NASCAR Cup Series

Podium Preview: Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

by
Rob Tiongson
July 9, 2023

Help me help you, Brad. (Photo: Trish McCormack | The Podium Finish)

HAMPTON, Ga. – With the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series season underway, Atlanta Motor Speedway plays host to the unpredictable, wild card Quaker State 400.

No, it is definitely not the same Atlanta Motor Speedway from 1960 to 1997. In fact, it is hardly the same track from 1997 to 2021. For the past year and a half, it is a 1.54-mile quad oval track that behaves a bit like a superspeedway.

Rather than being a track with an abrasive surface that promotes slipping and sliding kind of racing, it is a ruthless, cunning contest of the right draft partners at the right time. Handling and heads up driving in the pack prove key along with avoiding any speeding penalties heading into, on and exiting pit road.

Drivers and teams only had qualifying on Saturday afternoon to get a lay of the land. Despite the qualifying times appearing to be a bit slower than those 26 years ago, do not be fooled.

In fact, it is not uncommon to see packs of cars at full song reaching over 180 to 185 mph. Essentially, it is a no holds barred kind of race evening where about anybody from anywhere in the pack has a chance to win Round 19 of 36.

Last year, Chase Elliott did all the right moves to score his third win of the season. As Elliott seeks his first win of 2023, he faces some heavy hitters like Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe and Aric Almirola.

Once the NASCAR official unfurls the green flag on race day, it is anyone’s guess as to who will prevail in this year’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. For the time being, come along for the ride this and each race weekend with Podium Preview.

This weekend, Cody Shoppe, Jasmine Sharpe, Kobe Lambeth, Luis Torres, Matt Sisoler and yours truly ponder about the final eight regular season races of 2023 and the 400-miler moving from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night.

Question 1

Daniel Suárez vies for a Playoffs spot after sweating out Quaker State 400 qualifying on Saturday, July 8. (Photo: Trish McCormack | The Podium Finish)

With eight races left in the regular season, which driver seems most likely to punch their ticket into the Playoffs with a win in Sunday night’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta?

Sisoler : I think there’s a decent chance Chase Elliott does it, if there’s any frontrunner to pull off an upset to lock themselves into the playoffs, that is. Atlanta being such a wildcard track now that they’ve made it into a mini superspeedway means anyone could realistically do it. Justin Haley came the closest to stopping Shane van Gisbergen at Chicago last week and is a good plate track racer, could be him. Corey LaJoie nearly did it last year, could be him, who knows? It really is up for grabs at Atlanta (Super) Motor Speedway Sunday.

Sharpe : Personally, I have the belief this weekend’s winner will be from the Ford camp. This is not from the phenomenal qualifying run the manufacturer had overall during Saturday, but because of the drivers who have not punched their ticket yet. Names like Kevin Harvick, Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski, and Michael McDowell. Two of these gents are Championship winners, understanding what it takes to make it to the top of the points. With this also being Harvick’s last season, winning means much more than just punching a ticket to the Playoffs. Yes, Chase Elliot seems to be a hot pick for the other members of TPF, but I don’t think Atlanta will be the track for the Hendrick Motorsports driver to ‘punch his ticket’ at.

Lambeth : Entering this race as the defending winner and desperately needing a win to secure a spot in the postseason, I believe this will be a great opportunity for Chase Elliott to end any worries of missing the 16-driver playoff field.

Since returning from injury, Elliott’s been remarkably consistent with multiple strong performances. The only thing that’s missing is a win. If the No. 9 team keeps doing what they’re doing, reaching Victory Lane feels inevitable.

Question 2

Might we see the 6-17 crew from RFK Racing benefit from nighttime racing at Atlanta? (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)

With the Quaker State 400 taking place on Sunday night this year, how impactful will the later start time factor into the on track product at Atlanta?

Tiongson : It may make a bit of difference with better handling. However, it is still quite warmer and much more humid in July than a Sunday afternoon in mid-March. I look for this race to be all about handling and minimizing pit road speeding penalties.

The Fords will not see much difference but I expect the Chevrolet teams to fare better with the nighttime conditions. With that, look for Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano to get in the mix with Hendrick’s Kyle Larson and the No. 31 Kaulig entry driven by Justin Haley.

Torres : Already there’s been slow signs that the surface is already becoming a concern where handling is crucial. Similar to Daytona in the past when the surface was no longer new and fresh. With the race being much later for the first time since raising the bankings, I see it being vital because of how the conditions will change as the race unfolds.

Drafting will be there, but I do see handling hampering the concerns of seeing attrition and potential red flags.

Shoppe : Typically, the change to a night race doesn’t do much to help the on track product aside from some visually pleasing cars going around under the lights. But with Atlanta becoming this new addition to the drafting track. Family, I’d expect this to not be as much of an impact as if it had been the old mile and a half track. Let’s hope we see a Daytona in July type of thrilling race tonight in Atlanta!

Two laps around Atlanta prove a bit thrilling and wanting some Quaker State oil for the TPF racecar! Before we return to the track, let us rewind to last Sunday’s Grant Park 220 at the Chicago Street Course, Round 18 of 36 of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, to review the race and points reports!

A trio of panelists believed in Shane van Gisbergen.

Not surprisingly, it was a great points day for those choosing SVG.