When NASCAR Comes to Atlanta: Key Race Dates, Tickets, and How to Get There

If you’re wondering “When is NASCAR in Atlanta?”, you’re really asking about when major NASCAR events take place at Atlanta Motor Speedway and how to plan around them.

In the Atlanta area, NASCAR action is centered at:

Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS)
1500 Tara Place
Hampton, GA 30228

That’s about 25–35 miles south of Downtown Atlanta, depending on your route.

NASCAR in Atlanta: What to Expect Each Year

NASCAR’s national series visits the Atlanta area multiple times a year, typically on two main race weekends:

• One race weekend in late winter/early spring (often February or March)
• One race weekend in summer (often July)

On these weekends, Atlanta Motor Speedway usually hosts a NASCAR Cup Series race, and often companion races from:

• NASCAR Xfinity Series
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Exact dates change year to year, so fans in Atlanta usually:

• Check the NASCAR national schedule for the current season
• Look at the Atlanta Motor Speedway event calendar
• Follow local Atlanta sports coverage for schedule announcements

Typical NASCAR Event Schedule in Atlanta

While the exact schedule varies, a standard NASCAR weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway often looks something like this:

*Always confirm the current year’s official schedule, as formats and start times can change.

For people in or visiting Atlanta, this means:

• Heavy traffic toward Hampton especially on Saturday and Sunday of race weekends
• More demand for rideshare, rental cars, and hotel rooms on the south side of the metro area
• Longer MARTA + rideshare times if you’re trying to reach the track from the city

How to Find the Exact NASCAR Dates for Atlanta

Because schedules and formats are updated each season, the most reliable way to know when NASCAR is in Atlanta is to check current information from:

• The NASCAR season schedule (look for “Atlanta Motor Speedway”)
• The Atlanta Motor Speedway events or tickets page
• Local sports and news outlets around Atlanta that cover racing and weekend events

When you check, look specifically for:

• “NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta”
• “NASCAR Xfinity Series at Atlanta”
• “NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Atlanta”

These will list the race names, dates, and start times.

Getting from Atlanta to Atlanta Motor Speedway

Even though it carries the Atlanta name, the track is in Hampton, Georgia, south of the city. Planning your transportation is important, especially on race days.

Driving from Atlanta

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta, common routes include:

• I-75 South toward Macon
• Exit near GA-20/GA-81 or Jonesboro/Griffin and follow signs to Atlanta Motor Speedway

General drive times (without heavy race traffic):

• Downtown Atlanta to AMS: about 35–50 minutes
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to AMS: about 25–40 minutes

On race days, plan for significantly more time because of:

• Race-day traffic near exits
• Slower speeds on local roads around Hampton and the speedway

Parking and Traffic Considerations

On NASCAR weekends:

• Track parking lots open several hours before the green flag
• There may be designated parking areas for RVs, buses, and general admission
• Local law enforcement typically directs traffic on the main roads leading into the speedway

To make it easier:

• 📍 Arrive early—many Atlanta fans aim to be in the area at least 2–3 hours before the main race
• 🕐 Check the race start time and build in buffer time for parking and walking to your seat
• 💵 Be prepared for cashless or card-only systems, depending on the current policies

Can You Take Public Transit from Atlanta?

There is no direct MARTA train or bus line that drops you at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Typical options from Atlanta include:

• MARTA + Rideshare/Taxi

  • Take MARTA rail to a south-side station (such as College Park or East Point)
  • Connect with Uber, Lyft, or taxi service for the rest of the trip to Hampton

• Charter buses or fan shuttles

  • Some years, fan tour groups or charter services operate race-day buses from the Atlanta area to AMS
  • These are not guaranteed every season, so you’ll want to look for current offerings once the NASCAR dates are announced

If you rely on public transit within the city:

• Expect that you’ll still need a car, rideshare, or shuttle to complete the trip from metro Atlanta to the speedway.

Where NASCAR Happens in Atlanta the Rest of the Year

Aside from the big NASCAR weekends, Atlanta Motor Speedway often hosts:

• Local racing series and track events
• Driving experiences or track tours on select dates
• Car shows, festivals, and special events

These are not always part of the NASCAR national series, but for Atlanta-area racing fans, they can still be a way to:

• See the track up close
• Experience racing in a smaller, less crowded setting
• Bring family or visiting friends to a motorsports event without the full race-weekend intensity

Details on these events are typically posted on the speedway’s event calendar for the year.

Tickets and Planning Ahead for Atlanta NASCAR Weekends

When NASCAR comes to Atlanta, tickets are usually available through the track and official channels.

Things locals and visitors usually consider:

• Seating choice

  • Frontstretch grandstands vs. other sections
  • Whether you want to be closer to start/finish, pit road, or certain turns

• Multi-day passes

  • Many fans purchase tickets that cover all race days (Cup, Xfinity, and/or Trucks)
  • This can be useful if you’re making a weekend trip from another part of metro Atlanta or out of town

• Camping and RV

  • Atlanta Motor Speedway offers camping areas on NASCAR weekends
  • These often sell out or fill early, so Atlanta residents planning to stay on-site typically book as soon as dates are announced

For anyone living in the city, a common approach is:

• Drive down only on race day, or
• Stay overnight in nearby cities like McDonough, Stockbridge, or Griffin to avoid same-day traffic from Atlanta

What Atlanta Residents Should Know on NASCAR Weekends

If you live or stay in metro Atlanta and are not going to the race, NASCAR weekends can still affect your plans:

• I-75 South can be busier than normal, especially near main exits to Hampton
• Hotels south of the airport may be fuller and more expensive due to racing crowds
• Airport-area traffic can increase if many out-of-town visitors arrive or depart around race days

If you’re planning:

• A trip to the airport, allow extra time if your route overlaps with race traffic
• South-side errands or outings, consider alternate times or routes during peak race hours

Quick Reference: How to Keep Track of NASCAR in Atlanta

Here’s a simple way to stay on top of when NASCAR is in Atlanta each year:

1. Check the NASCAR national schedule when the new season is announced.
2. Search for “Atlanta Motor Speedway” dates in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series sections.
3. Note the two main race weekends, usually:
   • One in late winter or early spring
   • One in mid-summer
4. Once you know the dates, plan:
   • Transportation (driving route, departure time, parking)
   • Tickets or passes
   • Lodging if you’re staying near the track or hosting out-of-town guests

For anyone in Atlanta, the key takeaway is:

• NASCAR is in Atlanta at least twice a year, centered at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, with big race weekends that bring extra traffic, visitors, and racing-related events throughout the metro area.