​HAMPTON, Ga. — NASCAR’s Cup Series heads back to EchoPark Speedway for the second visit of the season on Sunday, July 12. Since receiving updates that included repaving and a light reconfiguration, the track formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway has climbed in the standings as a fan favorite, consistently delivering racing that keeps crowds entertained. In February, Tyler Reddick took the victory in a dramatic double-overtime finish at this venue.
This weekend marks the third race of the season to be carried by TNT Sports, with Steve Letarte, the former crew chief turned color analyst, calling Atlanta “one of the must-see tickets in NASCAR.” “The racing there is unbelievable,” Letarte told USA TODAY Sports a few weeks ago. “There are many variables that can shift when we head to Atlanta. The new layout — it resembles fighter jets in a punch bowl.” AJ Allmendinger, who drives the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, echoed the sentiment, noting the track’s uniqueness. “It’s one of a kind,” Allmendinger said. “If I were in the grandstands, I’d love it. In the car, I absolutely hate it.”
Chase Briscoe, the winner last weekend at Chicagoland driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, explained that the tire wear and handling are likely to be tougher on Sunday due to the scorching heat, compared to the February race. “Handling seems to get worse each time we come here, simply because the track loses grip,” Briscoe said. “It’ll race differently here. It has a slightly different vibe. At this point in the season, everyone knows what they need to do from a points perspective. It’s still going to be chaotic, I’m sure.”
In the current standings, Denny Hamlin sits atop the chart, 44 points ahead of Tyler Reddick. Briscoe has risen three spots to eighth after his first win of the year, while Allmendinger sits in 19th, three positions behind the cutoff line for the playoffs. Despite the strength of Toyota this season—seven of the top 10 finishers last weekend were Toyotas, and the manufacturer has claimed 13 of 19 victories—this Sunday’s race will begin with a front row of Ford Mustangs from Team Penske. Ryan Blaney earned the pole, with Joey Logano starting beside him; Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, and Daniel Suarez follow in the lineup, representing Chevrolet in the mix.
Atlanta also features NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge, a bracket-style competition awarding a $1 million prize to the winner. The remaining head-to-head matchups include Alex Bowman vs. Todd Gilliland, Briscoe vs. Chase Elliott, Hamlin vs. Christopher Bell, and Blaney in a pivotal position as the event unfolds.