NFJJ: When Atlanta Was NASCAR’s Most Dangerous Track

Atlanta Motor Speedway has a long and storied history in NASCAR of more than 60 years. Atlanta today is almost unrecognizable compared to the track in the 80s and ’90s, when for a time it was the fastest track on NASCAR’s schedule. After restrictor plates were mandated at Talladega and Daytona, average speeds for these Super Speedways were around 190 mph. Atlanta averaged qualifying speeds of around 193-197 mph, and with great speeds came an inherent risk. In the span of just over 10 years, two drivers and two crew members tragically lost their lives in Atlanta. Today we’re going to take a look at when Atlanta was NASCAR’s most feared track.