Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta is home to the Kobalt Tools 500 and the Labor Day Classic 500. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide | 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
Overview
If you feel the need for speed, Atlanta Motor Speedway is where you need to be. Qualifying speeds here have flirted with 200 mph in recent years. It's a track where drivers say they hit the gas pedal and hold their breath all the way around.
The first race at Atlanta is the fourth of the season, the Kobalt Tools 500, on March 8. This race has produced some of the closest finishes on the circuit over the years. Another photo finish could be in the making.
The big boys return to the 1.54-mile track at the end of the season, with the Labor Day Classic 500 on Sept. 6, the 25th of 36 races.
Atlanta is a quad-oval, giving fans the maximum viewing experience. The track's location, in the center of the Southeast and just south of one of America's fastest growing cities, makes it an attractive destination for race fans.
Address
1500 Highway 19 & 41 South
Hampton, GA 30228
atlantamotorspeedway.com
More track news is available through jayski.com.
City Guide: Atlanta
Notable Events
NASCAR Weekend
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009
• Sprint Cup Qualifying Night, 4:30 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
• Degree V12 300, 7 p.m.
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Gates open at 11 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009
• Labor Day Classic 500
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, 7:30 p.m.
Gates open at 2 p.m.
Tickets
Ticket office: 770-946-4211 or 877-9-AMS-TIX
Online: Buy tickets | Seating chart
Pit passes: $75 Friday only, $100 Sunday only, or $125 Friday to Sunday. Pit passes are not
good for gate admittance, and passes must be accompanied by a
grandstand ticket.
Fan hospitality: Call the track ticket office for further information.
Special packages: With the Family 4 Pack, a family of four can attend Sunday's Labor Day
Classic 500 for $159. Package includes four tickets to Sunday's race, four hot dogs and
four 12-ounce Coca-Colas.
Track Specs
Track length: 1.54-mile quad-oval
Banking: 24 degrees in the corners; 6 degrees on the straights
Frontstretch: 2,332 feet
Backstretch: 1,800 feet
Race length: 500 miles
Grandstand seating capacity: 111,000
Opened: 1960
Carry-In Items
Coolers: Allowed (14"x14"x14" limit).
Glass containers: Not Allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Allowed.
Cameras/recording devices: Allowed, must fit under seat.
Souvenirs and Displays
Merchandise: Driver, NASCAR and Atlanta Motor Speedway merchandise
haulers on-site.
Scanners: Scanners available for rent on-site.
Gift shop: Located at the speedway.
Autographs
Check local newspapers, television and atlantamotorspeedway.com.
Drivers sometimes make appearances at their souvenir trailers, but are rarely available on race day.
Pit Area Guidelines
Shirts: Required, must cover shoulder area.
Shoes: Required. No open toe shoes allowed.
Shorts/capri pants: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Not allowed.
Camping
Reserved: Available.
Unreserved: Available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Call the track ticket office for further information.
Associated Race Schools
Richard Petty Driving Experience
800-BE-PETTY
Web site
Fast Track High Performance Driving School
704-455-1700
Web site
Speed Tech Auto Racing School
877-80-SPEED
Web site
Buck Baker Racing School
704-366-6224
Web site
Getting There
• From the south:
Take I-75 north to exit 218 (State Highway 20).
Travel on Highway 20 for approximately 11 miles to track.
• From the north:
Take I-75 south to exit 235.
Continue on U.S. Highways 19 and 41 for 15 miles.
Parking
Free parking: Available.
Parking passes: Available on-site.
Handicapped parking: Limited availability, arrive early.
• Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide
• 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
