![\"Echopark](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0358bd02e24b7fcca21dc03ef26b98a1af3edfc3-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFestivities start Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. with the NASCAR Cup Series Hauler Parade<\/p>\n
\t\t<\/p>\n
HAMPTON, Georgia \u2013 (41NBC\/WMGT) \u2013 NASCAR makes a historic return to Atlanta this weekend, hosting two nights of racing under the lights at the newly rebranded EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway.<\/p>\n
The weekend marks the first event held at the 66-year-old super speedway since entering a multi-year partnership with EchoPark Automotive. The track unveiled a fresh look that included updated signage, and a bold new paint job, that highlights the ongoing evolution of the venue.<\/p>\n
Racing begins Friday night following qualifying rounds, with the Xfinity Series taking center stage in the Focused Health 250 at 7:30 p.m. \u2014 an event that features free admission for all children.<\/p>\n
Saturday brings a milestone moment for NASCAR, as the Quaker State 400 \u2014 available at Walmart \u2014 becomes the first-ever in-season tournament race in Cup Series history, marking another first under the new EchoPark Speedway branding.<\/p>\n
EchoPark Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison shared his enthusiasm ahead of the big weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just excited about all of the news going around the speedway change,\u201d Hutchison said. \u201cWe\u2019re excited about the in-season tournament. We\u2019re excited about our new broadcast partner, and we\u2019re excited about the fact that more fans are going to be at EchoPark Speedway this weekend than have been here in quite some time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFans will quickly see that the entire place has changed. We\u2019ve got an incredibly cool paint job. We\u2019ve got all new signage. We\u2019ve worked real hard to make sure that the place looks as beautiful as it always does, but it\u2019s going to come with a facelift.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hutchison also noted the impact of increased track banking introduced in 2022, calling it a key reason for some of the most exciting racing in NASCAR today.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen cars aren\u2019t on track, we\u2019ll make sure that we have something going on throughout the entire weekend for the fans who choose to join us,\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s important to us to make sure that fans who do choose to come here get as much bang for their buck as they get anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to the in-season tournament, Hutchison explained what fans could expect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono this past weekend, they have seated 32 drivers, so there will be 16 different brackets when they leave here. Sixteen drivers will move on. Sixteen drivers will be done,\u201d he said. \u201cSo fans will have some exciting story lines to watch. It\u2019s got a million bucks on the line, so drivers will do just about anything for that kind of money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hutchison emphasized the importance of fan feedback, citing the \u201cVoice of the Fan\u201d survey conducted before every race, is one reason behind the decision to race at night during the summer.<\/p>\n