​NASCAR heads back to Georgia this weekend for one of the most unpredictable stops on the Cup Series calendar. EchoPark Speedway, which previously operated as Atlanta Motor Speedway, will host a full three-day race weekend that features the ARCA Menards Series, Craftsman Truck Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series, leading up to Sunday’s Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart. Along with the action on the track, fans should brace for hot July temperatures that will push into the upper 80s. While Friday and Saturday look promising for on-track activity, Sunday’s forecast includes a risk of afternoon thunderstorms as the Cup Series prepares to take the green flag.
Here’s everything you need to know before the weekend begins. Friday’s schedule starts with practice at 1 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 2:15 p.m. ET. The day wraps with the Lime Rock Park ARCA 100 at 4 p.m. ET, broadcast on FS2. Expect a warm but generally favorable day for racing. Highs near 89 degrees and low around 71 degrees will accompany mostly partly cloudy skies. The wind will come from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph. A stray afternoon shower or thunderstorm cannot be ruled out, but current forecasts point to mostly isolated activity.
In addition to Friday’s events, there’s more on track with practice at 9 a.m. ET and qualifying at 10:05 a.m. ET on Saturday, followed by the LiUNA! 150 on FS1 at 1 p.m. ET. The schedule also includes a qualifying session broadcast on the CW App at 11 a.m. ET and the Focused Health 250 airing at 7 p.m. ET on truTV, with an additional qualifying session at 4:30 p.m. ET. Saturday is expected to mirror Friday’s warm conditions, with highs in the upper 80s and a low around 71 degrees, partly cloudy skies, and a 24% chance of rain. Winds will continue from the west-southwest at 5 to 10 mph, supporting ideal track conditions for most events.
Sunday stands out as the day to watch, with partly cloudy morning skies giving way to potential thunderstorms later in the day as the Cup Series race approaches. High temperatures should land around 86 degrees, with a low near 69 degrees. Rain chances increase to about 63%, and winds will come from the west at roughly 7 mph. Since the Cup Series race is scheduled for the evening, weather will be a critical factor to monitor, and forecast timing could shift before the green flag. Given the timing, the latest forecasts will continue to evolve as race day approaches, but Friday and Saturday currently show favorable conditions, while Sunday presents the greatest weather risk of the weekend.
Fans heading to EchoPark Speedway should stay tuned for any forecast updates as race weekend plans evolve. With a full slate of action across the ARCA Menards Series, Craftsman Truck Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Cup Series, this Georgia weekend promises intense competition and high temperatures, making it important to prepare for heat, humidity, and the potential for late-day thunderstorms. Stay hydrated, pace yourself in the heat, and keep an eye on weather advisories as Sunday could bring weather delays or shifts in race timing. As always, the latest forecasts will be the best resource for keeping up with schedule changes, so plan for a dynamic weekend at EchoPark Speedway.