In the summer of 2021, NASCAR fans watched with mixed emotions as Atlanta Motor Speedway announced its dramatic transformation from a beloved, worn-out intermediate track to a high-banked superspeedway-style configuration. That July announcement marked the end of an era for a surface that had aged gracefully for nearly 60 years, creating some of the most memorable races in the sport’s recent history. Now, rumors are swirling through the NASCAR community that another popular track might be next in line for what fans have dubbed the “Atlanta treatment,” leaving enthusiasts simultaneously curious and concerned about which venue could be transformed next.
The “Atlanta treatment” isn’t just a simple repave—it’s a complete reconfiguration. When Atlanta underwent its transformation following the July 2021 Quaker State 400, SMI increased the banking in the turns from 24 to 28 degrees while narrowing the racing surface from 55 to 40 feet wide. As Speedway Motorsports President Marcus Smith described it at the time, “With high banks in the turns, narrower width and new pavement technology, Atlanta will be unlike any other mile-and-a-half track on the circuit.” This dramatic overhaul was designed specifically to create pack racing conditions and tighter competition with NASCAR’s Next-Gen car.
These changes weren’t universally celebrated, however. Many drivers expressed frustration with the decision, feeling they weren’t properly consulted. “I wish they would kind of talk to everybody about it. I think a lot of us drivers were kind of caught off-guard,” said Kyle Larson when the changes were announced. Christopher Bell was even more direct, telling CBS Sports he wasn’t “optimistic that it will get back to where it is now,” calling the pre-renovation Atlanta surface “in its prime” and noting the racing there was “very unique with the age of the surface.”
With the Gen 7 car, there was no clarity on what pack racing would be like on a mile-and-a-half surface. But the motive behind this repave was to create another track like Daytona and Talladega. So, technically, the Cup Series now had three superspeedway races as cars had 7-inch rear spoilers and engines capped at 510 horsepower. The aging asphalt that Dale Earnhardt conquered nine times became a living, breathing character in NASCAR lore. Its weathered surface, last paved in 1997, created a unique racing canvas where drivers fought their cars as much as each other, sliding through turns and hunting for grip across multiple lanes as tires wore down to the cords.
Hearing a popular intermediate track that consistently puts on good racing (and finishes) is getting the Atlanta treatment soon
— postman wookie wants to film your car (@WookieDrives) April 12, 2025
The 2021 reconfiguration didn’t just replace asphalt; it erased a piece of NASCAR’s soul. While the new 28-degree banking and narrower racing surface may produce the pack racing that television broadcasts crave, something intangible was lost when the bulldozers arrived after that final race in July 2021. Gone were the bumps and cracks that told stories of past battles, the worn-out grooves that rewarded driver skill and patience.
And now that there are rumors about another mile-and-a-half track rumored to undergo Atlanta treatment, fans were worried about their favorite tracks. From Kansas Speedway to Homestead Miami Speedway, these were some of the venues that fans hinted that might take the fall next.
Fans Sound Off on NASCAR’s Next Potential Reconfiguration
The most frequent speculation centers on Chicagoland Speedway. “My thought was Chicagoland. It’s popular, went out with a couple of banger finishes, and the surface is 25 years old,” noted one fan, highlighting the similar circumstances to Atlanta. The Joliet, Illinois, track, which hasn’t hosted a Cup Series race since 2019, delivered memorable finishes, including the 2018 Kyle Larson/Kyle Busch battle and the 2019 Alex Bowman breakthrough win. With its 1.5-mile layout and aging surface, Chicagoland shares many characteristics with pre-renovation Atlanta, making it a logical candidate for similar treatment if NASCAR were to return there.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway has emerged as another potential target in fan discussions. “I’m probably off base but I would guess Vegas for no other reason than it being Las Vegas. Superspeedway races are dice rolls. Nothing fits better than having such a race at Las Vegas,” one fan reasoned. Now, it is hard to imagine Las Vegas Motor Speedway being turned into a superspeedway track, but given that both Atlanta and Vegas tracks are owned by SMI, this far-fetched thought could be well within NASCAR’s reach.
Perhaps the most credible rumor involves Kansas Speedway. “I think it’s Kansas. On Door Bumper Clear earlier this year, I believe it was Tommy Baldwin who made a comment about hearing they might give Kansas the Atlanta treatment,” shared one fan, pointing to insider information from the popular NASCAR podcast. This speculation carries particular weight given Baldwin’s connections within the industry. Kansas, which opened in 2001, has consistently produced competitive racing on its 1.5-mile configuration, leading the same fan to add, “Which I hope they don’t—that track has always raced good for a mile and a half.”
Meanwhile, there were a few who threatened to boycott NASCAR races if they lost out on another intermediate track. “I swear to goodness I will block the tunnel and not allow it. They go through with it, and I will drop my season tickets so fast.” In the Gen 7 era, the mile-and-a-half tracks have produced the best racing experience. We had Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin trade blows at Texas, and we had a blockbuster finish at Homestead, where Tyler Reddick pulled off last-lap heroics to seal his spot in the championship race. So, you see, fans have enough reasons to be concerned about another intermediate track being turned into a speedway.
“I don’t want to go and see a game of luck/survival determine the winner,” another fan continued. You see, Superspeedway racing isn’t the same anymore. With aero-heavy design on the Gen 7 car, the field is forced to run half throttle, and this, in turn, has led to the invention of fuel-saving races. The only time we see drivers go all out is at the end of stages or the finish and race finish, which leads to big ones and lucky wins. We have seen the likes of Austin Cindric and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. clinch the Daytona 500 races, and fans do not want to see more lucky winners with another speedway track.
The good news is that neither NASCAR nor SMI has officially shared an update about this rumor. Until then, these speculations should be taken with a grain of salt.
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