NASCAR justifies the radical changes to the Atlanta Cup race dates in 2024

The NASCAR Cup Series has orchestrated a radical shake-up for the 2024 season calendar, with Atlanta Motor Speedway thrust into the limelight as the second race after the Daytona 500. NASCAR Senior Vice President Ben Kennedy discussed this move and explained the reasons behind such a significant change. 

The 2024 season commences with the traditional L.A. Memorial Coliseum pre-season exhibition race, a spectacle that’s become a staple in recent years. Next year, the NASCAR Mexico Series joins the fray, adding an international flair. A strategic decision follows with back-to-back drafting tracks, starting with Atlanta, aiming to test drivers early in the championship battle.

Notably absent from the lineup is the Auto Club Speedway, signaling a departure from the traditional roster. The Bristol Dirt Race transforms, shedding its dirt for concrete, while the spring race relocates to Richmond Raceway, departing from its Easter Sunday tradition.

Speaking about the complete upheaval to Fox Sports’ Bob Parkass, Ben Kennedy remarked, “After seeing several races play out at Atlanta, felt like it made sense to move it into that second slot after Daytona.” Kennedy and NASCAR authorities believed “It was a natural fit for us, seeing that we’re not returning to Auto Club next year.”

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Ben Kennedy believes that the 2024 calendar adds diversity to the playoff events

The Texas Motor Speedway undergoes a significant shift, moving from the playoffs to the regular season’s ninth race. North Wilkesboro Speedway retains All-Star Race hosting duties with a freshly repaved surface. Anticipation rises with Iowa Speedway’s debut on June 16th. The Chicago Street Course promises a return for its second iteration on July 7th. NASCAR’s return to the iconic oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway concludes the pre-summer break schedule with the Brickyard 400.

Kennedy mentioned that considerations for the West Coast swing in Vegas and Phoenix, as well as introducing Atlanta to the playoffs, involved multiple factors. The VP of NASCAR, observing the racing experience, noting positive fan sentiment, and aiming to raise variety to the playoff schedule, influenced the decision. They saw it as an opportunity to enhance the on-track action and diversify the playoff events.

The regular season finale transforms, with Darlington now holding the honor on September 1st at 6 pm EST, preceding the playoffs. Speaking on the playoffs’ structure, Kennedy states, “Introducing a drafting-style track like Atlanta to the Round of 16, to follow it up with Watkins Glen and then the Bristol night race is really going to test the variability of our drivers.”

A two-week break during the Olympics precedes the playoffs, building anticipation for a primetime Richmond race on August 11th. The playoffs bring additional drama, with Atlanta and Watkins Glen joining the mix. The championship weekend at Phoenix remains intact, with the Championship 4 finale set for November 10th.

NASCAR 2024 calendar: 

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