| | | | | | | | | | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Real Racing. Real Fast. |
| | Atlanta, GA Known for “Real Racing. Real Fast,” Atlanta Motor Speedway is home to the fastest track in the NASCAR circuit. Once called the Atlanta International Raceway, the track made its debut on July 31, 1960. Today the Atlanta Motor Speedway spans 870 acres in Hampton, Georgia, about 25 miles south of Atlanta. The 1.54-mile quad-oval track has approximately one-quarter mile turns, banked 24 degrees.
This fan-friendly track has been considered a home to many, including former President Jimmy Carter, who was a ticket vendor at the track in the '60s and an avid race fan. The track even served as a Hurricane shelter for evacuees during Hurricane Frances, although there were no indoor facilities.
In 1958 Walker Jackson, Lloyd Smith, Garland Bagley, Ralph Sceiano and Ike Supporter began planning for the construction of the AIR but before they broke ground the group found they had insufficient funds. Some new investors and $1.8 million later, the speedway was ready. It still had a lot of work to go through before it was available to the public. The seats were made too low and fans couldn’t see over the wall, there was only one public bathroom - an outhouse - and the track was a mud haven.
In 1990 Bruton Smith bought the track and renamed it the Atlanta Motor Speedway. By adding the East Turn Grandstand, the seating capacity increased another 25,000 and 30 suites were added to the top of the stadium, giving it an epicurean feel. Under Smith’s ownership, Smith AMS has undergone a massive transformation, expanding its genre of shows. The track hosts everything from the Busch Series, ARCA, Drag Racing, and Indy Car Racing to dog shows, concerts, and business conventions.
In 1994 they added a nine story building that harbors 46 luxury condos adjacent to the Tara Clubhouse, its swimming pool, and tennis courts. Over the years they have also added the Earnhardt Grandstand, the Champions Grandstand, and the Winners Grandstand which increased the total number of luxury suites to 137. They also added a Trackside Terrace Luxury RV area for fans.
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