NASCAR: Which Tracks Will Be SAFER In 2016?
By Mike Hutton
Atlanta
Changes Made: Added 4742 feet of protective barrier on the inside of all turns. The entire outside walls as well as most of the inside walls are now protected., including extending protective wall at the end of pit road. Added tire barrier along inside wall of turn 4.
Comment: Solid improvements, especially given the visibility of this event now coming on the heels of the Daytona 500.
"“The safety of both drivers and fans continues to be our utmost priority,” track president Ed Clark said in a statement. “These additions solidify our commitment to providing the safest racing environment possible and the high-quality entertainment experience our fans deserve.”"
Atlanta now needs to address sparse attendance, which could continue to be a problem given the track’s late-February/early-March position on the schedule. If 2016 is anything like last year (see photo above,) the track’s days could be numbered. Speedway Motorsports Incorporated (SMI,) the track’s owner, might be dressing this pig up for sale.
Next: Las Vegas Motor Speedway