Atlanta II

The Quaker State 400 available at Walmart represents the second NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the season. This Atlanta II event brings premier stock car racing back to Hampton, Georgia, where drivers compete across 260 laps covering 400.4 miles on one of the sport's most distinctive tracks. TNT Sports will broadcast the race to fans nationwide.

About the Quaker State 400

Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts this summer NASCAR Cup Series competition as part of its two-race schedule. The track measures 1.540 miles around its quad-oval configuration. Drivers face a challenging test of speed and strategy across more than 400 miles of racing. The event showcases modern stock car competition on a reconfigured surface that has transformed racing dynamics at this facility.

Atlanta Motor Speedway Configuration

The speedway underwent major changes in 2021 that reshaped its character. Track officials increased banking in the turns from 24 degrees to 28 degrees, making Atlanta Motor Speedway the highest-banked intermediate oval in NASCAR competition. The straightaways maintain five degrees of banking. The racing surface width varies across the circuit, with the frontstretch spanning 52 feet, the backstretch 42 feet, and the turns 40 feet wide. This configuration creates unique racing conditions compared to other intermediate tracks on the schedule.

Located in Hampton, Georgia, the facility can accommodate 71,000 spectators. The 1.54-mile layout places it just above the threshold that separates shorter tracks from larger intermediates, giving it distinct characteristics that influence technical packages and racing strategy.

Expected Competition Field

The NASCAR Cup Series field for Atlanta II will feature approximately 36 to 40 chartered teams plus select open entries. Major organizations including Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske, and Stewart-Haas Racing will field their complete driver lineups. Kyle Larson enters the season as the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion. Several teams made manufacturer changes for this season, with Haas Factory Team and Rick Ware Racing switching to Chevrolet. Chevrolet introduced a new ZL1 body style in November 2025 for competition this year.

Manufacturer Representation

The three major manufacturers - Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota - will be represented across the starting grid. NASCAR has established new parameters for additional manufacturers interested in joining Cup Series competition, including testing protocols and provisional grid positions for debut races.

Technical Specifications

The NASCAR Cup Series continues using the Next Gen car platform. For this season, NASCAR implemented several technical updates across the schedule. Horsepower targets increased to 750 hp for road courses and tracks shorter than 1.5 miles. Atlanta Motor Speedway, at 1.54 miles, falls outside this category and will use a different horsepower specification appropriate for larger intermediate tracks.

All tracks now require A-post flaps on competing vehicles. These flaps reduce the chance of cars becoming airborne during spins or incidents. The surface beneath each flap must be bright orange for visibility. Tracks under 1.5 miles and road courses use a short-track package featuring a three-inch rear spoiler and fewer diffuser strakes, though Atlanta's slightly larger size means it uses the intermediate track configuration.

Racing History at Atlanta

Atlanta Motor Speedway has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races since 1960. The facility operated under the name Atlanta International Raceway when it first opened. The inaugural Dixie 300 drew 25,000 spectators to witness Cup Series competition at the new venue.

The track traditionally hosted two annual Cup Series races throughout much of its history. Between 2011 and 2020, the schedule featured only one Atlanta race per year. NASCAR restored the second date, with the Quaker State 400 serving as the summer race while another event takes place earlier in the year. From 1987 through 2001, the second Atlanta race concluded the championship season.

Track Evolution

The racing surface received a complete rebuild in 1997, which introduced two bends to the oval layout. That version became known as one of NASCAR's fastest configurations. The 2021 reconfiguration represented the most substantial change, with the increased banking fundamentally altering racing dynamics and creating more aggressive competition.

Notable Track Information

Dale Earnhardt holds the record for most Cup Series victories at Atlanta Motor Speedway with nine wins. Richard Petty competed in more Cup races at this facility than any other driver, recording sixty-six starts during his career.

The speedway hosts activities beyond NASCAR competition. The facility has welcomed IndyCar and IMSA GT Championship racing over the years. Track tours allow visitors to explore the garage areas, Victory Lane, and take laps around the 1.54-mile circuit in a speedway van.

What Makes Atlanta II Distinctive

The combination of high banking, intermediate length, and narrowed racing surface creates unique conditions for the nascar-cup series. The 28-degree banking in the turns produces higher speeds and multiple racing lines, similar to superspeedway characteristics but on a shorter track. This configuration results in close-quarters racing with frequent position changes.

The Atlanta II race falls during the summer portion of the schedule, presenting different weather conditions and track temperatures compared to the spring event. Teams must adjust their setups to account for these variables. The 260-lap distance tests both driver stamina and crew strategy for tire management and fuel windows.

Atlanta Motor Speedway's position as the highest-banked intermediate oval sets it apart from other facilities of similar length. This distinctive feature influences how teams approach race preparation and how competition unfolds on track. The reconfigured surface continues to evolve as rubber builds up and racing grooves develop, offering different challenges each time the Cup Series returns.