NASCAR Cup Series
Next Race: Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart
The Place: EchoPark Speedway
Track Length: 1.54 Mile Asphalt Paved Oval
The Date: Saturday, June 28
The Time: 7 p.m. ET
The Purse: $11,055,250
TV: TNT, 6:30 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 400.4 miles (260 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 60),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 160), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 260)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Next Race: Focused Health 250
The Place: EchoPark Speedway
Track Length: 1.54 Mile Asphalt Paved Oval
The Date: Friday, June 27
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Purse: $1,651,939
TV: CW, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 251.02 miles (163 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 163)
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Next Race: Liuna 150
The Place: Lime Rock Park
Track Length: 1.478 Mile Asphalt Paved Road Course
The Date: Saturday, June 28
The Time: 1p.m. ET
The Purse: $782,900
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET
Radio: NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 147.8 miles (100 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 35),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 70), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 100)
Where To Watch NASCAR This Weekend:
Friday, June 27
NCTS Final Practice (FS2 at 1 p.m. ET)
NXS Kennametal Pole Qualifying (CW App at 3 p.m. ET)
NCS Busch Light Pole Qualifying (truTV, PRN, SiriusXM at 5 p.m. ET)
NXS Race: Focused Health 250(CW, PRN, SiriusXM at 7:30 ET)
Saturday, June 21
NCTS Kennametal Pole Qualifying (FS1 at 9:30 a.m. ET)
NCTS Race: Liuna 150 (FOX, NRN, SiriusXM at 1 p.m. ET)
ARCA Race: Lime Rock Park 100 (FS2, MRN, SiriusXM at 4 p.m. ET)
NCS Race: Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart (TNT, truTV, HBO Max, PRN, SiriusXM at 7 p.m. ET)
NASCAR Cup Series
Atlanta Storylines and Insights:
· Just nine NASCAR Cup Series regular season races remain before the Playoffs.
· This weekend marks the 123rd running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway (1960-2025), and the seventh Atlanta race on the new surface and configuration.
· Atlanta held two races a year from 1960-2010 except for 1961 when three races were held. Atlanta held one race a year from 2011-2020, then starting in 2021 it once again hosted two races a year.
· Beginning in 2023, both Atlanta races were shortened to 400 miles.
· In four of the last six Atlanta races, the final stage had five or more cautions including the last three races.
· The driver who led the most laps won the first three races at Atlanta in the drafting track configuration, yet in the last four races has not finished better than 10th.
· Christopher Bell led only the final lap in his win at Atlanta in February, the fewest for an Atlanta winner since September 1961 (David Pearson).
· The race winner didn’t lead for the first time until Lap 167 or later in each of the last four Atlanta races.
· The seven races on the new track configuration had a combined 65 cautions (average of 9.2 per race), the seven races prior to the change had a combined 33 cautions.
· The final green flag stretch was five laps or less in five of the last six Atlanta races.
· Four of the seven races at the new Atlanta ended under caution.
· The pass for the win came in the final two laps in five of the last six races at Atlanta, and on the final lap in three of the last five races.
· Ford has won the pole for all five races on the drafting track configuration at Atlanta.
· Ford won nine of the last 10 stages at Atlanta.
· Ryan Blaney finished in the top-10 in the last six Atlanta races, the longest active streak at the track and his longest active streak at a single track.
· Kyle Busch finished top-10 in all five races at Atlanta with Richard Childress Racing, his most at a track since moving to the #8 car.
· Kyle Larson failed to finish five of the seven races at Atlanta due to accidents.
· A total of 50 different drivers have won at Atlanta in the NCS. This weekend, nine of the 50 EchoPark Speedway race winners are entered in the event.
| Active Atlanta Race Winners | Wins | Seasons |
| Joey Logano | 2 | 2024, 2023 |
| William Byron | 2 | 2023, 2022 |
| Brad Keselowski | 2 | 2019, 2017 |
| Kyle Busch | 2 | 2013, 2008 |
| Christopher Bell | 1 | 2025 |
| Daniel Suárez | 1 | 2024 |
| Chase Elliott | 1 | 2022 |
| Ryan Blaney | 1 | 2021 |
| Denny Hamlin | 1 | 2012 |
· Kyle Larson’s average finish of 26.0 at Atlanta is his worst among all tracks with multiple starts in the Next Gen era.
· William Byron (two) and Joey Logano (two) are the only repeat winners in the seven drafting track configuration races at Atlanta.
· Since 2023, Team Penske led 1,060 laps on drafting tracks – more than three times the laps led by any other team.
· Hendrick Motorsports leads all teams with six wins on drafting tracks in the Nex Gen era.
· Team Penske is the only team with three different drivers to win a drafting track race in the Next Gen era.
· With Austin Cindric’s win at Talladega, Team Penske has won at least once on a drafting track in 12 straight seasons (2014-2025).
· Each of the last three races on drafting tracks ended with a last lap pass, tied for the longest ever streak of last lap passes on drafting tracks.
· Three of Kyle Larson’s four top-five finishes on drafting tracks came in the last four races.
· Front Row Motorsports won the pole for six of the last eight races on drafting tracks, Michael McDowell won the pole for five of them.
· Denny Hamlin’s six top-two finishes in 2025 are tied for his most through 17 races with 2020.
· Denny Hamlin ranks third in regular season points despite missing a race.
· Chase Elliott finished top-five in the last two races, his longest streak of top-fives in 2025.
· Joey Logano will make his 450th career Cup start with Team Penske at Atlanta joining Rusty Wallace as the only two drivers to reach this milestone with the organization (Logano lived in the condos at Atlanta when he was younger).
· Three drivers have won on their 450th Cup start: Kyle Busch (Bristol, 2017), Jimmie Johnson (Michigan, 2014) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Michigan, 2012).
· Tyler Reddick will make his 200th career Cup Series start this weekend, four drivers won in their 200th start, most recently Kevin Harvick at Watkins Glen in 2006
· Ryan Preece is the first driver out of the Playoffs on points at 20 point points back, Ryan Newman is the only driver to point into the Playoffs in the final nine races during the stage era from more than three points back (he was 20 points back in 2019 following race #17 while also driving for Roush).
· Chris Buescher finished top-10 in the last three races, his longest Cup top-10 streak is four races.
· This season has produced 412 total lead changes at Start/Finish line – The sixth-most through the first 17 races of a season in the modern era (1972-2025); record is 439 in 2011.
· 12 different Cup Series pole winners in 2025 – tied with 1997, 2010, 2011 and 2012 for the series-most in the modern era (1972-2025).
· 11 different Cup Series winners in 2025 – tied for the third-most in the modern era (1972-2025), the record is 14 different winners through the first 17 races, set in 2003.
Understanding the In-Season Challenge:
· The top 32 in driver points following Nashville are eligible (Shane van Gisbergen, Cole Custer, Riley Herbst and Cody Ware failed to qualify among full-time drivers)
· Three races (Michigan, Mexico City, Pocono) established the seeding for the challenge based on the best driver finishing positions over those races. Tiebreakers were decided by the second-best finish and then the third-best finish among those races.
· The first of five races for the In-Season Challenge is Atlanta, with drivers competing in a bracket-style tournament until the final two drivers face off in the finale at Indianapolis with the best-finishing driver winning $1 million.
· Plus, the NASCAR Fantasy game puts fans in control of projecting the winners in each round. Complete a perfect bracket and win $1 million – just like the winning driver of the In-Season Challenge. Additional prizes will be awarded to top performers.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Atlanta Storylines and Insights:
· This weekend marks the 39th running of a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at EchoPark Speedway, and the eighth at Atlanta since the track was reconfigured to drafting track in 2022.
· EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) will be the fourth of six drafting track races in the Xfinity Series in 2025.
· Atlanta is the first of seven tracks that the Xfinity Series will revisit in 2025.
· Connor Zilisch won on an oval for the first time at Pocono and has four straight top fives since missing Texas due to back injury.
· JR Motorsports won eight races this season with five different drivers, tied for most different drivers in a season all-time: Justin Allgaier (3), Connor Zilisch (2), Sammy Smith (1), Kyle Larson (), and Daniel Suarez (1).
· JR Motorsports is four wins away from 100, only three other teams won at least 100 NASCAR Xfinity Series races (Joe Gibbs Racing-217, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing-138, Richard Childress Racing-100).
· Five crew chiefs got their first NXS win in 2025: Chad Haney at Atlanta, Sam McAulay at Darlington, Adam Wall at Bristol, Cory Shea at Mexico City & Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Pocono.
· JR Motorsports #88 won three races with three different driver/crew chief combos this season.
· There are 10 races left in the regular season and six Playoff spots remain open.
· Taylor Gray and Harrison Burton are separated by 11 points at the Playoff cut line.
· The drivers from 8th-14th are separated by 57 points, less than one race.
· The four drivers behind Harrison Burton in the NXS driver standings are all rookies.
· Sheldon Creed lost 22 points to the cut line after finishing 36th at Pocono, now sits +20.
· Austin Hill won the last three Atlanta races and five of the last six.
· Austin Hill is tied with Kevin Harvick for most Atlanta wins all-time, Harvick won five prior to reconfiguration, Hill won five since reconfiguration.
· Austin Hill is the all-time drafting track leader in wins (9), stage wins (14) and laps led (754).
· Only two drivers on entry list have previously won at Atlanta since the reconfiguration: Austin Hill – five NXS wins, Christian Eckes – one NCTS win.
· Austin Hill is the only driver to win on all three drafting tracks in the Xfinity Series.
· Justin Allgaier won at Atlanta in 2021, prior to reconfiguration.
· Jesse Love won three straight poles at Atlanta and four straight poles on drafting tracks.
· Jesse Love’s six drafting track poles rank second to Joe Nemechek with 10.
· Sammy Smith has four straight top 10s at Atlanta, the longest active streak.
· Harrison Burton is the only driver to finish inside the top-10 in all three drafting track races this season.
· Four of seven Atlanta races since reconfiguration featured a pass for the win in final three laps.
· Three of seven Atlanta races since reconfiguration went to overtime.
· Eight drivers in the field made their first and only career Atlanta start in February.
· Five drivers in the field are from Georgia: Brandon Jones, Austin Hill, Kyle Sieg, Ryan Sieg & Mason Massey.
· Richard Childress Racing won all three drafting track races this season and swept all six stages.
· Richard Childress Racing led 315 laps on drafting tracks this season (78%), the next closest team led 24.
· Richard Childress Racing won 11 of last 20 races on drafting tracks, all since Austin Hill joined team in 2022.
· Richard Childress Racing won seven of the last nine drafting track races (Austin Hill-5, Jesse Love 2).
· Three of last four drafting track races featured last-lap passes for the win.
· Justin Allgaier’s 28 career wins are 9th on the all-time wins list and one away from tying Matt Kenseth.
· Justin Allgaier is seven top 10s away from 300 in his career, he would be the first driver with 300 top 10s.
· Justin Allgaier leads all drivers with 10 top-five finishes and 648 laps led in 2025.
· Justin Allgaier’s 10 top-five finishes in 2025 are his most ever after 16 races in a season.
· Justin Allgaier won the Fastest Lap Award five times this season, no other driver has more than two.
· Sam Mayer is the only driver to finish top-15 in 13 of 16 races this season.
· Five races this year ended with a last lap pass.
· Four of the last six races this season had a pass for the win in the final five laps.
· Seven of the 16 races this season have gone to overtime.
· Chevrolet led 2,197 of 2,801 laps this season.
· Chevrolet won 14 of 16 races, the most all time by a manufacturer through 16 races in series history.
· 2025 is the first season since 2003 without a first-time winner in the first 16 races.
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Lime Rock Storylines and Insights:
· Seven of 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff positions are now held by race winners with four races to go in the regular season.
· This weekend marks the first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Lime Rock Park, and the first held in the state of Connecticut.
· Stages for Lime Rock: Lap 35, Lap 70, Lap 100.
· Lime Rock is the first new-to-Trucks track to be added to the schedule since 2022 (Mid-Ohio).
· Lime Rock is the first Truck series race to be held in the state of Connecticut and the fourth by a NASCAR national series.
· Including Lime Rock, the last eight new tracks to the Truck series were either Road Courses (5) or dirt tracks (3).
· Lime Rock is the first of three road course races this season, with two of those races falling before the end of the regular season.
· Drivers who led the most laps won eight of the last 11 Truck road course races, including each of the last five.
· Six drivers are set to make their truck debut at Lime Rock, the most in a single race since Knoxville 2021.
· The last six races of 2025 were won by different drivers tying the longest streak of the season.
· The driver who led the most laps won seven races in 2025 but hasn’t finished inside the top-10 in the last two.
· Corey Heim has won the last two Truck Series road course races, no driver has ever won three in a row.
· With four races to go in the regular season there are only three Playoff positions still available on points.
· There are two road courses and two short tracks in the final four races of the regular season.
Notable Newcomers at Lime Rock
#02 Ben Maier
· 16 years old from Chester, Maryland
· Currently competing full-time in CARS Pro Late Model Tour
• 2 Top 5s, 4 Top 10s in 5 starts this season
· 23 Trans Am TA2 starts between 2023-24 (1 win – Gateway 2024)
• Placed 5th in 2024 season standings
• 1 top-5 at Lime Rock
· 10 Stadium Super Truck starts between 2022-24 (6 Top 5s, 9 Top 10s)
#2 William Lambros
· From Montauk, NY
· Started racing karts at age 5
· Joined Skip Barber Driver Development program in 2018
· 2 class wins in TC America series in 2023 at COTA and Indianapolis RC
· 4 SMART Modified Tour starts in 2024 with two Top 10s
· 4 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge starts in the GS class
#07 Thomas Annunziata
· 20 years old from Colts Neck, NJ
· Currently 2nd in Trans Am TA2 driver standings for Nitro Motorsports (2 wins)
· 4 career Trans Am wins between 2023-25
· 3 Trans Am TA2 podiums at Lime Rock
· Driving part-time for Cope Family Racing in Xfinity Series in 2025
· 2 ARCA road course starts in 2024 with a best finish of 4th (Mid-Ohio)
#7 Jordan Taylor
· 34 years old from Orlando, FL
· 34 IMSA class wins
· 4-time IMSA class season champion (DP – 2013, Prototype – 2017, GT Le Mans – 2020 & 2021)
· 2-time Rolex 24 at Daytona overall winner (2017, 2019)
· 2 IMSA wins at Lime Rock (2013 Grand AM DP, 2021 IMSA GTLM)
· 2015 class winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (GTE Pro)
· 1 Cup Series start for Hendrick Motorsports at COTA in 2023 (finished 24th)
#22 Alex Labbe
· 32 years old from Saint-Albert, Quebec
· 2017 NASCAR Pinty’s Series champion
· Currently competes part-time for SS-Green Light Racing in Xfinity Series
· 158 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts between 2016-2025
· Career-best Xfinity Series finish came at Charlotte Roval in 2020 (4th)
#62 Wesley Slimp
· From Marietta, GA
· Competed in endurance racing since junior year of high school
· 3 wins in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America
· Competing in Porsche Carrera Cup North America this season
· Competed in IMSA Ford Mustang Challenge series in 2024
Clinch Scenarios Following Pocono:
Already Clinched
The following two drivers have clinched a spot in the 10-driver postseason field: Corey Heim, Chandler Smith.
Can Clinch Via Previous Wins
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Corey Heim, Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric, Layne Riggs, Tyler Ankrum, Stewart Friesen or Rajah Caruth:
- Daniel Hemric: Could only clinch with help
- Layne Riggs: Could only clinch with help
- Tyler Ankrum: Could only clinch with help
- Stewart Friesen: Could only clinch with help
- Rajah Caruth: Could only clinch with help
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Grant Enfinger, Kaden Honeycutt, Ty Majeski, Jake Garcia, Giovanni Ruggiero, Ben Rhodes or Tanner Gray:
- Daniel Hemric: Could only clinch with help
- Layne Riggs: Could only clinch with help
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Matt Crafton:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch with 35 points
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch with 38 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Connor Mossack:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch with 31 points
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch with 34 points
- Tyler Ankrum: Could only clinch with help
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Andres Perez De Lara:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch with 21 points
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch with 24 points
- Tyler Ankrum: Could only clinch with help
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Jack Wood:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch with 16 points
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch with 19 points
- Tyler Ankrum: Could only clinch with help
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Matt Mills:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch with 6 points
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch with 9 points
- Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch with 51 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Dawson Sutton:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch with 38 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Spencer Boyd:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Stewart Friesen: Would clinch with 55 points
- Rajah Caruth: Could only clinch with help
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Toni Breidinger:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Stewart Friesen: Would clinch with 30 points
- Rajah Caruth: Would clinch with 48 points
The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Frankie Muniz:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Layne Riggs: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Stewart Friesen: Would clinch with 22 points
- Rajah Caruth: Would clinch with 40 points
Can Clinch Via Win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:
- Daniel Hemric, Layne Riggs, Tyler Ankrum, Stewart Friesen, Rajah Caruth
NASCAR & Atlanta, Lime Rock, Etc.
Significant Events at EchoPark Speedway:
· 1958 – The Atlanta Constitution reported on April 8, 1958, that the First Georgia Securities Corporation, under the leadership of President Richard W. King, had unveiled plans to construct a $1 million racing complex known as Atlanta International Raceway.
· 1959 – A NASCAR-sanctioned race at Atlanta International Raceway, initially planned for November 22, 1959, was postponed due to construction delays and rescheduled for March 27, 1960.
· September 17, 1959 – The groundbreaking ceremony for Atlanta International Raceway occurred.
· June 1960 – The first NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway, initially scheduled for late 1959, was held in June 1960 due to construction delays caused by bad weather.
· 1962 – First Movie Production – EchoPark Speedway was first used for movie production in the 1962 film Thundering Wheels, featuring driver Jack Smith.
· 1965 – In 1965, track owner Bruce Weaver revealed plans for a $500,000 dragstrip to be added at EchoPark Speedway.
· 1968 – In December 1968, Atlanta International Raceway merged with Michigan International Speedway, owned by Lawrence LoPatin. The merger included a $1 million investment for renovations, including a repaving, new dragstrip, expanded seating, and amenity upgrades.
· 1976 – After five years of bankruptcy proceedings, Atlanta International Raceway was officially turned over to a five-man board of directors on March 10, 1976. The move marked the end of a turbulent period for the speedway, with Jim Baker, Walter Nix, and L.G. DeWitt assuming majority ownership.
· 1980 – EchoPark Speedway was featured in the film Smokey and the Bandit II in 1980.
· 1982 – EchoPark Speedway was featured in the film Six Pack, directed by Daniel Petrie.
· 1983 – EchoPark Speedway was used in the 1983 Hal Needham-directed film Stroker Ace.
· 1986 – In January 1986, Mike Helton announced $3 million in renovations ahead of the 1986 The Winston event. These improvements were part of efforts to enhance the EchoPark Speedway’s facilities.
· 1990 – Motorsports mogul Bruton Smith (Speedway Motorsports) purchased the Atlanta International Raceway in 1990, renaming it to Atlanta Motor Speedway and leading the facility’s expansion and renovation under longtime general manager Ed Clark.
· 1992 – In September 1992, the newly constructed 2.5-mile road course at EchoPark Speedway held its first races. This course included both the oval and specialized infield portions.
· 1993 – In 1993, Ed Clark announced a three-year plan to expand EchoPark Speedway’s capacity to 180,000. This plan included the construction of Tara Place, a new condominium complex.
· 1997 – EchoPark Speedway underwent a reconfiguration and repave in 1997. Developers added a 1⁄4 mile oval to EchoPark Speedway’s frontstretch in 1997 to accommodate legends car racing.
· 2005 – In July 2005, an F2 tornado caused by Hurricane Cindy hit EchoPark Speedway, causing an estimated $40 million in damage to its grandstands, condominium complex, and other amenities.
· 2017 – EchoPark Speedway served as an evacuee center during Hurricane Irma in 2017.
· 2017 – In 2017, the film Logan Lucky used EchoPark Speedway as a stand-in for Charlotte Motor Speedway.
· 2018 – In 2018, EchoPark Speedway provided shelter for evacuees during Hurricanes Florence and Michael.
· 2021 – On July 6, 2021, a repave and subsequent reconfiguration of EchoPark Speedway were officially announced. The changes included increasing banking in the turns and narrowing the racing surface.
· In 2021, the Atlanta Marathon was held at EchoPark Speedway due to COVID-19 restrictions, and America’s Got Talent: Extreme filmed its first season at the facility.
· 2022-2023 – EchoPark Speedway again served as an evacuee center, this time during Hurricane Ian and Idalia.
Historical EchoPark Speedway Information:
· From the first race in 1960 through the SMI era the track came to be defined by weather, often all bad. The first race scheduled for late 1959 was not run until the following July because bad weather delayed construction.
· An incomplete facility and muddy conditions greeted the 25,000 fans who saw Fireball Roberts win the inaugural NASCAR event.
· Rain impacted the race weekends for much of the remainder of the decade that contributed to the worsening financial condition and eventual bankruptcy in the 1970s.
· Among the numerous presidents and general managers of the track in its first 30 years was Vice Chairman of NASCAR Mike Helton who served as general manager in 1985-86.
· In a most bizarre occurrence, the 1993 spring race was postponed when the eastern seaboard got buried in over a foot of snow.
· In recent years, the track was hit by hurricanes and tornados. The September 2011 race was set to go at 9:15 PM when it started raining. Based on the forecast for Monday that tropical storm Lee would persist all day, it was ultimately postponed until Tuesday.
· In 1990, SMI acquired the track. Since then, it has undergone a complete transformation from one of the original 1960s undercapitalized superspeedways to one of the most modern and fastest tracks.
· In the fall of 1997, the most dramatic change in the track’s history was made when the original 1.5 mile symmetrical oval was remodeled into the current 1.54 quad oval with the front stretch and backstretch switched.
· In 2013 Goodyear debuted a tire technology at AMS. The right side tire featured Multi-Zone Tread Technology, which combined two different rubber compounds in a single tread. With the combination of the high wear abrasive surface and the high speed, AMS had proved to be one of the most challenging tracks for Goodyear.
· The season ending race was scheduled at Atlanta from 1986 to 2001 (became next to last in 2001 due to the postponement of the New Hampshire race). In 2002, at management’s request, the fall race was moved back a month to October in anticipation of better weather.
· In 2009, the fall race was moved to the Labor Day weekend and the track hosted its first night race. Beginning in 2011, the track’s traditional spring race was dropped from the schedule. From 2012 to 2020 Atlanta held one race a year, with that single event being the 2nd race of the schedule from 2015 to 2019.
· Starting in 2021 Atlanta gained a second date, and the second race was run during the summer
· In 2025, the track was renamed to EchoPark Speedway..
Historical & Significant Events at Lime Rock Park:
- Lime Rock Park, nestled in Lakeville, Connecticut, is one of America’s most iconic and scenic road racing circuits.
- Opened in 1957, it was the first U.S. track purpose-built for sports car racing using natural terrain.
- Designed by racing pioneer John Fitch and founded by Jim Vaill, the 1.53-mile, seven-turn course quickly earned a reputation as a true driver’s circuit—fast, technical, and beautifully situated in the Berkshire foothills.
- From its very first race a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) event in April 1957 Lime Rock became a cornerstone of U.S. road racing.
- Throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, it hosted fierce competition in Trans-Am, Can-Am, and Formula 5000 series. The track drew legends like Mark Donohue, Dan Gurney, Sam Posey, and Paul Newman, who began his professional racing career at Lime Rock and remained closely associated with it for decades.
- In the early 1980s, Lime Rock underwent a pivotal transition. Businessman and former racer Skip Barber, founder of the Skip Barber Racing School, purchased the track. Barber brought a vision of combining professional racing, driver development, and long-term sustainability. His stewardship modernized the business while keeping the grassroots spirit intact. Barber’s leadership helped the track thrive by expanding Saturday events, promoting non-race Sundays (car shows, vintage displays), and deepening community ties.
- Under Skip Barber’s ownership and later through new investment groups (including Lime Rock Group LLC in the 2020s), the track saw continuous improvement:
- 2008: A major repaving project—its first since opening—preserved the original layout but improved grip and safety.
- 2010s–2020s: Facilities were modernized, including fully updated paddock areas, new media centers, better access roads, enhanced spectator areas, and upgraded restrooms and hospitality spaces.
- Environmental initiatives included solar power installations and sustainable land use planning.
- Safety upgrades added modern barriers, runoff zones, and improved fencing—all while maintaining the original track’s character.
- The 1.474-mile track length at Lime Rock Park is the official measurement used by IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) for its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races.
- While the “classic” Lime Rock layout has historically been referred to as 1.530 miles, newer and more precise measurements—especially after the 2008 resurfacing and re-surveying—have clarified that the actual race distance is shorter than previously believed. As part of this work, the track’s operations team used modern surveying methods to re-measure all four layout options. They found that the actual length of each configuration was closer to 1.500 miles, give or take a small margin. When IMSA re-evaluated the course for its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, it measured the track length based on the racing line, which can differ slightly from the geometric centerline.
