More Atlanta Motor Speedway News

NASCAR Insider Reveals How Denny Hamlin’s Wild Idea Sparked a Million-Dollar Showdown

A NASCAR insider reveals how Denny Hamlin’s offhand podcast idea turned into the sport’s newest million-dollar mid-season tournament.
Screenshot 2025-06-27 111914

Roger Penske’s Star Issues Blunt 8-Word Message on Cup Package, Wants Xfinity-Style Racing

Team Penske’s star driver critiques the Cup rules package as he heads into Atlanta as the betting favorite for the Quaker State 400.
May,18,,2019,-,Indianapolis,,Indiana,,Usa:,Indycar,Team,Owner,

NASCAR Atlanta Weather Update: Superspeedway Weekend Under Threat From Mother Nature’s Wrath

Storms threaten NASCAR’s Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway, where Blaney leads as underdogs look to the In-Season Challenge.
EchoPark-Speedway

Daniel Suarez Sends Bubba Wallace a 7-Word Wake-Up Call Before Million-Dollar Challenge

Amidst rising anticipation for NASCAR's in-season tournament, Daniel Suarez rolls up his sleeves against his rival.
Bubba Wallace Daniel Suarez NASCAR

“It’s… Not Me Losing My Mind” – Ryan Blaney Shuts Down Racing Community’s Radio Speculation With Bold Message

Ryan Blaney’s fiery radio moments fuel his focus, exploring his Atlanta dominance and why passion drives his NASCAR success.
TALLADEGA, AL – APRIL 23: Ryan Blaney ( 12 Team Penske Wurth Ford) looks on before the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport

NASCAR Atlanta Fan Guide: Tailgating, Camping, Cooler Policy, Parking & Prohibited Items for the Quaker State 400

Get ready for the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway with this fan guide to tailgating, camping, coolers, parking, and prohibited items.
Atlanta Motor Speedway

NASCAR Atlanta Schedule: Lineup, Practice, Qualifying, Tickets, Where & How to Watch

Get all the NASCAR Atlanta weekend details: schedule, lineup, where to watch, weather, and what fans can expect trackside.
NASCAR: Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500

Shane Van Gisbergen Crewman Makes Shocking Pit Stop With Broken Ribs in Pocono

SVG’s rear tire changer pushed through a brutal Pocono hit as the driver’s Mexico win kept stirring debate in the NASCAR world.
NASCAR: Daytona 500 – Media Day

Chaos at Atlanta: Spine-Chilling NASCAR Crashes That Shaped Echo Park’s Storied History

From wild flips to massive pileups, EchoPark Speedway has seen it all. Relive the most unforgettable NASCAR crashes at Atlanta.
Atlanta Motor Speedway

Joey Logano Sends Blunt Message to Entire Cup Garage Ahead of $1M Showdown

Joey Logano is looking ahead to the $1M inaugural tournament at the end of the month, and he has a message for everyone.
NASCAR: Cup Practice and Qualifying

Denny Hamlin’s $250M Partner Helps Superman Join NASCAR Ahead of Blockbuster Release

Denny Hamlin’s passion for collectibles and racing merges with superhero flair as 23XI’s #45 becomes a pop-culture powerhouse.
Denny Hamlin

How Is the “Seeding” Done for NASCAR’s In-Season Tournament? Here Is Everything to Know

How does NASCAR seed its new In-Season Tournament? Discover the format, matchups, and what’s at stake for 32 drivers!
HAMPTON, GA – MARCH 19: Aric Almirola of the Smithfield Ford leads a pack of cars into turn three during the Ambetter He

About Atlanta Motor Speedway

article-image

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)