demands

Jeff Gordon discusses Hendrick Motorsports' playoff challenges and hopes to meet Linda Hendrick’s rare top-4 request despite a tough start.
Jeff Gordon and Linda Hendrick

NASCAR Fans Expose Kyle Larson’s NASCAR Curse After Failure to Back ‘World’s Best Driver’ Claims

Kyle Larson’s mistakes add up as fans question his claim as the "best driver," after scary wreck. Is Talladega another one waiting to happen?
AUTO: JUL 15 NASCAR Cup Series Crayon 301

Denny Hamlin Firmly Defends His NASCAR Prodigy Against Accusations of Betraying Joe Gibbs & Toyota

Denny Hamlin defends Corey Heim’s strategic choice at Atlanta amid fan backlash over his decision to aid Austin Hill over Chandler Smith.
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs

Daniel Suarez Pained by Losing His ‘Dancing Partner’ In Inevitable Atlanta Defeat

Daniel Suarez reflects on a heartbreaking second-place finish at the Atlanta playoff race after losing his 'dancing partner' in overtime.
NASCAR: Daytona 500 Media Day

Corey Heim Remains Proud of Aggression Despite It Failing at Atlanta

Corey Heim makes surprise response as Austin Hill's tactics at Atlanta Motor Speedway leave Tricon Garage driver out of a win.
Corey Heim

Ryan Blaney Drops Shocking 4-Word Relief Behind Near-Impossible Atlanta Comeback

The race craft displayed by Ryan Blaney at Atlanta is deserving of the title on all counts, revealing the driver's willingness to prevail.
NASCAR Cup Series The Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.com

Ross Chastain Ruins Underdog Teammate Daniel Suarez’s Best Chance to Progress With Ryan Blaney Outclassing the Duo

The playoffs kicked off at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. And what a start it was. A battle between Team Penske and Trackhouse to the finish!
AUTO: OCT 29 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff – Xfinity 500

NASCAR Insider Breaks Down Martin Truex Jr’s Potential Plan of Action as He Stands on the Brim of a Tainted Legacy

According to a NASCAR expert and also Martin Truex Jr's Atlanta mishap, the JGR driver may not be ending his career on a high note.
NASCAR: Cup Practice & Qualifying

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Staggering Downfall at Atlanta Raises Alarms With Horrendous Finishes by All but One

The playoffs kicked off at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was not a good day for Joe Gibbs Racing as all drivers suffered problems.
Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, Ty Gibbs

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)