NASCAR has announced that they will be breaking ground in Atlanta on a historic project to create an all-new race experience in 2022.
After the July 11 Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart, AMS will start its new project to create the next generation of Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Following 10 months of confidential research, development, testing, and simulation involving engineers and iRacing, the new project will be increasing the current 24-degree banking in Atlanta Motor Speedway’s turns to 28 degrees, which is higher than any other intermediate track currently on the NASCAR circuit. The project does not involve changing straightaway banking, which will remain at five degrees.
Alongside this change, Atlanta Motor Speedway will be narrowing the width of the racing surface from 55 feet to 40 feet.
NASCAR reports: “New widths will be 52 feet on the front stretch, 42 feet on the back stretch and 40 feet in the turns. The project will pave the way for a bold new era of NASCAR racing in Atlanta. The reconfiguration of Atlanta Motor Speedway is the latest innovative first from Speedway Motorsports, which has repeatedly redefined what’s possible in NASCAR.”
According to the report, construction will begin the week after the July 11 Quaker State 400.
The project’s 2022 debut will also coincide with the debut of NASCAR’s Next Gen car.
“Our partners at Speedway Motorsports have reprofiled Atlanta Motor Speedway to optimize the racing with the Next Gen car, and early simulations suggest the racing will be closer and even more competitive. From the Charlotte ROVAL to the Bristol Dirt Race and now a re-imagined Atlanta, Marcus Smith and his team continue to take bold, innovative steps to bring unique and exciting racing experiences to our fans,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer.
