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NASCAR: Let the Atlanta repave debate begin…again

By Dustin Smith

HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 05: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Autotrader Ford, leads Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds Of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 5, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 05: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Autotrader Ford, leads Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds Of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 5, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /
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Last year, Atlanta Motor Speedway chose to hold off on repaving its 1.5-mile track because the NASCAR drivers did not want it done. Will this happen again?

The last time Atlanta Motor Speedway was repaved was 21 years ago in 1997. There is obvious wear and tear on the track. However, should it be repaved?

The sport of NASCAR is all about history and tradition. From moonshiners to “the Car of Tomorrow”, NASCAR has evolved into one of the biggest sports industries in the world. With the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heading to Atlanta, the question that always gets asked is should the track be repaved?

By and large, there were several drivers who were not keen on the idea of a repave. In March of 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. broke the news via Twitter on the speedway’s decision to not repave the track.

Ultimately, the drivers spoke out against the repave, which eventually led to it being pushed back. There is no doubt the repave needs to happen at some point. This is especially the case just by looking at the track. The asphalt is patched up all over the 1.5-mile circuit. However, I have to agree with drivers who say the bumps and bruises the track has acquired make for great racing.

The pros of a repave

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There are many fans who have a hard time when they hear the word changes and NASCAR in the same sentence. Their heads explode. However, sometimes change can be good. One of my favorite things to watch are tracks that get a little bumpy over time. I like watching the cars bounce a little and drivers having to work to keep their cars straight. On the other hand, it is also fun to watch cars on a freshly paved course set new speed records.

A nice smooth race track means that drivers have more grip and speed records get broken. The track is also way more aesthetically pleasing. The patch work and other track blemishes don’t really make the track look good.

The cons of a repave

For starters, you lose the old school feel of the track. When you see Atlanta on TV, the track just screams history. The older asphalt also causes drivers to be on their game every lap. Each and every corner has a different groove or bump that is the difference between speed and chaos. Repaving just causes a track to lose its old school” feel. An older asphalt like Atlanta’s is the closest thing to dirt that the Xfinity and Cup Series drivers will drive on all year.

Wrap-Up

Well, the plan for now for Atlanta officials is to get through this weekend and see what needs to happen. Atlanta Motor Speedway will host all three major NASCAR touring series this weekend. Saturday will feature a double-header of the Truck Series and Xfinity Series.

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The one thing you can plan to hear frequently is the discussion on television broadcasts on whether or not the track needs to be repaved. I, for one, would prefer it not get repaved. Do you think Atlanta Motor Speedway should repave the track following this weekend’s racing or do you think the track is fine just the way it is?

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