Kyle Petty praises Atlanta Motor Speedway as the top venue in NASCAR, creating a lively debate among fans following his bold declaration on his weekend podcast. The veteran NASCAR analyst, known for his long history with icons like Daytona and Talladega, now considers Atlanta, recently renamed EchoPark Speedway, as the standout destination on the current racing calendar.
Kyle Petty Declares a New Favorite Track
During his latest Kiss My Asphalt podcast, Petty expressed his admiration for Atlanta Motor Speedway, just hours after the Quaker State 400 took place there. Pointing to the unique racing environment compared to traditional powerhouses like Daytona—where his own father made history—Petty surprised many by giving Atlanta his top ranking.
“best track on the NASCAR calendar.”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst
Petty’s opinion challenges the widespread belief that Daytona or Talladega are the ultimate tracks, especially given his family’s historic success at those venues. Fans responded with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, questioning why Atlanta now holds such significance in Petty’s ranking.
How Atlanta Outpaced Its Mile-and-a-Half Peers
Addressing Atlanta’s reputation, Petty clarified how the track was once lumped in with other 1.5-mile circuits like Texas, Kansas, and Charlotte. These venues were important but never quite achieved superspeedway status or notoriety of Daytona and Talladega. According to Petty, Atlanta managed to transcend those boundaries and form a completely distinct racing experience.
“So many times this racetrack was classified as a mile and a half like Texas, like Kansas, like Charlotte, all these racetracks,”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst
He explained how Atlanta broke out from its conventional category, with unique characteristics that now set it apart:
“It is the one and only Atlanta Motor Speedway. We don’t see racing like this anywhere else…”
This belief highlights his appreciation for the unpredictable and thrilling moments that Atlanta consistently offers.
“You don’t have to have 36 to 40 cars to have a great NASCAR race. We saw it in the last five, six, seven laps of the race, some of the best racing that we’ve seen since the first Atlanta race [earlier this year, which was won by Christopher Bell]! That’s what it’s all about, this racetrack puts on a show for the fans, so I think it’s great racing.”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst
What Sets Atlanta Apart from Daytona, Talladega, and Charlotte?
Petty highlighted how Atlanta Motor Speedway allows drivers to compete in unique ways, not possible at other large or traditional tracks. He singled out this creative racing as a major draw for both participants and spectators: drivers can execute maneuvers at Atlanta that simply aren’t feasible elsewhere, making each event notably compelling to watch.
“So for me, the art of racing and to watch these guys do this on this racetrack, is some of the best racing that I see all year… They should race there every week as far as I’m concerned because it is great NASCAR racing.”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst
Major Overhaul Redefines the Track’s Image
Petty reinforced his stance on the NASCAR: Inside the Race LIVE podcast with host Steve Letarte, detailing how the track underwent a significant transformation after the 2021 season under Speedway Motorsports President Marcus Smith. These renovations aimed to create an entirely new category among racing venues. Petty praised Smith and his team for having the vision to reposition Atlanta as a one-of-a-kind motorsports destination.
“You had the (super)speedways, Daytona and Talladega, and you had the mile-and-a-halves, and Atlanta was in that group,”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst
“And somehow, (Speedway Motorsports President) Marcus Smith and those guys redesigned the place and said, ‘We’re going to create a whole new category of racetracks.’ I love this place, man.”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Analyst
Though the extensive redesign drew mixed reactions from the community, Petty is convinced the improvements elevated the competition, making Atlanta the leader for exciting, close-quarters racing in recent seasons.
The Road Ahead for Atlanta and NASCAR
Kyle Petty’s outspoken support for Atlanta Motor Speedway as NASCAR’s top racetrack comes at a time when the sport is evaluating how best to keep fans engaged and drivers challenged. The track’s transformation has split opinions, but the energetic racing and dramatic finales each season have clearly won over at least one prominent voice. As more events unfold at EchoPark Speedway, Petty’s praise may influence broader appreciation—or continue to fuel debate—regarding just what makes a NASCAR track truly great.
