Information
Landmark: Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS)City: Atlanta
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS), Atlanta, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
About 30 miles south of downtown Atlanta, the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia stands as one of the nation’s top motorsports venues, where the roar of engines carries across the grandstands.Since opening in 1960, it’s risen into a landmark of NASCAR-a place where fans come for the roar of engines, the blur of cars at 200 miles an hour, and the deep roots of racing history.Tucked away in Hampton’s suburbs, AMS sits just a short drive from Atlanta, drawing crowds from nearby neighborhoods and fans who fly in from across the country.The speedway sprawls across a massive complex with seats for about 71,000 fans, gleaming modern facilities, and a smooth, well-kept track built for heart-pounding races.The track stretches 1.54 miles (2.48 km) in a quad-oval shape, its asphalt curves banked steeply at 28 degrees, with the straights easing down to just 5.This setup delivers a quick, demanding track where cars can run door to door and drivers have to think fast, leading to some of the year’s most thrilling NASCAR races.Atlanta Motor Speedway has seen major changes over the years, all aimed at improving racing, safety, and the fan experience.When it first opened in 1960, the track stretched 1.5 miles in a clean oval-just the kind of layout you’d expect from that era’s speedways, with fresh asphalt shimmering under the sun.In 1997, a major renovation moved the start/finish line for better fan sightlines and carved doglegs into the frontstretch, giving drivers fresh racing angles and more chances to pass, especially as tires squealed into the bends.In 2021, the track underwent its most dramatic reconfiguration, with the turns reshaped to a steep 28-degree banking-the sharpest of any NASCAR intermediate track, so steep you can feel it pull you sideways.They trimmed the track down to just 40 feet wide, leaving barely enough room for two cars to thunder past each other.The redesign pushed racing toward tight pack battles, much like the superspeedways at Daytona or Talladega, where cars roar side by side at blistering speeds and every lap feels like a fight for inches.Each year, Atlanta Motor Speedway draws huge crowds for two major NASCAR Cup Series races, with engines roaring and grandstands buzzing.In February, the Ambetter Health 400-traditionally the season’s second race-kicks off spring’s racing calendar.Known for its quick tempo, it pushes drivers to adjust fast, wrestling with the shifting demands of early-season competition.The Quaker State 400 in June lands right in the middle of the season, and its profile has only grown-especially since the track’s sweeping 2021 reconfiguration, when fresh asphalt made tires sing.The Quaker State 400 kicks off NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge, a fresh format built to pack more thrills and higher stakes into every lap of the year.Tens of thousands pack the stands, and millions watch from living rooms across the country, making AMS a key stop on NASCAR’s roaring circuit.Beyond hosting pro races, Atlanta Motor Speedway pulls fans right into the action-offering the NASCAR Racing Experience, where you can slide into the driver’s seat of a real stock car and feel the roar under your hands.The program offers a range of packages, from beginner sessions to advanced driving experiences where you’ll tackle several laps with a seasoned instructor calling out tips over the roar of the engine.Getting up close to the action lets fans feel the roar of the engines and truly admire the skill and adrenaline that drive high-speed racing.Concerts and festivals are part of the scene at AMS, along with other special events-think live bands under the evening lights-that turn it into more than just a racing venue.The Atlanta Motor Speedway has made its mark far beyond the track, showing up in movies, TV, and even the roar of a car in a late-night commercial.Movies have filmed here, including *Smokey and the Bandit II* (1980), *Six Pack* (1982), and *Logan Lucky* (2017).Its ties to Hollywood underscore the track’s place as a true American motorsports landmark, where cameras once caught the roar of engines echoing through the grandstands.The speedway complex boasts state-of-the-art facilities designed to handle huge crowds and make every visit exceptional, from spacious grandstands to crisp, clear sound booming over the track.There’s plenty here-grandstands with sweeping views, cozy hospitality suites, bustling concession stands, and parking that won’t leave you circling for hours.The venue features modern garage and pit areas built to handle the intense pace of professional racing, from roaring engines to quick-fire tire changes.AMS drives the local economy, drawing visitors who fill nearby hotels, crowd restaurant patios, and keep shops and tour guides busy.On race weekends, Hampton and its neighbors see big money pour in-from packed hotel rooms to busy diners and shops, even the corner café smells of fresh coffee for early fans.The speedway stays involved with the local community, running outreach programs that range from hands-on youth education to lively charity events tied to the roar of motorsports.Atlanta Motor Speedway blends decades of racing tradition with the roar of modern, high-tech innovations.Drivers and fans love its tough 1.54‑mile quad‑oval track, with steep banks and speeds that make engines roar.This track’s two yearly NASCAR Cup Series races are standout events, bursting with fierce battles and nail‑biting finishes that keep fans on their feet.Fans can feel the roar of NASCAR up close at AMS, a track whose legacy spills into film and pop culture, making it one of the Southeast’s-and the nation’s-top motorsports destinations.By constantly upgrading and finding new ways to connect with fans-whether it’s a roaring night race or a pit walk-the speedway keeps its energy high and stays a thrilling center for racing.
