In a season already marked by unprecedented racing developments, the 2024 Ambetter Health 400 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway took the NASCAR Cup Series to new heights. What began as a weekend overshadowed by driver criticism and skepticism over the remodeled superspeedway package, turned into an edge-of-the-seat, history-making event for NASCAR, leaving the entire motorsports community with jaws wide open.

Amidst the elation, however, a surprising revelation emerged. In a recent fan poll conducted by FOX, Charlotte, NC, not Atlanta, emerged as the top contender for a potential destination for a replacement race. This unexpected turn of events throws a spotlight on the rollercoaster ride that has been the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

While the 1.52-mile oval boasts a rich history dating back to 1960, the 2021 reconfiguration, aimed at mimicking the pack racing experience of Daytona and Talladega, had received significant backlash from drivers and fans alike. Concerns about the lack of driver input in the redesign, coupled with anxieties surrounding the “unpredictability” of the new restrictor-plate layout, cast a shadow of doubt on the future of Atlanta in the Cup Series.

Atlanta thrills, but Charlotte leads race for NASCAR replacement

Nevertheless, the 2024 race defied all expectations. The drama unfolded from the very second lap, with a massive pile-up setting the stage for a chaotic and unpredictable race. Throughout the event, numerous lead changes and close calls kept the adrenaline pumping, culminating in the near-impossible photo finish between Daniel Suarez, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch.

This nail-biting conclusion, which saw Trackhouse Racing’s #99 edging out Blaney by a mere 0.003 seconds, not only etched itself into NASCAR history as the second-closest finish ever but also rekindled the excitement surrounding the potential of reconstructed Atlanta.

Despite the thrilling finish, the results of a recent FOX poll gauging popular interest in future superspeedway events cast doubt on Atlanta’s long-term future in the Cup Series. The poll, conducted just days after the Ambetter Health 400, saw Charlotte, North Carolina garner the highest number of votes (6.6) with Greensboro (5.8) just 90 miles away following behind. The top 5 was rounded off by popular destinations such as Norfolk, Indianapolis, and Orlando receiving (5.1), (4.6), and (4.0) ratings respectively.

Interestingly, this fan sentiment doesn’t seem to be reflected in the viewership numbers for the Ambetter Health 400. The race raked in a staggering 4.464 million viewers on FOX, marking a significant increase of 33% compared to the 2023 Atlanta race and 5% compared to the second race of the 2023 season held at the now-defunct Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. This positive viewership trend is highly indicative of the discrepancy between the perceived negativity surrounding the new superspeedway and the actual engagement it generated among the fans.

Furthermore, the photo finish at Atlanta was the most viral moment for NASCAR in recent happenings since another Trackhouse driver, one Ross Chastain performed a ‘video game’ move, christened the infamous ‘Hail Melon’ at Martinsville in 2022.

Atlanta Motor Speedway Gets a Major Alteration, Much to Drivers’ Disappointment

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The dramatic conclusion at Atlanta also seemed to trigger a shift in driver perspectives. Skepticism dominated pre-race interviews, but post-race reactions took a cautious turn towards optimism. JGR’s Denny Hamlin, who had been one of the most vocal critics of the track’s reconfiguration, even went as far as to congratulate the top three finishers for their “great job” and acknowledged the potential this finish held for bringing “well-needed momentum” to the 2024 NASCAR season.

However, some drivers remained unconvinced. Kyle Busch, who bore the brunt of the historic three-wide finish, expressed his frustration despite coming in third. “I hate that we had a Lightning McQueen-style finish,” he shared with RACER after the race, referring to the feather-thin proximity and the ‘Hollywood-style’ ending of the cars in the final stretch. “It’s frustrating; I hate it because I felt like we were one of the top five cars today and had a good shot.”

But the question remains still: is any of it enough to secure Atlanta’s long-term future in the Cup Series? The answer might lie just 275 miles north, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway, a clear fan favorite with a rich history, holds the 400-lap-long Coca-Cola 600 annually on Memorial Day weekend. The race itself is considered one of the most grueling and prestigious races in the Cup Series. Unlike Atlanta’s recent modifications, Charlotte has maintained its original layout, characterized by its high-banked turns and challenging 600-mile distance.

As NASCAR heads towards Las Vegas for the Pennzoil 400 next week, the motorsports community waits with bated breath to see how this saga unfolds and where the future of the Ambetter Health 400 ultimately lies.

Revived Atlanta Motor Speedway Refuted Cup Drivers’ Protest With One of the Closest Finishes in NASCAR History