New Tradition in Atlanta
In 2009, tradition should be restored to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule on Labor Day weekend.

Now that Darlington Raceway has found a great new home on Mother’s Day weekend, that opens the door to one other historic track on the slate to once again have a marquee race date.

That track is Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Atlanta has held two race dates in March and October since 2002 when Homestead-Miami Speedway was shifted to the final race on the schedule. From 1987-2000, Atlanta held the distinction of hosting the final race on the schedule. In that span, the sport saw some of the greatest points finishes, including in 1992 when Alan Kulwicki won by a mere 10 points.

Since losing that finale date, a move to Labor Day could bring back a tradition in Atlanta, and in the sport, with the return of a 500-mile event in the south on the holiday weekend.

Atlanta will probably have to forgo their Chase date to replace Auto Club Speedway on Labor Day. Such a move would probably turn out to be a win-win situation for both facilities.

Attendance at both tracks has been down, and coupled with the weather - hot in California and cold in Atlanta - both tracks would now be suited with better dates.

The move to Labor Day would also mean that Atlanta could host its first official night race. In 1998 the series ran under the lights after a rain delay and again in 2006 after the start time was pushed back. Currently, the qualifying sessions are held on Friday night.

In order to keep the Chase schedule from having three consecutive races out west, Auto Club Speedway would replace Talladega in early October with the Talladega date moving in place of Atlanta.

The switch would also benefit the teams battling for Chase positions as the races in that time span would be more centralized to the race shops in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

Since 1960, Atlanta has seen its share of winners and champions, but come next season could we see the first winner at Atlanta on Labor Day weekend?

Stayed tuned to find out if a new tradition will begin.
Posted: 8/15/2008 12:57:32 AM
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