Marcus Smith on scheduled Atlanta repave: 'We're going to have to look into it'
HAMPTON, Ga. -- After multiple NASCAR drivers have showed their displeasure for the scheduled Atlanta Motor Speedway repave, the track could be reviewing their initial plans.
Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., heard the comments from drivers, indicating they may need to re-think the repave.
"I love all the positive comments we've gotten," Smith said. "We're just going to have to look into it. I'll tell you with all the positive comments that we've had, it definitely causes us to re-look at our plan."
Atlanta is slated to being the repave process following Sunday's Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (2 p.m. ET, FOX). The 1.54-mile Hampton, Georgia oval was last repaved in 1997. Smith said they've gotten more life out of the race track than they originally thought they would.
"I can't really say the status has changed," Smith added. "We've looked at the track a lot over the years. We feel like we've gotten three more years out of the track right now. The challenges are still there in keeping the track raceable, making it something we can have a race on today and making sure we have a quality race."
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Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Camping World Truck Series driver Matt Crafton are the latest to come out and say they do not want the repave.
"I've heard from the drivers that they like this gritty surface," Smith said. "We will look at it after the race today and we'll make a better determination on what we have to do moving forward."
This also raises questions about Atlanta given Las Vegas Motor Speedway is lobbying for a second date on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
Smith said he "hadn't even thought about that" being a possibility.
"No, I don't think there's any reason for worry," Smith said regarding whether or not Atlanta should be concerned about losing their date. "It's been great to have feedback from drivers saying how much they like the surface. It's definitely caused us to say maybe should look at it again. But I will tell you, we have looked at the surface quite a lot. With our engineers and pavement experts, they've already pushed it what they feel is about three years beyond normal."
Smith said everything is merely speculation at the moment regarding the logistics of making the second Las Vegas date happen.
"I know they have a meeting coming up next week," Smith said. "So, really, that's the next thing we're waiting for."
FOXSports.com reached out to NASCAR about the possible reevaluation of Atlanta's repave plans:
"We work hand-in-hand with them as they make those kinds of decisions and investments in improving their facilities. We're always glad to see them invest in their facilities because it's good for the sport."
