Atlanta Motor Speedway described its dramatic changes as a “reimagining of” the track.
The drivers faced the reality of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race in a 40-minute practice session.
Christopher Bell declared, “Full-blown Chaos”, sounding almost like he was finally able exhale.
The 1.54-mile track was already one of the fastest in the series. However, it was repaved using even steeper banking to prepare for the Cup race in Atlanta.
This results in more pack-style racing with the drafting looking almost identical to Talladega or Daytona’s restrictor-plate traffic jams.
This should be exciting for fans, but there may be many mangled race cars after the event.
After Saturday’s practice, Kyle Busch stated that “Obviously, when you get to the end stages and points are at stake, and especially when it comes to the end race and wins are on offer, man, you have to take care of one another.” We won’t crash because there’s no reason to, but it’s going to happen. It’s up to you to make it work.
Everyone felt like a rookie and the practice session was crucial for drivers to get used to the layout’s unique features.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. posted the fastest lap, 186.616 mph. “We all tried to learn as much as possible.”
It was more difficult to stay in the draft than to race on the plates, but they did manage to avoid some nerves through the sharp curves. The banking was increased from 24 degrees to 28 degrees, and the track became narrower.
It can get very dangerous when cars try to jump into the pits after turning four.
Stenhouse stated that one mistake could endanger the entire field, especially if you are at the front. It’s going be crazy to see this.
FanDuel has listed Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson, reigning Cup champons, as their co-favorites.
No matter who wins the race, there will be many exhausted drivers when they finish more than three hours.
Busch stated, “To run 325 laps here is a lot.” You’ll be in tight spaces. Although it’s likely to be more mental than physical, we’ll be exhausted after this one.
QUALIFYING CALLED ON
Rainstorms on Friday destroyed all practice sessions in all three series, forcing NASCAR’s weekend schedule to be altered.
Qualifying was originally scheduled for Saturday but was cancelled so that the trucks and cars could practice.
Chase Briscoe will be starting the Cup race at the pole according to NASCAR rules. Blaney will be joining him on the front row.
Under sunny skies, the cars circled the trioval Saturday. However, there were some strong gusts that made it interesting. For Sunday, expect more sunshine and temperatures in the upper 60s.
TIME TO GET GOING
Joe Gibbs Racing has had a difficult start to the season, with Busch having three top 10s, and second in points through four races.
Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin have just one other top-10 between them — Truex’s eighth place showing at Las Vegas — but they are eager to change things in Atlanta.
Truex is 13th, Hamlin 27th, and Bell 30th.
Bell stated, “We’ve had many high points but the finishing results are not showing that.” It’s time to see the final results.
WELCOME to ATLANTA
The new layout may not be as important, but Blaney & Kurt Busch won the Atlanta races last year.
Keep an eye out for Kevin Harvick who hasn’t made it to Victory Lane since 2020.
He has won in Atlanta three times and put in strong runs, including in 2017, when he won the pole. He also led 292 laps before coming in ninth.
Harvick is ranked 10th in points, with a few top-10 finishes. Harvick is looking to end a 47-race streak of winless races.
