More Atlanta Motor Speedway News

“I’m Gonna Let Him Suffer” – Carl Edwards Shocking Revelation Leaves Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Disbelief About His Eluded Championship Quest

Carl Edwards' wild personality was a thing of lore in NASCAR - and the veteran recalled one incident where Dale Jr outsmarted him.
Dale Earnhardt Jr, Carl Edwards

Ross Chastain Bends the Knee to Chase Elliott With Bold Admission After COTA Humbling

Ross Chastain, known for his aggressive style, stuns NASCAR with a rare admission of error after a chaotic COTA incident with Chase Elliott.
Chase Elliott happy and Ross Chastain upset

Veteran Insider Predicts the End to Kyle Busch’s 20-Year-Long NASCAR Legacy With a 4-Worded Jab

Despite a promising start to the 2025 season, NASCAR insiders still lack faith in Kyle Busch's fight to get back to Victory Lane.
NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 29: Kyle Busch ( 8 Richard Childress Racing zone/Thorntons Chevrolet) talks with members of his cre

Years After Retirement, Dale Jr. Loses NASCAR’s “Pied Piper” Tag to Richard Childress’ Star, Claims Veteran

Dale Earnhardt Jr. comfortably sat on the Superspeedway throne for all these years. But now it's the #21 driver's time!
Dale Earnhardt Jr and Richard Childress

Victim Denny Hamlin Plays Devils Advocate for Ross Chastain After COTA Carnage

NASCAR’s self-policing system looms over Ross Chastain as Denny Hamlin stays silent, setting up inevitable payback.
Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin

Kevin Harvick Hands Veiled 6-Word Warning to Bubba Wallace Amid Cup Series Misery

Is Bubba Wallace's racing future in danger? Kevin Harvick sounds the alarm as new generation of racing talent emerges.
Bubba Wallace and Kevin Harvick

Shane Van Gisbergen Catches Denny Hamlin Off-Guard as He Prepares for a New Foe

After the season's two superspeedway races, Denny Hamlin is convinced of one thing - Shane van Gisbergen is rapidly advancing.
Shane Van Gisbergen, Denny Hamlin

Out in the Open, Carson Hocevar’s 7-Words Hits Back at NASCAR’s Blunder Fest After Atlanta Dig

Carson Hocevar slams NASCAR for its officiating at the Cup Series race at COTA, marking the third straight week with blunders.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200 presented by CK Power at Gateway

‘FOX Doesn’t Know Racing’, Criticism Mounts as NASCAR World Goes Up in Arms Against Poor Race Coverage

Fans slammed FOX's NASCAR coverage for missed action, poor commentary, and technical gaffes during the start of the season.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock (13934101db) Leeds United fans are angry at the end of the game L

Richard Petty’s Underdog Makes Emotional 3 Worded Admission Amidst Newfound Cup Series Hope

Legacy Motor club's underdog rises through the ranks of NASCAR after a year of growth and learning by fixing on track challenges strategically
February 16, 1992: Daytona 500 – Richard Petty

“Are You Sh—Ing Me”: Carson Hocevar Left in Disbelief as He Inches Closer to Chase Elliott After Unbelievable Run

Carson Hocevar catches up to Chase Elliott with a demanding battle to redefine the standards for young drivers by forcing veterans to adapt.
WhatsApp Image 2025-03-02 at 5.01.39 AM

Road Course Ringer Left Bummed as SVG and Co. Come Out in Open Against NASCAR’s Weird New Addition

NASCAR's COTA changes sparks controversy and driver outrage. Will this solution cause more problems than it solves?
Shane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez

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)