What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs enter the Round of 16 at the Intermediate drafting track Atlanta Motor Speedway. With the NASCAR Xfinity Series in tow, both series have massive implications on the line for each of their playoffs.

• Atlanta Motor Speedway is an institution of stock car racing in the Deep South. The track was once a traditional oval before being bought by Speedway Motorsports and converted to a quad-oval in 1997. In 2022, the track finished a massive renovation into a modified drafting track, shorter than the Superspeedway’s but with similar pack racing.
• The NASCAR Cup Series began racing in Atlanta in 1960. The track hosted the Cup Series finale from 1987 to 2000. During that period, it hosted the 1992 Hooters 500, a race known for its implication on the future of NASCAR.
• The NASCAR Xfinity Series first visited Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Spring of 1992, with Jeff Gordon winning the track’s debut. From 1992 to 2020, the series hosted one race in Atlanta before moving to two races a year in 2022.
• This year is the first time the track has hosted a playoff race for either series. However, it will be eliminated from the playoffs for 2025.

Weekend TV Schedule (All Times ET)

Saturday, September 7th – Cup and Xfinity Series Practice/Qualifying – Xfinity RACE

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Xfinity Series Qualifying on USA
• 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Cup Series Qualifying on USA
• 3:00 p.m. – Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 on USA

Sunday, September 8th – Cup Series RACE

• 3:00 p.m. – Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on USA

Race Facts

Atlanta Motor Speedway – Track Facts – Via Atlanta Motor Speedway

• Year Built: 1960
• Length: 1.54 mile
• Shape: Quad-oval
• Banking: 28 Degrees in Turns; 5 Degrees on Frontstretch and Backstretch
• Surface: Asphalt
• Lights: Yes
• Rain Tires: No

Xfinity Series

• Race Length: 163 Laps (251.02 Miles)
• Stages: Laps 40 Laps (Stages 1 & 2), 83 Laps (Stage 3)
• Most-Recent Winner: John Hunter Nemechek (Fall 2023)

Cup Series

• Race Length: 260 Laps (400.4 Miles)
• Stages: 60 Laps (Stage 1), 100 Laps (Stage 2&3)
• Most-Recent Winner: William Byron (Fall 2023)

Entry Lists

Xfinity Series

There are 37 cars for 40 spots, no cars will be sent home. Notable entries include:

• Mason Massey IV – No. 14 – SS-Green Light Racing
• Lawless Alan – No. 15 – AM Racing
• Taylor Gray – No. 19 – Joe Gibbs Racing
• Ryan Truex – No. 20 – Joe Gibbs Racing
• Corey Heim – No. 26 – Sam Hunt Racing
• Mason Maggio – No. 35 – Joey Gase Motorsports
• Garrett Smithley – No. 45 – Alpha Prime Racing
• Morgen Baird – No. 53 – Joey Gase Motorsports
• Dawson Cram – No. 74 – Mike Harmon Racing
• Nick Leitz – No. 92 – DGM Racing
• C.J. McLaughlin – No. 07 – SS-Green Light Racing

Former winners in the Field:

• A.J. Allmendinger, (2020)
• Austin Hill, (Fall 2022, Spring 2023 & 2024)
• Justin Allgaier, (Spring 2021)

Cup Series

There are 38 cars for 40 spots. No cars will be sent home. Notable entries include:

• Cody Ware – No. 15 – Rick Ware Racing
• Shane Van Gisbergen – No. 16 – Kaulig Racing
• J.J. Yeley – No. 44 – NY Racing Team
• BJ McLeod – No. 78 – Live Fast Motorsports

Former winners in the Field:

• Brad Keselowski, (2017 & 2019)
• Chase Elliott, (Summer 2022)
• Daniel Suarez, (Spring 2024)
• Denny Hamlin, (2012)
• Joey Logano, (Spring 2023)
• Kyle Busch, (Spring 2008, 2013)
• Ryan Blaney, (Spring 2021)
• William Byron, (Spring 2022, Summer 2023)

Qualifying Order

Xfinity Series

Cup Series

What To Watch For

Xfinity Series

• The Xfinity Series is three races away from the start of its playoffs at Kansas Speedway. Four spots are left for multiple drivers. For some Atlanta is the last chance for locking into the playoffs. Each upcoming track has the opportunity for a first-time winner, none more so than Atlanta.
• The spring race at Atlanta saw just one accident, which is uncommon for a drafting track. Austin Hill, a drafting track expert, won that race, and Daytona, in fact, Richard Childress Racing Drivers have won three of the four drafting races this season. However, don’t count on an underdog to win this race. In 2023, John Hunter Nemechek, then the championship favorite, won this race.

Cup Series

• Four NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers face elimination starting Saturday. While a track like Atlanta can be fun, a big wreck could cost a top driver their spot in the Round of 12. Notably, look out for pit road at Atlanta.
• Pit road entry is on the backstretch, and drivers must proceed at 90 mph through turns 3 and 4. Drivers need to commit, slow down twice, and stay within the lines to avoid a costly penalty, something difficult to do in pack racing. Fuel strategy will be costly on Sunday as well. However, as the season has gone on, teams have better strategized for fuel savings.
• The Spring race at Atlanta saw the finish of a lifetime. Three wide, at the line, Daniel Suarez beat out Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch. In retrospect, Busch did not make the playoffs by just inches. A last-second push or over-aggression could cost drivers a shot at the next Round and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

Note: This article will be updated as more information about the weekend comes out.