NASCAR was set to race the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March when everything was put on hold.
The race was set for March 15th. However, the coronavirus pandemic then cancelled or postponed all sports. The NASCAR Cup Series returned Sunday May 17th without fans in the stands and with safety protocols for the drivers, team members and officials at the track. There were five races in fifteen days at three tracks. Now it is time for the race we were ready for in March but never got to watch. Unfortunately it is still without fans in the stands.
Racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway is anything but easy. Here is what the drivers will be facing Sunday.
Atlanta Motor Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.54-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 24 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,332 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,800 feet
Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Data
Season Race #: 10 of 36 (06-07-20)
Race Length: 325 laps / 500.5 miles
Stage 1 & 2: 105 Laps (each)
Final Stage: 115 Laps
These are the active drivers who have performed the best in the cup series at Atlanta.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Atlanta
- Kevin Harvick ………………………… 100.5
- Jimmie Johnson .…………………….. 100.5
- Kurt Busch .…………………………… 96.9
- Brad Keselowski ……………………… 96.6
- Martin Truex Jr. ………..………………. 95.2
- Denny Hamlin …………………………. 94.2
- Kyle Busch ……….…………………… 92.7
- Kyle Larson …..……………………….. 90.2
- Chase Elliott …………………………… 89.2
- Joey Logano …………………………… 83.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2019 races (21 total) among active drivers at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
These six active drivers have won races at Atlanta during their careers in NASCAR’s top division.
Active Drivers with Win(s) at Atlanta
- Jimmie Johnson – 5 Wins
- Kurt Busch – 3 Wins
- Brad Keselowski – 2 Wins
- Kevin Harvick – 2 Wins
- Kyle Busch – 2 Wins
- Denny Hamlin – 1 Win
Watching races is different right now. The pre-race ceremonies and post-race celebration with no fans and limited personnel at the track looks odd. However, getting to watch racing again on TV is a very enjoyable thing to me.
We will get to see which driver does a burn-out for the cameras and stands in Vitory Lane solo starting at 2 P.M. central time (3 P.M. eastern time) this Sunday, June 7th in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
By: Buck Stevens
