Latest news with #AtlantaMotorSpeedway
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
NASCAR's Atlanta Motor Speedway Is No More —For Now
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 23: Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, and Joey ... More Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2025 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by) It's not every day the governor of Georgia shows up to a racetrack press conference, so you could be forgiven for thinking something earth-shattering was about to be announced—alien landings, a third Buc-ee's, perhaps. Instead, we got a renaming. In a move that combines family synergy, corporate branding, and the high-speed theater of NASCAR the track long known as Atlanta Motor Speedway has officially been rebranded as EchoPark Speedway. The seven-year naming rights agreement was announced Tuesday by Speedway Motorsports and EchoPark Automotive, a subsidiary of Sonic Automotive. If those names sound related, it's because they are: both are run by members of the Smith family dynasty, heirs to the late Bruton Smith's motorsports empire. The deal gives Georgia's only NASCAR track a new name and a bright green makeover just in time for its national debut as the opening race of TNT's NASCAR broadcast slate on June 28. EchoPark, which specializes in pre-owned vehicle sales, will now beam its brand across every inch of the 850-acre speedway in Hampton, Georgia, from track walls to Victory Lane. David Smith, CEO of Sonic Automotive and brother to Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, is at the heart of this deal. So is this a savvy business partnership, or a case of one Smith brother Venmo-ing another under the table and slapping a logo on Turn 4? The terms are described as a "multi-million-dollar" agreement, but one can't help but wonder if the actual check was written in crayon at a family barbecue. To be fair, EchoPark has been steadily expanding its presence in NASCAR, with activations across nine Speedway Motorsports venues and an increasingly visible footprint among the fanbase. The company operates 17 locations in 13 markets, many of which overlap with core NASCAR territories like Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. As for the rebrand, fans will get their first look at the new EchoPark Speedway during the Quaker State 400 on June 28. The winner won't just get a trophy; they'll be handed a "nearly new" Chevy Silverado and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle so rare it sounds like something a Bond villain would collect. Only 26 of the limited-edition Sturgis Rally Harleys exist, and the first one goes straight to Victory Lane. HAMPTON, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 25: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, ... More crosses the finish line ahead of Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BodyArmor Zero Sugar Ford, to win the NASCAR Cup Series Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 25, 2024 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by) Marcus Smith described the partnership as a union of like-minded, customer-focused companies. "EchoPark Automotive is as committed to exceptional customer service as we are," he said. That may be true, but it also helps when your brother runs the other company. The track itself has seen plenty of reconfigurations over the years—the most recent in 2021 turned it into a superspeedway-style oval with 28 degrees of banking. That shift has produced some of the most thrilling finishes in recent NASCAR history, including the closest three-wide finish ever recorded last year. EchoPark Speedway—still tough to say without a raised eyebrow—has been part of NASCAR's core calendar since 1960. It hosted the season finale from 1987 to 2000 and was the backdrop to one of the sport's most iconic races: the 1992 finale that featured Richard Petty's last race, Jeff Gordon's first, and Alan Kulwicki's improbable championship win. This deal also marks a return to naming rights for Speedway Motorsports, which hasn't put a corporate label on one of its tracks since Charlotte Motor Speedway became Lowe's Motor Speedway in 1999. That deal, estimated to be worth around $35 million over ten years, ended in 2009 when Lowe's opted not to renew. While NASCAR has seen several tracks rebranded under naming rights—like World Wide Technology Raceway in Illinois, which is still going, Phoenix Raceway which was known as IMS Raceway, which is not going, and California Speedway once known as Auto Club Speedway which is now little more than a collection of buildings, piles of dirt and dreams of a rebirth—SMI has been largely quiet on that front. EchoPark Speedway is their first foray back into the naming game in over a decade. Now, under its new name, the track aims to usher in a fresh chapter for NASCAR in Atlanta—one with faster racing, brighter signage, and perhaps a few more family phone calls about marketing strategy. Tickets, schedules, and camping info for the June 26-28 NASCAR weekend can be found at Just don't ask Siri for directions to Atlanta Motor Speedway. She's still adjusting.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Atlanta Motor Speedway gets a new name
Say goodbye to the Atlanta Motor Speedway and hello to EchoPark Speedway. Gov. Brian Kemp joined officials on Tuesday morning at the iconic track in Hampton to announce the new name. EchoPark Automotive has secured a seven-year, multimillion dollar agreement for the naming rights. Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2's Alison Mastrangelo was there as the new name and branding were unveiled around the speedway. 'We're thrilled to partner with an innovative, customer-focused company like EchoPark Automotive as the entitlement partner of our newly named EchoPark Speedway,' said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. 'This partnership will fuel great experiences for fans attending our speedway for years to come.' After the announcement, NASCAR driver Ross Chastain took Gov. Kemp on a ride around the newly renamed track. Fans will get their first chance to see the new track logo along the track walls and Victory Lane at the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Saturday, June 28. Advertisement EchoPark Automotive specializes in pre-owned vehicle sales and is one of three operating segments of Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company and one of the largest automotive and powersports retailers in the U.S. According to a news release, EchoPark Automotive operates 17 locations in 13 markets, including Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, where a majority of Atlanta NASCAR fans travel from each year to visit the historic speedway. 'We have enjoyed serving guests in the Atlanta metro area since EchoPark Atlanta opened its doors in 2020,' said David B. Smith, Chairman and CEO of Sonic Automotive. 'This partnership allows us to share the value of the exceptional EchoPark car-buying experience with more guests in Atlanta and the surrounding area who enjoy the excitement of NASCAR racing at this iconic venue.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
NBC Sports
14-03-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
How to watch Sunday's Cup race at Las Vegas: Start time, TV info and weather
Christopher Bell will try to continue his historic run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After victories at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Ciricuit of The Americas and Phoenix Raceway, Bell is poised to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 with four consecutive wins. Bell still is seeking his first Cup win at Vegas but has dominated recently at the 1.5-mile track. Last October, he qualified first and led a race-high 155 of 267 laps but finished second. He also finished second from the pole position in the Oct. 15, 2023 race. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is trying to become the first since Bill Elliott in 1992 to win four of the first five races. Bell already is the first to win three consecutive races in the Next Gen era. There have been eight drivers with four consecutive victories in NASCAR's premier series: Cale Yarborough (1976), Darrell Waltrip (1981), Dale Earnhardt Sr. (1987), Harry Gant (1991), Elliott (1992), Mark Martin (1993), Jeff Gordon (1998), and Johnson (2007). Details for Sunday's Cup race at Phoenix Raceway (All times Eastern) START: The race will begin shortly after 3:30 p.m. PRERACE: The Cup garage opens at 12:30 p.m. ... The drivers meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. ... Driver introductions will be at 2:55 p.m. DISTANCE: The race is 267 laps (400.5 miles) on a 1.5-mile oval. STAGES: Stage 1 ends at Lap 80. Stage 2 ends at Lap 165. ENTRY LIST: Click here for the 36 cars entered TV/RADIO: FS1 will begin its race broadcast at 3:30 p.m. Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will have radio coverage. FORECAST: WeatherUnderground — A mix of clouds and sunshine with a high of 72 degrees and 10-15 mph winds. It's expected to be 62 degrees with a 0% chance of rain at the start of the Cup race. LAST YEAR: Kyle Larson led a race-high 181 laps and held off a late charge by runner-up Tyler Reddic.
