"Hotlanta" No More?

Originally Posted on March 16, 2006 on Foxsports.com

Nascar's series speeds into Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend.  Atlanta bills itself as the fastest track on the circuit, which it is since Daytona and Talladega now run restrictor plates.  But could that title be short lived?

Last year, Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte "levigated" its track.  The result?  Faster lap times than had ever been seen there before - and more blown tires and cautions than ever before.

Due to the tire problems, Humpy Wheeler, the track President, and Bruton Smith, the track owner via SMI, announced last fall that the track surface would be pulled up, and a new one laid down.  In fact, the process has been steadily moving forward and competitors, tire manufacturers and fans are holding their collective breath to see if the new pavement is nicer to the tires than the levigated surface was.  Everyone will find out at the end of May, when the All-Star race and Memorial Day races are held there.

Last week, the Cup series was at Las Vegas, which is also owned by Bruton Smith.  Smith plans to rip out that track surface, improve the banking in the corners, and repave it.  The hope is to increase speeds and make it a multiple groove race track (which, by the way, it already was).  It appears Smith wants to add seats, a fan-zone and give fans a better race to watch (hoping this sells more tickets of course).

By next year, both Charlotte and Las Vegas hope to challenge Atlanta for the title of "fastest track on the circuit."  It remains to be seen if the new surfaces will increase speeds beyond what they already are, or if the racing is any better at either venue.  In the mean time, Atlanta will continue to promote its self as "the fastest track."