Chase Elliott has made it clear that racing at Atlanta is going to be quite a challenge. The Hendrick Motorsports driver highlighted the “craziness” of the 1.5-mile oval, which is set to host its first playoff race since its reconfiguration in 2022.
The Quaker State 400 will kick off the playoff series at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, taking place on Sunday, September 8, at 3:00 PM ET.
Since opening its doors in 1960, AMS has seen numerous transformations. The first major change occurred in 1997, when the track was reshaped into a quad-oval. The latest modifications were made between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, focusing on adjustments to the banking and track width.
The revamped track features an increase in banking from 24 degrees in the turns to 28 degrees. However, the width has been reduced from 55 feet to 40 feet. This has turned Atlanta into a drafting track, producing racing dynamics similar to those at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
Both Daytona and Talladega are infamous for their high-speed crashes, where drivers often lose control as they navigate the speed trap before the turns, leading to chaotic multi-car wrecks.
Reflecting on the “craziness” of the 1.5-mile oval, Chase Elliott warned that the upcoming race will not be an easy task and that the first playoff round deserves to be taken seriously.
In a discussion with Racing America for “Sports Illustrated,” the 2020 Cup Series champion shared his insights.
Chase Elliott emphasized the importance of the first round, stating that it’s far from an easy task. “With these short rounds happening annually, adding another speedway only amplifies the excitement. If you keep creating these scenarios, expect nothing less than chaos,” he remarked.
The upcoming 400-mile showdown will be the second Cup Series event at the Speedway for the 2024 season. Elliott has achieved three pole positions and one victory at Atlanta in 2022.
Denny Hamlin echoed Elliott’s sentiments regarding the challenges of racing at the Atlanta venue. “He said it, and I completely agree,” Hamlin noted. “With a new road course at Watkins Glen in the playoffs and an unfamiliar tire compound, Atlanta is unpredictable. I can’t recall finishing a superspeedway NextGen race in my career. Anything can happen. We might need to secure a win at Bristol, and if that’s the case, we will,” the Joe Gibbs Racing driver added.
Bristol Motor Speedway marked Hamlin’s first victory of the 2024 season, where the half-mile concrete track caught many off guard with its unexpected tire wear, leading to rapid strategic adjustments.
Following the 220-mile race at Watkins Glen, Bristol will be the site of the final Round of 16 showdown, featuring 500 laps of thrilling action.
