​For decades, NASCAR fans knew the venue simply as Atlanta Motor Speedway. Today it bears the EchoPark Speedway name, but the Georgia track’s identity as one of the sport’s most iconic and unpredictable destinations remains intact. This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series will return to the 1.54-mile oval in Hampton, Georgia, where drafting packs, late-race passes, and dramatic finishes have been the norm since the track underwent a major reconfiguration ahead of the 2022 season. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to EchoPark Speedway or a longtime NASCAR follower, here’s everything you need to know before the green flag drops.
EchoPark Speedway sits on an 850-acre property in Hampton, about 20 miles south of downtown Atlanta. The facility opened in 1960 as Atlanta International Raceway and was renamed Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1990 after Speedway Motorsports purchased the property. In June 2025, the historic venue adopted a new identity when it was renamed EchoPark Speedway as part of a seven-year naming rights agreement with EchoPark Automotive.
Even with the branding update, the track itself remains NASCAR’s enduring staple that has hosted Cup Series races for more than six decades. On paper, EchoPark Speedway might appear similar to many other intermediate ovals—measuring 1.54 miles and a touch longer than the traditional mile-and-a-half tracks. In practice, it races in a way that’s distinctly its own.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Speedway Motorsports carried out one of the most consequential track redesigns in modern NASCAR. The corners were narrowed, and the banking was increased from 24 degrees to 28 degrees. That change reshaped the racing style, making it more akin to Daytona and Talladega than to the old Atlanta layout. Drivers now spend large portions of races bunched into drafting groups, often running two, three, or even four wide for extended stretches. Rather than stretching green-flag runs, the field stays tightly packed, creating constant opportunities for passes and, just as frequently, opportunities for trouble. That combination has swiftly established EchoPark Speedway as one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable stops.
The post-reconfiguration era is reflected in the numbers: seven of the last eight Cup races at EchoPark Speedway have seen the winning pass come in the final two laps. Four of those races were decided by a pass on the final lap itself, underscoring that leading with several laps remaining is no guarantee of victory. One of the most memorable moments came in 2024 when Daniel Suárez edged Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch by a razor-thin 0.003 seconds—the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history at the time. That same race produced a 0.007-second margin separating first through third, illustrating just how tight the competition has become at EchoPark Speedway.
As fans prepare for race weekend, it’s worth noting that the track’s identity has evolved, but its place in NASCAR culture has not. EchoPark Speedway continues to deliver high-stakes drama, dramatic passes, and explosive finishes, making it a must-watch stop for every season and a beloved home for a sport that thrives on unpredictability. Whether you’re cheering for a first-time winner or hoping for a familiar face to conquer this tough, fast, and tightly contested oval, the storylines at EchoPark Speedway are never in short supply.