Atlanta Attendance

[HardScrabble]

Everyone knows that NASCAR never releases figures on attendance for any of its races. We might hear Sell-out words or such but not in my remebrance any concrete numbers.

Some mention was on the boards her Sunday about the poor crowd numbers at the Atlanta race Sunday. I recall reading someone wrote 100,000 of the 125, 000 seating capacity, don't know where those numbers came from. For that matter I don't know where these came from either in light of the opening comment. Still the Augusta Chronicle is reporting good attendance for Sunday's race.

HAMPTON, Ga. -- The fans have spoken at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and their collective voices -- all 125,000 of them -- were unanimous Sunday: Don't take either of the race track's two NASCAR Winston Cup Series dates.
The attendance for the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 was the biggest for a springtime race at the 1.54-mile facility. It also gave the speedway and its parent company, Speedway Motorsports Inc., the necessary proof that racing belongs in Atlanta twice a year.

 

[paul]

I'd be curious to hear what an independant source has to say. That little blurb sounds like nothing more than hoping they don't lose a race...which they probably won't (it's a great track). NASCAR just needs to get a better product.

 

[TN-Ward-Fan]

I agree (partially). That story reeks of PR.

 

[DeeDee]

I thought Atlanta seated more than 125,000?

 

[HardScrabble]

Atlanta's seating capacity is listed at 124, 000, and this number was mentioned in several writings I saw regarding the track.

Maybe PR, I have no idea. Everything I have read seems to agree that the crowd was good except for those folks who saw a lot of empty seats on TV. Of course any numbers are coming from folks at the speedway, who else would have the faintest idea?

A couple of friends from down that way were at the race and their observation was that there were lots of folks at the track. One group of buddies who camp there every year said the camping area they use was fuller than it ever had been. For whatever that's worth.

Seems to be the consensus I'm hearing and reading is that Atlanta will not lose a date.