Rupak Kumar Jha is an All-Hands Editor at Essentially Sports. He has completed his degree in journalism and mass communication and has spent more than three years of his life working in the field. In his professional capacity, Rupak Kumar Jha has worked on more than 10,000 articles across various content verticals. As a sports editor, he is committed to bringing forward unbiased and truthful details about entities and events alike, while aiming to educate, engage, and capture the hearts of millions of sports lovers.

Rupak Kumar Jha follows MLB religiously and also loves to play cricket. When not busy, he loves to play guitar and sing. Rupak’s favorite genre is sci-fi and his favorite movie is Interstellar. With his PlayStation controller in his hand, he becomes a formidable soldier running through storms of zombies and insurgents.

 It’s not only the Cup Series where controversies are formed. The Xfinity Series [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/nascar-xfinity-series/] gets its fair share of drama and in a true NASCAR sense, situations get heated. Many fans were unhappy with Corey Heim’s decision to push Austin Hill, as the Richard Childress Racing driver used that to bag the win at Atlanta. Critics and fans were unhappy that Corey Heim decided to help a Chevrolet driver instead of Chandler Smith, who drives for his mentor’s team. Denny Hamlin has helped Heim reach the position he is in NASCAR today, so it’s only obvious that fans expected him to play to the advantage of Joe Gibbs Racing [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/joe-gibbs-racing/] to help Chandler Smith win. But when that did not happen, there was a barrage of unhappy fans who voiced their minds. Amidst all of this, veteran Denny Hamlin came in to defend Corey Heim. DENNY HAMLIN STEPS UP FOR COREY HEIM AT ATLANTA Denny Hamlin [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/denny-hamlin/] heard all the talk about Corey Heim betraying his team and helping the RCR driver win the race. When he got behind the mic for his podcast, Actions Detrimental with Denny Hamlin, he took time to discuss not only the Cup Series race where he had a P24 finish in the first round of the playoffs, but also the controversy from the Xfinity Series. Speaking about his prodigy, Hamlin explained, “I mean, it looked like Corey Heim had a chance to get to the front. Yeah. I think, if I had to sum it up, he was making the best move he could for himself. If you say you’re going to go down there and push Chandler off of turn four and go to the bottom, the top is obviously the preferred groove, right?” Hamlin explained that Chandler got himself into a strange situation where he did not have enough momentum to pass the race leader. The situation got interesting when the drivers went 4 wide, and Hamlin explained, “I think, very rarely, if not never, would the third-place guy, with no affiliation, choose the bottom line unless it was a direct teammate.” Explaining the logical choice that Heim had, Hamlin continued, “Corey then went to the high side, pushed Austin past Chandler, and got, you know, right on the edge of getting beside the 40 or Austin Hill. And then, you know, he got into the wall and finished fifth.” This sparked many questions about his loyalty to his manufacturer, and considering that Hamlin has been a huge influence on Heim’s racing career, fans wanted to know why he did not help Chandler Smith instead. HAMLIN EXPLAINS THAT HEIM HAS NO CONNECTION WITH JOE GIBBS RACING Denny Hamlin pondered what Toyota’s stance on the race would be, and after dismissing it as a tough situation, he spoke about Heim again. Defending the driver, Hamlin said, “Corey doesn’t have any alliance or allegiance to JGR, and JGR doesn’t have any allegiance to Corey.” Considering there are no loyalties in place, the No. 11 JGR driver explained that Heim did what he thought was best at the moment. Summing it up, Hamlin explained that Heim did what he had to try to finish second, and pushing Austin Hill happened to be his best bet. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Corey_heim_52866847928.jpg] Ultimately, Heim had a P5 finish, which was better than what he could have gotten by assisting Smith and Hamlin takes that as a win for his prodigy. The podcast wrapped up with Hamlin saying, “I kind of see both sides of it; I really do. That pays your manufacturer, but I just don’t know if one has a connection with the other that would make me believe he should show allegiance to that team.” Considering the situation that Corey Heim was in, what do you think the best move for him would be? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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

Viren Mirpuri is an F1 & NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. With a passion for
motorsports and a background in journalism, he provides authentic and
informative coverage of the racing world. Till now, he has covered multiple
stories on top drivers like Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott. Starting with
simulation racing, Viren developed a love for the sport and now focuses on
sharing well-researched news pieces. While he enjoys writing about Formula 1
too, his true passion lies with Stock Car Racing. In his free time, Viren likes
to play iRacing and other AAA video game titles.

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Driving NASCAR Insights

Viren Mirpuri

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[caption id="attachment_589568" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-589568" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210322171739/2021-03-21T233527Z_323183572_MT1USATODAY15771333_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-FOLDS-OF-HONOR-QUIKTRIP-500.jpg" alt="Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson" width="1920" height="1280" /> Mar 21, 2021; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) passes NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) late in the race to take the lead for the final time at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2>Atlanta Motor Speedway- 2021 Latest News, Winners, Qualifying, Track</h2>
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.
<h2>History</h2>
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.
<h2>2021 Race</h2>
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.
<h2>Quick Facts</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="301">Location</td>
<td width="301">Henry County, Georgia, at 1500 Tara Place Hampton, GA, 30228</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="301">Operator</td>
<td width="301">Speedway Motorsports, Inc.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="301">Major Events</td>
<td width="301"><strong>NASCAR Cup Series</strong>

Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500

Quaker State 400

<strong>NASCAR Xfinity Series</strong>

EchoPark 250

TBA

<strong>NASCAR Camping World Truck</strong>

Series Fr8Auctions 200

<strong>Atlanta Track Club</strong>

Atlanta Marathon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="301">Length</td>
<td width="301">1.54 mi (2.48 km)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="301">Most Wins</td>
<td width="301">Dale Earnhardt (9)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="301">Most Starts</td>
<td width="301">Richard Petty (65)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="301">Poles</td>
<td width="301">Buddy Baker, Ryan Newman (7)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Mar 21, 2021; Hampton, Georgia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) passes NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) late in the race to take the lead for the final time at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports 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&#8217;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&#8217; 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 &#8211; 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&#8217; 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&#8217;s tires were wearing out. With Blaney?s win, NASCAR had its sixth different champion in its first six races of 2021. Quick Facts  Location Henry County, Georgia, at 1500 Tara Place Hampton, GA, 30228  Operator Speedway Motorsports, Inc.  Major Events NASCAR 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  Length 1.54 mi (2.48 km)  Most Wins Dale Earnhardt (9)  Most Starts Richard Petty (65)  Poles Buddy Baker, Ryan Newman (7)

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

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Denny Hamlin

Here is everything you need to know about Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin, his Family, Controversies, Net worth and Team in 2024.

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