EchoPark Speedway
- Lloyd Brown
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
EchoPark Speedway
1500 Tara Place
Hampton, GA 30228
Year Opened: 1960
Capacity: 71,000
Real Racing… Real Fast
EchoPark Speedway opened in 1960 as the Atlanta International Raceway. In 1990 it became Atlanta Motor Speedway and finally rebranded as EchoPark Speedway in June of 2025.
The 850-acre facility features a 1.54 oval track, with a seating capacity of 71,000. The facility hosts two major NASCAR Cup Series races each season, the Quaker State 400 in July and the Autotrader 400 in October. It also hosts a wide variety of other races throughout the year.
Food & Beverage 4
Fans are allowed to tailgate in the parking area, if you stay within the area of your parking space.
Once inside the speedway, fans have a wide option of food and beverages to choose from. There are stands representing Papa John’s Pizza, Bojangles, Sonny’s BBQ, Jim N’ Nick’s BBQ, Moe’s Southwestern Grill and many race-themed stands with names like the Turn One Grill, the Infield Grill and the Pole Position Club. As you would expect of an Atlanta-area venue, Coca Cola is the official soft drink of EchoPark Speedway. A wide variety of beers and wines are also available throughout the track.
Fans are allowed to bring in soft sided coolers up to 14X14X14 to the venue. No glass bottles are allowed in the coolers
Atmosphere 4
The atmosphere on race days can best be compared to the county fair. It is an event that race fans look forward to each year. Families hold mini reunions with friends and other family members at the track. Like college football, fans are proud to wear the racing colors of their favorite driver.
There are bands playing and a wide variety of games and giveaways taking place in the Fan Zone.
A popular pre-race option at EchoPark Speedway is the pre-race Track Pass. This pass allows you to sign your name on the start/finish line on the track, check out Victory Lane and provides you with stage-front access for the driver introductions. These passes cost $91.12 on top of the cost of your admission to the speedway.
Neighborhood 3
On race days, EchoPark Speedway literally becomes its own neighborhood. It spread out over 850 acres, and includes shopping options, bars and restaurants, an entertainment area, camping facilities and even residential condominiums.
For those who need overnight accommodation, but do not want to use the camping option, the nearest hotels are the Home 2 Suites by Hilton-Griffin or the Holiday Inn Express-Griffin. There are several hotels, restaurants and a Tanger Outlet Mall located at the I-75 Exit # 218. These hotels include the Hampton Inn Locust Grove and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites-Locust Grove.
Fans 4
Atlanta is one of the favorite stops along the NASCAR season due to the long and storied history of the track. It also offers easy access via multiple interstate highways, as well as flight connections from anywhere in the country through Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson.
Fans arrive hours before the race to enjoy the activities in the Fan Zone. The Fan Zone is located just outside of Gate 13, and it offers musical entertainment, exhibits from NASCAR sponsors, food booths, souvenir stands and fan photo opportunities.
Access 4
EchoPark Speedway is in Hampton, Ga, a small town located 30 miles south of Atlanta via either Hwy 19/41 or I-75.
Directions from I-75 North or South: Take Exit 218 onto Highway 20 West. Go 10 miles to the entrance of the speedway, which is located just west of the Highway 19/41intersection. You will then be directed to the appropriate parking lot by speedway south.
You can also reach the speedway by traveling south from the Atlanta area on Highway 19/41 via Exit # 235 (Tara Boulevard). We advise you against using this route, as you will encounter heavy traffic and dozens of red lights before you reach the track.
There are 10 major gates into the speedway stands. Be sure to check your tickets for the gate located closest to your seats in the grandstand. Each grandstand features the name of a NASCAR icon, including Petty, Earnhardt and Johnson.
You are allowed to exit and re-enter the speedway during the race. However, you must rescan your ticket on the way out of the speedway, then have rescanned again to be readmitted.
Once you park your car, free trams and shuttles will transport you to the gates of the speedway.
Return on Investment 3
The cost of attending the Quaker State 400 is comparable to most of the other NASCAR Cup Series around the country. The standard admission for adults is $64.15, while children aged 12 and under get in for $11.25.
Premium seating along the start/finish line and pit row are priced at $96.75. Another premium seating level is in the second level of the Earnhardt Stands, which provides you with an overview of the entire 1.5-mile oval, and costs $106.90 - $127.15.
Camping spots in the track’s infield cost $105 per night.
Parking is free in the grass parking lots outside of the speedway gates.
EchoPark Speedway operates on a cashless basis. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the speedway at no cost.
Extras 5
In 1992, Atlanta Motor Speedway hosted both Richard Petty’s last NASCAR race and Jeff Gordon’s first NASCAR race.
EchoPark Speedway rents out scanners that allow you to hear the actual communications between the drivers and their pit crews during the race. The cost to rent a scanner is $81.44.
Former Georgia Governor/U.S. President Jimmy Carter worked as a ticket taker at the Speedway in the 1960’s. He never the racing community, as he hosted reunions for track staff at both the Georgia Governor’s Mansion and the White House.
The concourse underneath the stands offers some nice features, including exhibits about past races, and a checkered finish line running through the concourse at the precise location of the finish line on the track.
The speedway has been used on several occasions as a Red Cross evacuation site for families affected by Florida hurricanes.
Final Thoughts
EchoPark Speedway has been one of the most popular NASCAR tracks for nearly 70 years. The facility is constantly adding new features to maintain its position as a favorite stop for NASCAR fans on their racing calendars.
