This week, the NASCAR world will be in full swing at the 96th annual running of the Atlanta Motor Speedway. One of NASCAR’s most historic venues will be filled with the sights and sounds of the motorsport world as we know it. As expected, the 2019 season will be a bit slow starting for NASCAR, and with a bit of a pause in the action as we adjust to the new realities of life beyond the safety of a speedway. Still, for diehard racing fans, this will be their ultimate dream season. Let’s take a look at what’s going on this week and weekend at the legendary speedway!
Friday, February 8: Pre-Race Activities
As the name would suggest, Friday is going to be relatively quiet in terms of motorsport action. There are a few car shows and social gatherings scheduled for the day, but nothing particularly special. It’s going to be a long day ahead for those who are traveling from out of state to see the action, as they’ll have to wait until later in the day to see any racing. The real excitement is set to begin at 7:00 p.m., when Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars take to the track for the traditional Friday night qualifying races. The first race will be the Bass Pro Shops Budweiser Made in America, followed by the Food Lion South Carolina 500. At least one driver will qualify for the NOS Energy Drink 500, which will be contested on Saturday. All in all, not a bad way to start the week, with some practice and then a few quick races to get the adrenaline flowing.
Saturday, February 9: Five Championship Races
On an ordinary Saturday, there are always a lot going on at the speedway. It’s not just that it’s a racing weekend – it’s a big event that brings in people from all over the region and beyond. The fact that it’s the last full weekend before the NASCAR season closes is undoubtedly going to make this particular edition of the speedway one of the most anticipated tournaments of the season. With that in mind, here are the tickets you need to buy if you want to be there:
1. The Budweiser Made in America: Qualifying
The Budweiser Made in America is the first race of the day, and it will get the field of competitors ready for the big event later in the afternoon. This year’s edition will be contested over 500 miles from coast to coast, making it the longest running sports car race in history. It’s probably also the most important, as it sets the stage for the rest of the day and determines the shape of the competition. Like most NASCAR races, the Budweiser Made in America will be limited to the top 35 competitors, so make sure you get your tickets in advance if you’re planning on attending. The early bird specials expire at the end of February, so act fast if you want to get in on the action.
2. The NOS Energy Drink 500 (First Division): Qualifying & Practice
Practice for the NOS Energy Drink 500 is split into two sessions, with the first one beginning at 12:00 noon and the second one beginning at 7:30 p.m. Like the Budweiser Made in America, the NOS Energy Drink 500 is also a 500-mile race held in commemoration of the sponsor’s 50th anniversary. It’s one of the big preseason events of the season, and the practice sessions provide the perfect opportunity for teams to work on their cars and drivers to get ready for the big race. Although the NOS Energy Drink 500 doesn’t count for points, it’s always a popular event with fans and media members alike. Make sure you get your tickets for this one as well, as it’s going to be a barn burner!
3. The Food Lion South Carolina 500 (First Division): Qualifying & Practice
Practice for the Food Lion South Carolina 500 is also split into two sessions, with the first one beginning at 12:00 noon and the second one beginning at 7:30 p.m. Like the previous two events, this year’s edition of the Food Lion South Carolina 500 is also a 500-mile race held in commemoration of the sponsor’s 50th anniversary. However, unlike the NOS Energy Drink 500, this one doesn’t bring in nearly as many spectators as the Budweiser Made in America. Still, it’s always a fun race to watch, and if you’re in South Carolina and have a chance to go, by all means take it. Just make sure you get your tickets in advance, as there are likely to be a lot of people looking to buy them as well.
4. The NOS Energy Drink 200 (Second Division): Qualifying & Practice
Like the previous two events, the NOS Energy Drink 200 is another 500-mile race held in commemoration of the sponsor’s 50th anniversary. However, it’s also one of the more popular events of the season, as teams will be looking to make up ground on the competition after a poor 2018 season. Like the other two races on this list, this one also doesn’t count for points, so unless you’re looking for a title, don’t get too excited. Still, it’s an excellent opportunity for teams and drivers to get back on the track after the winter break. Make sure you get your tickets for this one as well, as it’s going to be a fun race to watch.
5. The Budweiser DuPont Plant 220 (Second Division): Qualifying & Practice
The Budweiser DuPont Plant 220 is the final race on the Saturday schedule, and it will be contested over 500 miles from Jacksonville, North Carolina, to Atlanta. Like the other four events, this one also doesn’t count for points, but it’s always a good final race before the points and license-plate races in the middle of April. Like the previous four events, this one is also 500 miles long, so if you’ve ever driven on the road between those two cities, you know what a pain in the ass it can be. Make sure you get your tickets for this one as well, as it’s going to be a brutal race.
Sunday, February 10: Grand Final / Awards
The day of rest in the NASCAR world, and a relatively quiet one at that. Some teams and drivers will be heading to the track for some final practice sessions before the big day, while others are going to be resting or attending church. The big event will be held on Sunday, with the awards ceremony taking place at 7:00 p.m. Make sure you get your tickets for this one as well, as it will be a night to remember. The tickets for the other four events on this list are already sold out, so if you want to see the competition at its best, you need to get your tickets for the last race soon.
As you can see, there are a lot of exciting events going on at the 96th annual running of the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Still, it’s a shame that the majority of the events are going to be closed to the public. Hopefully, NASCAR will restore some of the classic races that were so popular back in the day, and give fans an opportunity to see them live and in person. In the meantime, make sure you’ve got your tickets for all the exciting races, as there will be plenty of opportunity to celebrate as the season comes to an end.