Latest news with #EchoParkSpeedway
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR on Amazon Prime, through two races, is mixed bag of good reviews and frustration
The owners of Atlanta Motor Speedway sold the track's naming rights this week and, frankly, you could sense the collective shoulder shrug. EchoPark Speedway? Sure, why not? There was no mere shrug back in 1999 when Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler brought another innovation to NASCAR: The rebranding of their mothership Charlotte Motor Speedway, which would henceforth be known as Lowe's Motor Speedway. Advertisement For a decade, anyway, when the deal ran its course and the Charlotte signs were dusted off and rehung. Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are part of Prime's broadcast team and a big reason reviews are good so far (among those watching). The late-'90s were near the tail-end of a time when the mainstreamers made fun of NASCAR for selling out whenever and wherever the selling was good. Individual races had long ago set a marketing tone that's now commonplace. Even the sport's most vaunted event was briefly known as the Daytona 500 Presented by STP. The Winston Cup and Busch Series brought title sponsorship to entire leagues, while all along, the drivers and their cars were walking and rolling billboards. In certain circles, you still might find a longtime fan who can do an impression of Ward Burton gushing over his Gwaltney Meats Chevrolet. NASCAR, teams, drivers have always sought the highest bidder All of it had been digested by a loyal fan base that seemed to take pride in being so different from the traditional sporting fare. Advertisement Individual racetracks and race teams didn't have the built-in, guaranteed income streams like those in the NFL, MLB, etc., so you eventually get used to seeing the DuPont Chevy win a race at Lowe's on its way to a championship sponsored by RJ Reynolds. With a driver touting Pepsi while wearing his Ray-Bans. But boy oh boy is this different. NASCAR's partnership with Amazon's Prime Video involves just five midseason races within a 36-race season, but it has thrown a definite monkey wrench into the clutch assembly. The reviews of Prime's coverage are solid to great, and the reviewers aren't wrong, by the way. The product is really good. You also hear great things about a 2003 Dom Pėrignon — but good luck finding it, even if you don't mind paying the price. Struggling with the labyrinth of streaming TV offerings isn't a made-up malady. It's a real thing, and quite maddening for folks who are already being nickel-and-dimed to death by phone and cable companies selling us air at ever-increasing prices. Advertisement Let's check the mailbag for a sampling of the above gripe. HEY, WILLIE! I'm really disappointed NASCAR went to 'restriction TV.' I would assume many fans — current and prospective — don't subscribe to Prime or in my case don't want to (mess) around with my TV settings to change to Prime. Do you have any numbers on the viewership of the Prime broadcasts? I didn't think NASCAR was popular enough these days to alienate fans. PATRICK IN MELBOURNE HEY, PATRICK! Kinda-sorta bad news for the angry holdouts. The numbers are OK through two weeks of NASCAR on Prime. According to the Nielsen folks, Prime is averaging between 2-3 million viewers per race, which is right in line with races on Fox's cable arm, FS1. Races on Fox do better. Advertisement If the numbers were in the ditch, meetings would be held. Not sure what they'd produce, but with six more years on the NASCAR-Prime deal, the Smart People would be looking for a Plan B and potential carve-outs. One has already been delivered. Commercial entities with DirecTV (sports bars, mainly) can offer these Prime races on one of their 32 screens each Sunday. So there's an alternative to get you through these next three Sunday afternoons, though a few draft beers aren't the cheap date they once were — or so I'm told. Can Amazon Prime deliver new fans? NASCAR is banking on it As for alienating longtime fans, that probability was surely baked into the decision do business with Amazon. Also, Prime is reportedly paying a little more than a billion bucks for its piece of seven-year deal worth $7.7 billion overall. That can make the baking smell better. Advertisement Also, the modern world doesn't care much about the way you've always done it, and barely cares about how you're doing it right now. Most important is future potential, and the parties are betting that Prime offers the opportunity to attract new viewers and fans that might not otherwise pay attention. Over the decades, there have been plenty of 'new ways of doing things' that angered the stock-car masses. The ditching of traditional Southern tracks. Changing the championship format. Changing it again. And again. Toyota. Stage racin'. Car of Tomorrow. Some changes came and went, some came and stayed. Advertisement But none of them took away your ability to watch on Sunday. In reality, this one hasn't done that, but some (many, probably) perceive it that way. And you know what they say about perception. — Email Ken Willis at This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR and Amazon Prime TV partner to entertain some, alienate others
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
NASCAR Teams 23XI And Front Row Must Qualify On Speed, For Now
The NASCAR charter war took another dramatic turn Thursday as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled in favor of NASCAR, overturning a lower court's decision that temporarily granted 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports the right to compete as chartered teams in 2025. In short: NASCAR wins this round. The two teams that dared to sue the sport they compete in have now lost their guaranteed place in the field—again. According to the ruling, the December 18 decision by a lower court that handed each team three charters for the 2025 season—including one each purchased from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing—has been vacated. That means no automatic starting spots, and no guaranteed slice of NASCAR's multi-billion-dollar media rights pie. Not unless 23XI and Front Row can convince the court to reconsider. The teams have 14 days to petition for a rehearing. Failing that, the judgment becomes final 21 days from now—on June 26, just two days before the Cup Series hits the newly rebranded EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. A symbolic gut punch? Perhaps. But also a logistical nightmare for two multi-car operations with Daytona-sized ambitions and no guaranteed starting spots. This is only the latest twist in a legal saga that started last October when 23XI and Front Row filed a lawsuit against NASCAR, arguing that they were unfairly shut out of charter ownership despite purchasing charters from Stewart-Haas Racing. When the Dec. 18 ruling gave them the green light, it looked like they'd successfully stuck it to the establishment. But NASCAR quickly appealed that ruling, calling it 'fraught with errors, both legally and factually' in a Feb. 12 brief. When oral arguments were heard on May 9, early indications hinted that the appellate judges were skeptical of the teams' position. That skepticism has now translated into a full reversal. NASCAR's charter system, which functions like a franchise model, guarantees certain teams a spot on the starting grid and a share of media revenue. But the current system also hinges on participation in the NASCAR Charter Agreement. When 23XI and Front Row declined to sign the most recent iteration of that agreement, NASCAR took the position that they had forfeited any charter-related benefits—even for charters they claimed to own. The Dec. 18 ruling temporarily rewrote that narrative. Now, the appellate court has rewritten it again. The decision throws another wrench into 2025 plans for both teams. Without charters, their drivers must qualify on speed each week. Sponsorship deals become trickier. And any illusion of stability in the garage has been vaporized by legal fumes. As it stands, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, which expanded aggressively by acquiring SHR assets, now find themselves staring at the same uphill legal road they thought they'd already climbed. It's unclear whether they will file for a rehearing or take the fight all the way to the Supreme Court. What is clear: NASCAR has reclaimed the high ground—for now. And with the next round of Charter Agreements expected to shape the sport's financial future for a decade, the battle lines are only getting deeper.
Forbes
7 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
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Iconic Track Renamed EchoPark Speedway
HAMPTON, Ga., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedway Motorsports and EchoPark Automotive introduced the new identity of Georgia's only NASCAR track today; the iconic, 66-year-old facility in Hampton, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, is now EchoPark Speedway. Through a new partnership, the speedway – which hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races annually, including the upcoming June 28 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart – will carry the EchoPark brand for the duration of a seven-year, multi-million-dollar agreement. Editor's Note: Supporting logos and b-roll available for download here. Specializing in pre-owned vehicle sales, EchoPark Automotive 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 United States. 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. From restart zone signage to fan zone activations and race entitlements, the pre-owned car dealership chain has leveraged resources across nine Speedway Motorsports facilities nationwide to activate its brand and reach race fans and potential new customers. Acquiring the naming rights to one of NASCAR's most iconic tracks is the latest and biggest step in this strategy for EchoPark Automotive. "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." EchoPark Automotive is seen as the number one pre-owned car buying experience, reflected in over 100,000 five-star reviews. Using this iconic sports venue, which is the largest in all of Georgia, will help EchoPark Automotive share the message of the brand to millions locally and nationally through major televised NASCAR events. EchoPark Speedway's entire 850-acre facility has undergone a massive facelift in preparation for its upcoming national debut as the opening race for the TNT portion of the NASCAR broadcast schedule and the kickoff event for the new in-season Cup Series tournament. Fans will see the new EchoPark Speedway's signature green color and the new track logo across track walls, Victory Lane, and throughout the concourse when they attend the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Saturday night, June 28, or tune in nationally at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. The winner of the race will also receive a "nearly new" EchoPark Chevy Silverado and a trailer equipped with an 85th Anniversary, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Limited Edition Harley-Davidson motorcycle. These exclusive motorcycles can be pre-ordered now at but the very first one of only 26 manufactured will go to the winner of the inaugural EchoPark Speedway race. This incredible prize will be presented to the winner in Victory Lane courtesy of EchoPark Automotive. "This is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible vehicles we sell at EchoPark and share the exposure with another important entity in our Sonic Automotive family," said Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive. "The Sturgis Rally is right around the corner, and we know NASCAR fans and drivers will not only love the new presentation of this track, but also the opportunity to see this limited edition Harley-Davidson presented in Victory Lane." "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. "EchoPark Automotive is as committed to exceptional customer service as we are, and we know that together we'll elevate our fan experience to a new level unmatched for Southern hospitality. This partnership will fuel great experiences for fans attending our speedway for years to come." EchoPark Speedway has a storied history in NASCAR, hosting races every year since it opened as Atlanta International Raceway in 1960. The speedway hosted NASCAR's season finale from 1987-2000, including the epic conclusion of the 1992 campaign which saw "The King," Richard Petty, compete in his last NASCAR race; future legend Jeff Gordon make his first NASCAR Cup Series start; and Georgia's own Bill Elliott win the race – narrowly losing the title to underdog owner-driver Alan Kulwicki. Racing enthusiasts have long celebrated EchoPark Speedway's high-speed, close-quarters racing action and exhilaratingly close finishes. Since its reconfiguration to a 28-degree banked, superspeedway-style track in 2021, that reputation has only been further bolstered. Three- and four-wide racing with abundant lead changes have become the norm when NASCAR visits Atlanta. In February 2024, EchoPark Speedway saw the closest three-wide finish in NASCAR history with race winner Daniel Suárez eclipsing Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch by just 0.003 and 0.007 seconds, respectively. Earlier this year, a new record was set for most lead changes at the speedway. This month's Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart is expected to continue that trend of thrilling NASCAR action in Atlanta. EchoPark Speedway will host two NASCAR national touring series during the spectacular June 26-28 summer event. Schedules, tickets, and camping for the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend, can be found online at About Sonic Automotive: Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is on a quest to become the most valuable diversified automotive retail and service brand in America. Our Company culture thrives on creating, innovating, and providing industry-leading guest experiences, driven by strategic investments in technology, teammates, and ideas that ultimately fulfill ownership dreams, enrich lives, and deliver happiness to our guests and teammates. As one of the largest automotive and powersports retailers in America, we are committed to delivering on this goal while pursuing expansive growth and taking progressive measures to be the leader in these categories. Our new platforms, programs, and people are set to drive the next generation of automotive and powersports experiences. More information about Sonic Automotive can be found at and View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Speedway Motorsports
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Iconic Track Renamed EchoPark Speedway
HAMPTON, Ga., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedway Motorsports and EchoPark Automotive introduced the new identity of Georgia's only NASCAR track today; the iconic, 66-year-old facility in Hampton, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, is now EchoPark Speedway. Through a new partnership, the speedway – which hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races annually, including the upcoming June 28 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart – will carry the EchoPark brand for the duration of a seven-year, multi-million-dollar agreement. Editor's Note: Supporting logos and b-roll available for download here. Specializing in pre-owned vehicle sales, EchoPark Automotive 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 United States. 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. From restart zone signage to fan zone activations and race entitlements, the pre-owned car dealership chain has leveraged resources across nine Speedway Motorsports facilities nationwide to activate its brand and reach race fans and potential new customers. Acquiring the naming rights to one of NASCAR's most iconic tracks is the latest and biggest step in this strategy for EchoPark Automotive. "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." EchoPark Automotive is seen as the number one pre-owned car buying experience, reflected in over 100,000 five-star reviews. Using this iconic sports venue, which is the largest in all of Georgia, will help EchoPark Automotive share the message of the brand to millions locally and nationally through major televised NASCAR events. EchoPark Speedway's entire 850-acre facility has undergone a massive facelift in preparation for its upcoming national debut as the opening race for the TNT portion of the NASCAR broadcast schedule and the kickoff event for the new in-season Cup Series tournament. Fans will see the new EchoPark Speedway's signature green color and the new track logo across track walls, Victory Lane, and throughout the concourse when they attend the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Saturday night, June 28, or tune in nationally at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. The winner of the race will also receive a "nearly new" EchoPark Chevy Silverado and a trailer equipped with an 85th Anniversary, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Limited Edition Harley-Davidson motorcycle. These exclusive motorcycles can be pre-ordered now at but the very first one of only 26 manufactured will go to the winner of the inaugural EchoPark Speedway race. This incredible prize will be presented to the winner in Victory Lane courtesy of EchoPark Automotive. "This is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible vehicles we sell at EchoPark and share the exposure with another important entity in our Sonic Automotive family," said Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive. "The Sturgis Rally is right around the corner, and we know NASCAR fans and drivers will not only love the new presentation of this track, but also the opportunity to see this limited edition Harley-Davidson presented in Victory Lane." "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. "EchoPark Automotive is as committed to exceptional customer service as we are, and we know that together we'll elevate our fan experience to a new level unmatched for Southern hospitality. This partnership will fuel great experiences for fans attending our speedway for years to come." EchoPark Speedway has a storied history in NASCAR, hosting races every year since it opened as Atlanta International Raceway in 1960. The speedway hosted NASCAR's season finale from 1987-2000, including the epic conclusion of the 1992 campaign which saw "The King," Richard Petty, compete in his last NASCAR race; future legend Jeff Gordon make his first NASCAR Cup Series start; and Georgia's own Bill Elliott win the race – narrowly losing the title to underdog owner-driver Alan Kulwicki. Racing enthusiasts have long celebrated EchoPark Speedway's high-speed, close-quarters racing action and exhilaratingly close finishes. Since its reconfiguration to a 28-degree banked, superspeedway-style track in 2021, that reputation has only been further bolstered. Three- and four-wide racing with abundant lead changes have become the norm when NASCAR visits Atlanta. In February 2024, EchoPark Speedway saw the closest three-wide finish in NASCAR history with race winner Daniel Suárez eclipsing Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch by just 0.003 and 0.007 seconds, respectively. Earlier this year, a new record was set for most lead changes at the speedway. This month's Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart is expected to continue that trend of thrilling NASCAR action in Atlanta. EchoPark Speedway will host two NASCAR national touring series during the spectacular June 26-28 summer event. Schedules, tickets, and camping for the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend, can be found online at About Sonic Automotive: Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is on a quest to become the most valuable diversified automotive retail and service brand in America. Our Company culture thrives on creating, innovating, and providing industry-leading guest experiences, driven by strategic investments in technology, teammates, and ideas that ultimately fulfill ownership dreams, enrich lives, and deliver happiness to our guests and teammates. As one of the largest automotive and powersports retailers in America, we are committed to delivering on this goal while pursuing expansive growth and taking progressive measures to be the leader in these categories. Our new platforms, programs, and people are set to drive the next generation of automotive and powersports experiences. More information about Sonic Automotive can be found at and View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Speedway Motorsports Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
