NASCAR: Debate This – Best Atlanta Configuration
When the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s configuration was redone in 1997, fans were split on which configuration was better in the long run. Many believed the old configuration had personality, while many argued in favor of the added speed of the new layout.
Martin Feigen:
Old Altanta was a unique track. I never had a chance to visit it, but watched the Winston Cup season finale there more times than I can remember. Four corners and long straights made for lots of places to pass. I have been to several races since the reconfiguration. One of the first things you notice as a fan who is there is the sun is right in your face all day. They built the original track with the sun behind the main grandstands. The backstretch of the current track is the front stretch of the old track. Pit lane is about where the backstretch was.
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Old Atlanta raced a lot like Darlington. It had long, fast straights and mildly banked corners with tight exits. It required drivers to lift through the corners, handling to be important, and ultimately it was in the drivers hands – something NASCAR has been trying to get back to with the new lower downforce package.
To me, in 1997 Bruton Smith’s idea of making it like the other mile and a half tracks he owned, was the beginning of of the end of the track’s greatness. That was the point where the term “cookie cutter track” was originated. The main purpose of the rebuild was to add suites, something the majority of fans will never see. As a result, the track has gone from selling out two races a year, to not finding a singe date it can sell out.
Joseph Shelton:
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always loved checking out the old races on Atlanta’s old layout. There’s a lot of history there, from the 1992 Hooter’s 500, widely regarded as NASCAR’s greatest race, to the 1996 season finale where Bobby Labonte won the race and Terry Labonte won the championship. I even visited the speedway in July of 1993, when I was but a wee slip of a lad. But let me be honest with you – the new layout is giving fans what they want in a great racing package.
Sure, the old layout had personality. It had chutzpah. But this new layout, with the extended dog-leg, makes it one of the fastest tracks on the tour, a moniker which isn’t to be taken lightly. Remember the 2000 and 2001 spring events? Back-to-back photo finishes with Dale Earnhardt edging Bobby Labonte in the first event:
As well as Kevin Harvick edging Jeff Gordon in the second event:
The excellent finishes also extend to the Camping World Truck Series, with Ron Hornaday’s 2005 win:
That’s not enough? What about Jeff Gordon’s 2011 win?
The new layout speaks for itself in that it’s brought more excitement than the old layout, largely thanks to the fact that it is such a fast race track. Bruton Smith’s idea to bring in suites and condos was secondary to the fact he wanted to spice up the product that Atlanta offered, and good on him.
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With this new downforce package putting the race in the driver’s hands once again, it’s a likelihood we’ll see the speedway go back to being one of NASCAR’s premiere venues. As a matter of fact, I’m still befuddled as to why this track is only hosting one race a year when it’s obvious that aside from NASCAR’s road courses, and maybe Texas Motor Speedway, Atlanta brings out the best in NASCAR racing. It’s a historical track with a new twist, and there isn’t a race that goes by that the product has some of the best racing of the season.