Atlanta Motor Speedway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Atlanta Motor Speedway

Quad-oval (1997–present)
Location	1500 Tara Place, Hampton, Georgia, 30228
Time zone	UTC−5 / UTC−4 (DST)
Coordinates	33°23′0.58″N 84°19′4.28″W / 33.3834944°N 84.3178556°W / 33.3834944; -84.3178556
Owner	Speedway Motorsports (1990–present)
Broke ground	17 September 1958; 66 years ago (1958-09-17)
Opened	25 July 1960; 64 years ago (1960-07-25)
Construction cost	$1.8 million USD
Former names	Atlanta International Raceway (1960–1990)
Major events	Current: NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 (1960–present) Quaker State 400 (1960–2010, 2021–present) The Winston (1986) Former: Indy Racing League Atlanta 500 Classic (1965–1966, 1978–1979, 1981–1983, 1998–2001) IMSA GT Championship Grand Prix of Atlanta (1993) AMA Superbike Championship (1993–1994)
Quad-oval (2022–present)
Length	1.540 mi (2.478 km)
Banking	Turns: 28° Straights: 5°
Race lap record	0:29.361 ( Josh Berry, Ford Mustang GT, 2024, NASCAR)
Quad-oval (1997–2021)
Length	1.540 mi (2.478 km)
Banking	Turns: 24° Straights: 5°
Race lap record	0:24.732 (224.163 mph) ( Billy Boat, Dallara IR-7, 1998, IRL)
Oval (1960–1996)
Length	1.522 mi (2.449 km)
Banking	Turns: 24° Straights: 5°
Road course (1992–1996)
Length	2.522 mi (4.059 km)
Race lap record	1:13.514 ( Juan Manuel Fangio II, Eagle Mk III, 1993)

Atlanta Motor Speedway is a famous race track in Hampton, Georgia. It used to be called the Atlanta International Raceway. This track is a 1.540 miles (2.478 km) "quad-oval" shape, which means it has four turns that are banked. It has hosted many exciting races since it opened in 1960, including big events from NASCAR and IndyCar.

The track is owned by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) since 1990. Brandon Hutchison is currently the general manager. The speedway can hold about 71,000 fans. It also has cool features like a nine-story building with apartments and a smaller 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) oval track. The whole area covers about 850 acres.

In the late 1950s, people wanted to build a race track that could compete with the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After some delays, the first races happened in 1960. The track had money problems in the late 1960s and early 1970s. But then, a motorsports leader named Bruton Smith bought it in 1990. Under his ownership, the track grew and was updated. It has been changed twice since 1990 to make racing even more exciting.

What is Atlanta Motor Speedway Like?

Track Shape and Features

The Atlanta Motor Speedway is 1.54 miles (2.48 km) long. The turns are very steep, with a 28-degree angle, and the straight parts are less steep, at 5 degrees. The track surface is different widths in different places. It's 52 feet wide on the front straight, 42 feet on the back straight, and 40 feet in the turns.

From 1997 to 2021, the turns were banked at 24 degrees. When the track first opened in 1960, it was a true oval with 24-degree banking in the turns.

In 1992, a 2.5 miles (4.0 km) road course was added. This "roval" combines the main oval with a special twisty section inside the track. In 1997, a smaller 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) oval was built on the front straight. This smaller track is used for "legends car racing," which features smaller, older-style race cars.

Cool Things at the Track

Atlanta Motor Speedway is easy to get to, located near U.S. Routes 41 and 19, and Georgia State Route 20. In 2015, the track could hold 71,000 people. At its busiest in 2010, it could hold up to 124,000 fans! The entire property is huge, covering about 850 acres.

The track complex also has a nine-story building called Tara Place. It was finished in 1994 and has 46 apartments and a large ballroom.

History of the Track

Building the Speedway

In 1958, a group called First Georgia Securities Corporation announced plans to build a big race track. They wanted it to be a 50,000-seat facility on 400 acres, south of Atlanta. The new company, Atlanta International Raceway, Inc. (AIR), was formed to lead the project. They hoped to host big races from NASCAR and USAC (another racing group). They even wanted to use the facility for other outdoor shows. It was planned to be the second-biggest race track in the United States, after Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Building the track had some challenges. Selling shares to raise money was slow. Famous drivers like Curtis Turner and Joe Weatherly were involved but later had disagreements. Groundbreaking happened in September 1958, but actual construction didn't start until late November.

Delays and Challenges

The project faced many delays. Drivers threatened to quit because of money issues. The track had trouble getting enough money. A NASCAR race planned for November 1959 had to be postponed because construction was not finished. Heavy rains also caused problems, leaving the track half-built. The race was delayed multiple times.

In 1960, a new president, Art Lester, took over and secured more money. The track finally got a contract to finish construction. NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. was hopeful the track would be ready for a July 31 race, but he knew there was "a heck of a lot of work to do." When it finally opened, it cost $1.8 million.

Early Years of Racing

The first tests on the track were done in July 1960. The track officially opened on July 25 for practice before the first big race. However, there were immediate problems. A flaw was found near the pits, and there were no guardrails. Rain also caused issues, and drivers reported a "bad bump" in the first turn. Despite this, the first race, the 1960 Dixie 300, was held on July 31. About 25,000 fans watched Fireball Roberts win the first race.

The track faced leadership changes soon after opening. There were disagreements among the owners, and the first president, Art Lester, resigned. Nelson Weaver took over as president.

Over the next few years, improvements were made. Guardrails were installed, and a new scoreboard was added. By 1963, the track started making a profit. In 1965, there were plans to build a dragstrip. Nelson Weaver, who had helped stabilize the track, sadly passed away in 1968.

Money Troubles and New Ownership

In its early years, many NASCAR races at Atlanta were delayed by rain, which caused money problems. There were also many leadership changes and disagreements. The track surface was not always good, and traffic was a big issue for fans.

In 1968, the track merged with Michigan International Speedway, hoping to get more money for improvements like repaving and expanding seats. However, the company that owned both tracks, American Raceways, soon ran into financial trouble.

By 1970, the track was in deep financial trouble. The IRS even demanded money for unpaid taxes, threatening to cancel a big race. A deal to merge with Charlotte Motor Speedway fell through, sealing the track's fate.

Bankruptcy and Recovery

Atlanta International Raceway officially filed for bankruptcy in January 1971. This meant the court would help manage the track's money problems. The track owed about $1.4 million. Even with bankruptcy, the track was able to hold the 1971 Atlanta 500 race. Many people thought this race was crucial for the track's survival. About 57,000 fans showed up, which was good news.

Over the next few years, the track slowly recovered. New managers were appointed, and the track started making a profit again. In 1972, a storm damaged parts of the track, but it still managed to make money. By 1976, after five years, the track was officially out of bankruptcy and under new ownership.

After Bankruptcy

In 1978, the track was repaved. Sadly, in 1979, the first death at the track happened when a mechanic was hit by a car on pit road. In 1984, a racer named Terry Schoonover died in a crash, leading to new walls being built for safety.

In 1986, the track had $3 million in renovations. Two years later, it was repaved again. In 1989, there were rumors that famous motorsports businessman Roger Penske wanted to buy the track, but the owners said no.

The Bruton Smith Era

In February 1990, news spread that Bruton Smith, who owned Charlotte Motor Speedway, was trying to buy Atlanta International Raceway. After some back and forth, Smith officially bought the track on October 24, 1990, for $19.8 million. He immediately renamed it Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Smith had big plans, promising to invest $75 million in renovations. In his first year, he added 21,000 new seats and improved traffic flow. In 1991, a new 2.5 miles (4.0 km) road course was added, which held its first races in 1992. Ed Clark became the new general manager. In 1993, plans were made to expand the seating to 180,000 and build a new apartment complex called Tara Place.

1997 Track Changes

More renovations were planned in 1994, including adding 68,000 seats and changing the track shape. The Tara Place apartments were fully finished in 1994. In 1997, the track was changed from a 1.52 miles (2.45 km) oval to a 1.54 miles (2.48 km) quad-oval. This change cost $30 million and added 37,000 seats, a smaller track for legends cars, and new garages. Some drivers, like Dale Earnhardt, were not happy about the changes at first.

In July 2005, a tornado hit the track, causing about $40 million in damage to the grandstands and other buildings. Luckily, the race track itself was not damaged. In 2006, old grandstands were removed and new ones were built, increasing seating to 113,000. Later, in the 2010s, the track's seating capacity was gradually reduced to 71,000.

Recent Changes

In late 2019, there was a proposal to build a huge entertainment complex at the track. This plan depended on whether gambling would become legal in Georgia. While the idea had some support, it hasn't moved forward much.

In 2021, the track was repaved and changed again. This was the first repave since 1997. The banking in the turns was increased to 28 degrees, and the track surface was made narrower. These changes were made to create a different style of racing, similar to the exciting "pack racing" seen at very large speedways. Some drivers, like Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick, were critical of the changes because they felt drivers were not asked for their opinions.

What Happens at Atlanta Motor Speedway?

Racing Events

NASCAR Races

Atlanta Motor Speedway has hosted two major NASCAR Cup Series races almost every year since 1960. These are the Ambetter Health 400 and the Quaker State 400.

The Ambetter Health 400 race, originally called the Dixie 300, was first planned for 1959 but was delayed until 1960. Its distance has changed over the years, from 300 miles (480 km) to 500 miles (800 km). It used to be held in the fall but is now in the spring.

The Quaker State 400, once called the Atlanta 500, started in 1960. It was held every spring until 2011. Ten years later, in 2021, this second race was brought back to the schedule, now held in July. The track also hosts races for lower NASCAR series, like the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series.

In 1986, Atlanta Motor Speedway hosted a special NASCAR race called The Winston (now the NASCAR All-Star Race).

IndyCar Races

In 1961, the track planned to host a race with Indy-style cars. However, it was canceled because the track was not safe enough for those fast cars. Four years later, in 1965, IndyCar racing finally came to Atlanta.

In 1997, the Indy Racing League (IRL) announced a 500 kilometres (310 mi) race at the track, which ran from 1998 to 2001.

Other Uses of the Track

The Atlanta Motor Speedway has been used as a safe place for people to go during hurricanes. This happened during hurricanes like Irma (2017), Florence (2018), Michael (2018), Dorian (2019), Ian (2022), and Idalia (2023).

In 2021, the Atlanta Marathon was held at the track because of COVID-19 rules. Also in 2021, the TV show America's Got Talent: Extreme filmed its first season there.

Movies Filmed Here

The track has been a filming location for several movies. It was first used in the 1962 movie Thundering Wheels. Later, it appeared in films like Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), Six Pack (1982), and Stroker Ace (1983). More recently, the 2017 movie Logan Lucky used the track as a stand-in for another famous speedway.

Fastest Laps

As of February 2024, here are some of the fastest official race laps at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

Images for kids

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  The Tara Place condominium complex (pictured in 2015).

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  Tornado damage to the facility caused by Hurricane Cindy in 2005.

See also

In Spanish: Atlanta Motor Speedway para niños