[h=2]NASCAR: Atlanta resurfacing set for March[/h] Kelly Crandall / Image by LAT

The second-oldest racing surface on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit will be repaved this spring.
Atlanta Motor Speedway announced Tuesday morning the 1.5-mile track, which was last resurfaced in 1997, will be repaved following NASCAR's tripleheader weekend in early March. Work is scheduled to begin later that month and is expected to be completed by mid-April.


In the release, AMS officials said the project would consist of putting a brand new asphalt surface over the top of the current surface. The track's quad-oval layout and 24-degree banking will remain unchanged.
"Many of NASCAR's greatest moments have occurred on this racing surface, and I have no doubt the world's best drivers will give it a proper final event before the new surface comes to life," track president Ed Clark said in the release. "Whichever driver can take home the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 trophy in 2017 will mark the end of one era of great racing in AMS history and the beginning of another."
While a repaving of Atlanta has seemed inevitable for some time, most drivers took a liking to the abrasive surface. Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, and Matt Kenseth have been among those in support of the track being left alone. The aged surface produces slick driving conditions and has resulted in some of the most memorable events in recent history.



That includes drivers sliding all around the racing surface, finding multiple grooves to run in and victories being decided by the smallest margins. Atlanta has been the site of numerous photo finishes, including Dale Earnhardt edging Bobby Labonte by 0.010 seconds in 2000; Kevin Harvick nipping Jeff Gordon by 0.006 seconds for his first career win in 2001; and Carl Edwards getting the best of Jimmie Johnson in 2005.



Geoff Bodine holds the qualifying record at Atlanta, which was set during the very first race on the current surface in 1997. Bodine put down a lap of 28.074 seconds at an average speed of 197.478 mph.
NASCAR visits Atlanta Motor Speedway March 3-5.