HAMPTON, Ga. -- For the first time in 20 years, Atlanta Motor Speedway will be repaved after hosting a tripleheader NASCAR weekend in March.
According to track officials, the racing surface at AMS is the second-oldest on the NASCAR circuit. The track was reconfigured to its current layout after the spring race in 1997. Geoff Bodine set the current track record in qualifying for the very first race on the current layout, rocketing around
"Many of NASCAR's greatest moments have occurred on this racing surface, and I have no doubt the world's best drivers will give it a proper final event before the new surface comes to life," said AMS president Ed Clark. "Whichever driver can take home the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 trophy in 2017 will mark the end of one era of great racing in AMS history and the beginning of another."
Since the 1997 reconfiguration, the track has hosted 31 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races, 19 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, and 15 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. Atlanta has been the home of many classic finishes in NASCAR history, including Kevin Harvick's first career win following the death of Dale Earnhardt. Harvick beat Jeff Gordon to the finish line by just .006 seconds, the closest finish in NASCAR history at the time.
The repave is scheduled to begin in late March and be completed by mid-April. Track officials said the speedway's current layout and 24-degree banking in the corners will remain unchanged.
NASCAR's top series return to the Georgia oval with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying taking place on Friday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. The Performance Racing Network will carry live coverage of qualifying, as well as the NASCAR Xfinity Series' Rinnai 250 on Saturday, March 4 at 1:00 p.m.
PRN will close out the weekend with flag-to-flag coverage of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 on Sunday, March 5, beginning at 1:30 p.m. To find a PRN affiliate in your area, click here. Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is the defending race winner.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.