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Atlanta Superspeedway Transformation: How ‘Racing on Steroids’ is Shaking Up NASCAR’s Legacy

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 26, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Atlanta Superspeedway Transformation: How ‘Racing on Steroids’ is Shaking Up NASCAR’s Legacy

Feb 23, 2025; Hampton, Georgia, USA; Chase Briscoe (19) leads the pack down the straightaway at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jason Allen-Imagn Images

The thrilling spectacle of superspeedway racing, historically associated with Daytona and Talladega, has taken a new turn with Atlanta Motor Speedway’s recent revamp. This shift has pushed NASCAR to experiment with its superspeedway package, creating an unprecedented racing experience.

The excitement reached fever pitch during the Ambetter Health 400, as the race intensified in its final laps. The drafting was a sight to behold – three wide, inches apart, constantly shifting like a stormy sea. One moment, the lead was in the hands of Kyle Larson, and in the blink of an eye, the white flag was waving for Christopher Bell.

Kevin Harvick, the seasoned NASCAR driver, delivered a fitting description of the action: “Racing on steroids.” This assertion was backed up by the aggressive driving styles of Carson Hocevar and Blaney in the race’s final moments. After all, this level of tenacity harks back to the racing days of Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Hocevar seems eager to follow in those tire tracks.

Hocevar, who finished second, made his intentions clear. “We’re here to win races, not be a boy band and love each other and play on the playground together,” he said. His competitive spirit mirrors the high-stakes atmosphere that now characterizes Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Harvick underscored the intensity of the new superspeedway experience. “You’re tense,” he said, “I know it’s strange to say that Atlanta is superspeedway racing on steroids, but that’s how it appears.” Unlike Daytona, where drivers have the luxury of planning their moves during extended runs, Atlanta demands constant split-second decision making.

Atlanta’s transformation has indeed resulted in some of the closest finishes in NASCAR history. Think back to the 2024 Ambetter Health 400, where Daniel Suárez beat Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide photo finish, marking the 4th closest finish in Cup Series history.

But isn’t this the legacy that Daytona was known for? Classic races like the 1959 Daytona 500 and the 1964 race where Richard Petty led 184 laps, are etched in NASCAR fans’ memories. However, with Atlanta’s emergence as a superspeedway powerhouse, Daytona’s legacy may be under threat.

Harvick notes the challenges brought on by the race’s speed. “Everything moves so fast. Being around a large pack disrupts the way the air is tumbling over the car land,” he said. Joey Logano’s struggle to keep his car steady in the turbulent air, as evidenced by his footcam footage, highlights the challenges that drivers face.

Despite these challenges, drivers seem to have tamed pack racing. Atlanta’s shorter track, compared to Daytona and Talladega, has made races more intense. But surprisingly, the most recent race was much cleaner than anticipated. Denny Hamlin, an expert in draft racing, expressed his amazement at the discipline shown by drivers, managing their cars in the dirty air and making calculated moves instead of desperate lunges.

“I was shocked we didn’t see more torn-up race cars,” Hamlin admitted on his Actions Detrimental podcast. Despite the next-gen car being a handful in the draft and cars darting around trying to control air off the nose and spoiler, it seemed like a wreck-fest waiting to happen. But, the anticipated carnage never materialized, showcasing the remarkable skill and discipline of NASCAR drivers.

In conclusion, while Atlanta has established itself as a highly competitive and unpredictable superspeedway, it still has some way to go before it can rival Daytona’s rich tradition. However, with more races like the recent ones, it might not be long before Atlanta takes the superspeedway crown from Daytona.

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