Is Atlanta Motor Speedway a Super Speedway?

If you live in metro Atlanta or you’re planning a racing-focused visit, you might be wondering: Is Atlanta Motor Speedway considered a “super speedway”?

The short, clear answer: Atlanta Motor Speedway is usually classified as a 1.54‑mile oval intermediate track, not a traditional super speedway.

However, recent changes to the track have made racing there feel a lot more like a super speedway race, which is why the term comes up so often.

What “Super Speedway” Actually Means

In NASCAR and stock car racing, “super speedway” usually refers to:

• Very long tracks – typically 2.0 miles or longer
• With high banking and very high speeds
• That often produce drafting packs and “big one”–style multi-car crashes

Classic examples most fans point to are:

• Daytona International Speedway (2.5 miles)
• Talladega Superspeedway (2.66 miles)

By that traditional definition, Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) does not qualify, because it’s:

• 1.54 miles long
• A quad-oval, not a tri-oval like Daytona or Talladega
• Officially categorized by NASCAR as an intermediate track

But that’s only part of the story.

Why People Ask If Atlanta Is a Super Speedway

If you’ve been to a race in Hampton, Georgia (about 30 miles south of downtown Atlanta) in the last few years, you’ve probably noticed that:

• The racing looks much more like Daytona or Talladega than it used to.
• Cars run in tight drafting packs.
• Drivers talk about “super speedway–style” racing at Atlanta.

This is largely because of a major reconfiguration of Atlanta Motor Speedway that changed how the track races, even though the official length stayed the same.

How Atlanta Motor Speedway Changed

The 2021–2022 Reconfiguration

Atlanta Motor Speedway was repaved and reprofiled before the 2022 NASCAR season. Key changes included:

• Increased banking in the turns
• A narrower racing surface
• Fresh pavement, making the track smoother and faster

NASCAR also brought super speedway–style rules (sometimes called a “tapered spacer” or “drafting package”) to Cup Series races at Atlanta, similar to those used at:

• Daytona
• Talladega

Because of those changes, racing at AMS now features:

• Pack drafting (cars bunched up in large groups)
• More slingshot-style passes
• A higher chance of multi-car incidents, especially late in races

So while the track’s length and layout say “intermediate,” the on-track racing product is much closer to super speedway racing than it used to be.

Is Atlanta Motor Speedway Officially a Super Speedway?

From a technical and classification standpoint:

• No – Atlanta Motor Speedway is not officially a super speedway.
• It’s generally grouped as a 1.5-mile intermediate track in racing discussions and by many teams and series.

From a fan experience and racing style standpoint:

• Many fans, drivers, and commentators now describe Atlanta races as “super speedway–style.”
• You’ll often hear TV broadcasts compare Atlanta racing to Daytona and Talladega, especially since the reconfiguration.

So if you’re talking to hardcore racing fans or people inside the sport, they’ll usually call it an intermediate that races like a mini super speedway.

What This Means If You’re Going to a Race in Atlanta

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway, understanding this “almost but not quite” super speedway status can help you know what to expect.

1. Race Style and What You’ll See

Even though it’s not technically a super speedway, you can expect:

• Tight packs of cars running two or three wide
• Drafting to matter a lot, especially on the frontstretch and backstretch
• Late-race restarts that feel very similar to Daytona or Talladega
• An increased chance of dramatic, last-lap moves

For fans in Atlanta, that means:

• Races at AMS are generally high energy and unpredictable
• If you like constant action instead of long stretches of single-file racing, Atlanta can feel very “super speedway–like”

2. Ticket Buying and Seating Tips

Atlanta Motor Speedway is located at:

Atlanta Motor Speedway
1500 Tara Pl
Hampton, GA 30228
Main Phone: (770) 946-4211

Because the racing is pack-based, sightlines really matter:

• Frontstretch seats: Good for seeing restarts, pit road, and finishes.
• Higher rows: Helpful for following packs as they move through the turns.
• Turn 1 or Turn 4 seating: Often gives great views of side-by-side pack racing.

If you’re an Atlanta resident bringing visitors, you can let them know:
“It’s not Daytona or Talladega in length, but the racing is just as wild.”

3. Traffic and Travel From Atlanta

Even though AMS isn’t in the city proper, it’s a major regional attraction for big race weekends.

If you’re coming from Atlanta:

• Plan extra time on I-75 South, especially around Stockbridge, McDonough, and Hampton.
• Look for local traffic advisories from:
  • Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
  • Clayton County and Henry County sheriff’s offices, which often post race-weekend alerts.

For MARTA users:

• There is no direct MARTA rail to AMS.
• On major event days, some private shuttles or bus groups may operate from the metro area, but these can change year-to-year, so it’s best to confirm directly with event organizers or the speedway.

How Atlanta Compares to True Super Speedways

Here’s a simple comparison to put Atlanta in context:

From an Atlanta-centered point of view:

• Daytona and Talladega are still the “true” super speedways by design and definition.
• Atlanta Motor Speedway is shorter, but thanks to its reconfiguration and rule package, it races similarly, which is why fans and media often link it with those two tracks.

What Locals in Atlanta Should Know

For people who live in or around Atlanta:

• When someone asks, “Is Atlanta a super speedway?”, they’re almost always talking about Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, not the city itself.
• Technically: It’s an intermediate, 1.54‑mile quad-oval.
• Practically: It now produces super speedway–style racing, especially in NASCAR’s top series.

So if you’re explaining it to friends, visitors, or new racing fans in Atlanta, a helpful way to phrase it is:

That framing keeps you accurate from a racing perspective while still matching what people in Atlanta actually see and experience at the track.