Atlanta Motor Speedway holds a reputation as NASCAR’s fastest non-restrictor plate track. Drivers reach speeds in excess of 200mph and barrel off into 24-degree banked turns at two, three, and sometimes four wide.
- Geoffrey Bodine holds the track’s Sprint Cup Qualifying Record at 197.478mph set in 1997
AMS plays host to NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series twice a year, the Camping World Truck Series once in the spring, and as of 2009, the Nationwide Series now visits the track Labor Day weekend instead of in the spring.
2009 Atlanta Motor Speedway Schedule
- 03/07/09 CWTS American Commercial Lines 200 (completed)
- 03/08/09 NSCS Kobalt Tools 500 (completed)
- 09/05/09 NNS Degree V12 300
- 09/06/09 NSCS Pep Boys Auto 500
Atlanta Motor Speedway Track Layout
AMS is 1.54 mile quad-shaped oval located off Highway 19 & 41 S. in Hampton, Georgia, seating124,000 people, the tenth most in active NASCAR competition. It was completed in 1960 and has held NASCAR racing ever since.
- The September, 6, 2009 running of the Pep Boys Auto 500 will be AMS’s 100th Sprint Cup Race
With 24-degree turns, a 2,332-foot Frontstretch, and a 1,800-foot backstretch, Atlanta Motor Speedway produces some of the closest and most thrilling side-by-side racing on the NASCAR circuit.
Track Facts
- Shape: Quad-oval
- Distance: 1.54 miles
- Banking: 24° turns, 5° straights
- Frontstretch: 2,332 feet
- Backstretch: 1,800 feet
- Seating: 124,000
The Spring Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway
The first race of the year at Atlanta Motor Speedway is generally held during the first weekend of March. Set as the fourth race of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup schedule, this race helps establish who the stronger teams are at the beginning of the season.
Though early season success doesn’t always win championships. Only six times in its history has the winner of the spring race at AMS gone on to win the championship in the same year.
- Dale Earnhardt (1980 and 1990)
- Darrell Waltrip (1982)
- Jeff Gordon (1995)
- Tony Stewart (2002)
- Jimmie Johnson (2007)
The Fall Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Once a pivotal race in the middle of NASCAR's Chase to decide a champion, AMS's second race has now been scheduled for the Labor Day weekend making it an important race in deciding who makes the Chase for the Cup.
The second race at Atlanta Motor Speedway features the same thrill and excitement, except with a chance at the championship on the line. In that regard, only three drivers have won the second race at AMS and claimed the championship in the same year.
- Richard Petty (1971 and 1974)
- Dale Earnhardt (1986)
- Jimmie Johnson (2007)
Historically it has been difficult for drivers to sweep both races throughout a season, though AMS has been kind to repeat winners such as Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough, Bobby Labonte, and Bill Elliott.
1992 NASCAR Sprint (then Winston) Cup Championship
In 1992 when AMS was the last race on the Cup schedule, the championship came down to three drivers (Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki, and Bill Elliott) separated by 40 points. It was decided between Kulwicki and Elliott by only 10 points.
- Davey Allison led the championship standings before the race at AMS, but crashed on lap 286, finishing 27th in the race and 3rd in the standings
Bill Elliott actually won the race, but he and Kulwicki scored the same amount of points at AMS because Elliott led laps and won the race while Kulwicki led the most laps and finished second. Thereby, Kulwicki retained the 10-point advantage he held over Elliott before the race.
With all its speed and history, Atlanta Motor Speedway stakes itself as a premier NASCAR racing location. Who can’t love 500 miles of racing at 190mph!
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