More Atlanta Motor Speedway News

“It’s A Shame”: Kyle Larson Accused by Roger Penske’s Star After Reckless Aggression in Atlanta

A Team Penske driver narrowly missed out on victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway after being wrecked by Kyle Larson with just two laps to go.
Kyle Larson, Roger Penske

Carson Hocevar’s Terrorizing Antics Despised by Drivers Had a Surprising Reward

Carson Hocevar pierced his way across the finish line at the Atlanta Motor Speedway with a career-best finish but made some rivals in the process.
Carson Hocevar

Corey LaJoie Pushes Blame on Ryan Blaney to Defend Usual Suspect Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

After a massive multi-car wreck in Atlanta, people pointed fingers at Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - but Corey LaJoie blames Ryan Blaney.
Ryan Blaney and Corey LaJoie

Christopher Bell Indebted to Broken Chevy Alliance in Atlanta as Kyle Larson Suffers Betrayal

Christopher Bell speaks out about Carson Hocevar's actions in Atlanta after breaking his 19-race winless streak in the Cup Series.
Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell

Joe Gibbs Flips the Script From 2024 as Christopher Bell Sneaks Through at Atlanta

After clinching the victory at Atlanta, Christopher Bell left Joe Gibbs gleeful as the team owner reflected on off-season hard work.
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs

Kyle Busch Sheds Light on His Car’s Performance at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Despite winning the Truck Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch had to settle for a seventh place finish in the Cup Series.
NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 29: Kyle Busch ( 8 Richard Childress Racing zone/Thorntons Chevrolet) talks with members of his cre

“Not Be in a Boy Band” – Carson Hocevar Makes New Enemies on Track, Jeopardizing His Future

Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar isn't making any friends on the NASCAR grid despite finishing runner-up at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Ryan Blaney, Kyl Busch, Carson Hocevar

Desperate Corey Lajoie Fails to Prove His Worth With Another Disappointing Finish

Corey LaJoie reflects on his race-ending crash at the Ambetter Health 400, expressing frustration over loss after a strong mid-pack battle.
NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 – Qualifying

Ryan Blaney Issues Gruelling Warning to Carson Hocevar Over “Sketchy” Moves

Ryan Blaney criticizes Carson Hocevar’s aggressive driving after the Ambetter Health 400, highlighting growing frustration among NASCAR drivers and fans.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice Nov 8, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) duri

Kyle Larson Backs NASCAR’s Controversial Call as He Puts Jeff Gordon’s Worry to Rest

After notching a top-five result at a drafting track, Kyle Larson is content with NASCAR's last-lap call which may have robbed his run.
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Championship, Nov 7, 2021; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Lars

Rick Hendrick Issued Immediate Apology After Carson Hocevar Terrorizes His Golden Goose

After Carson Hocevar set off flaring tempers at Atlanta, the Spire driver bowed his head in guilt only at Rick Hendrick.
Rick Hendrick, Carson Hocevar

Christopher Bell Takes a Sly Dig at Kyle Larson’s NASCAR Misery Moments After Atlanta Sweep

JGR star driver Christopher Bell aimed a dig at his rival Kyle Larson after snagging first race win of 2025 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell

About Atlanta Motor Speedway

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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)