AMS announces repave

ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY TO REPAVE IN 2017
SiriusXM NASCAR Radio·Tuesday, January 3, 2017

HAMPTON, Ga. (Jan. 3, 2017) – Twenty years after it was last resurfaced, Atlanta Motor Speedway’s historic racing surface is scheduled to be repaved this spring, following the March 3-5 NASCAR Weekend triple-header. Work is scheduled to begin in late March with an expected completion in mid-April.

The current asphalt at AMS is the second-oldest racing surface on the entire NASCAR Cup Series circuit, and officials credit its longevity to a combination of the mild Georgia winters and a meticulous maintenance program over its entire two-decade lifetime.

Since its last repave in 1997, the track has hosted 31 premier NASCAR series races, 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series races, 15 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races, eight ARCA Racing Series races, four IndyCar Series races and countless U.S. Legends and Bandolero car races on its quarter-mile “Thunder Ring.”

Despite the wear and tear of aging in recent years, the track has been a favorite of many competitors who have raved about the challenging nature of the track. Its aged surface, slick driving conditions and multiple racing grooves have produced not only exciting races and close finishes for fans in attendance, but a technical challenge for drivers who have battled slick corners, fast straightaways and ample opportunity for passing.

 
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Terrible news. I suppose it had to happen at some point but it sucks nonetheless. That place eats tires like no other. It won't be the same for quite some time.
 
Horrible. I wish they would just patch the track does it really have to be done? I never thought Michigan needed it and the racing there still hasn't gotten to where it was
 
hidesert cowboy said:
Horrible. I wish they would just patch the track does it really have to be done? I never thought Michigan needed it and the racing there still hasn't gotten to where it was
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I'm pretty sure SMI isn't spending however many millions this will cost just because they can't think of anything better to do with the money.
 
Bummer. Inevitable though.... I wish there were a way to make the new paves racier without progressive banking and whatnot.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I'm pretty sure SMI isn't spending however many millions this will cost just because they can't think of anything better to do with the money.
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actually the reason I think they are doing this is because remember years ago during the daytona race when part of the track came up and they actually had to use bondo to fix it? I think nascar is too afraid of that happening again. there was also an incident where jeff gordan hit a chunk of a racetrack. I think they are worried about negative press in regards to something of that nature happening. I for one think its well worth risking it if we get way better racing. I also would support making patch repairs to the race tracks where needed. that way it gives the track character and something changing the drivers would have to deal with. They are redoing kentucky too, the nice thing there was there was so many bumps to the track that the teams where unable to set the cars up glued to the race track because it was just so bumpy, that made the racing alot better.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
... They are redoing kentucky too, the nice thing there was there was so many bumps to the track that the teams where unable to set the cars up glued to the race track because it was just so bumpy, that made the racing alot better.
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Uh, you're aware they finished the Kentucky repave and raced on it last season, right? I recall it was well received.
 
DUN24 said:
Bummer. Inevitable though.... I wish there were a way to make the new paves racier without progressive banking and whatnot.
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Wait for the "Atlanta Motor Speedway to be reconfigured" press release. Complete with progressive banking (quickly becoming my least favorite thing in racing).
 
Reading is fundamental.

from the original story.....

The repaving project calls for a brand-new asphalt surface to be lain over top of the current surface. AMS’s quad-oval layout and 24-degree banking in the turns will remain unchanged.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
This attitude is the sport's problem.


The track will be there, the racing will not be.

Does anyone remember the last time CMS had an interesting race? Because AMS will be the new CMS.
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How so?

Track needs to be taken care of and honestly it's a sign that SWI actually cares about the facility. I dislike repaves as well, but it's something and especially after 20 years needing to be done. Its just something we have to deal with.

It would be bad if they continue to let the track just sit without change.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Reading is fundamental.

from the original story.....

The repaving project calls for a brand-new asphalt surface to be lain over top of the current surface. AMS’s quad-oval layout and 24-degree banking in the turns will remain unchanged.
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Thats what Ed said today on XM 90.
 
Kiante said:
How so?
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Introduction of the chase.
"Well its here now we have to deal with it".

Major changes every other season
"Thats just the way it is"

Cars have turned into an aerodynamic dream & the racing has been beyond dull
"This is what nascar is so we just deal with it"

Just dealing with the sport in decline as the status quo will kill NASCAR.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
Introduction of the chase.
"Well its here now we have to deal with it".

Major changes every other season
"Thats just the way it is"

Cars have turned into an aerodynamic dream & the racing has been beyond dull
"This is what nascar is so we just deal with it"

Just dealing with the sport in decline as the status quo will kill NASCAR.
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Have you found bitching about it to be an effective tool for change?

Seriously, what do you expect track owners to do, leave the surfaces alone until they're coming up in chunks like a South Carolina interstate?
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Have you found bitching about it to be an effective tool for change?

Seriously, what do you expect track owners to do, leave the surfaces alone until they're coming up in chunks like a South Carolina interstate?
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Will you be attending many Atlanta races after March?
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Have you found bitching about it to be an effective tool for change?

Seriously, what do you expect track owners to do, leave the surfaces alone until they're coming up in chunks like a South Carolina interstate?
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Well, here is my take... I have been going to Atlanta every year since the early 90's. I am going again this year. But given the repaving deal, I doubt I will go to the race in 2018. I go for the incredible speed and racing that is currently Atlanta. Granted the speed will still be there in 2018, I don't think the racing will be as intense. Hopefully in a few years mother nature will do her thing and once again I will be going back to my second most favorite track on the schedule.

So, while I don't like what they are doing, I understand what they are doing and I am making a personnel decision given the circumstances.
 
It reads and sounds, from the interview's I heard on SiriusXM, that the paving is long overdue. It's not that they want to do it. They've simply put it off as long as they could. Common sense dictates that it's a necessity.

Put California on the need to be repaved soon list. I think it and Dover are now the oldest surfaces. While it would never happen, when Dover's time comes to resurface, I sure hope they move back to asphalt. I miss the asphalt/bias ply days of Dover. That and the 500 miles. A move back to asphalt even on today's tires would probably be a great thing.
 
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