Fastest NASCAR Race Tracks
Tuesday March 20, 2007
There seems to be some confusion over what is the fastest race track on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup schedule. Most NASCAR fans are aware of Bill Elliott's 1988 Talladega qualifying run of 212.809 MPH. That lap still stands as the all-time fastest official qualifying lap in NASCAR history.
However since the introduction of restrictor plates and NASCAR's other safety innovations speeds over 200mph are no longer attainable.
Today Atlanta and Texas both claim to be the fastest. So what is currently the fastest race track on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup schedule? Here are the top ten fastest NASCAR race tracks since 2000.
Comments
Speed has nothing to do with a good race,Richmond has some excellent Racing and it’s only a 3/4 mile track,It’s wide enough to allow some excellent racing.Atlanta and Texas are fast and have Great racing…but Daytona and Talladega have been ruined with the restrictor Plate.
I agree the short tracks are more exciting (Not the crashes), superspeedways can get to the point that you fall asleep. Short tracks = more leaders and driver skill
I think that both styles of tracks have there atvantages. Sometimes the short tracks get really boring cuz there are more caution laps than race laps. Your longer tracks have speed and 3 to 4 wide racing. Just depends on my mood and the events as they unfold. My opinion on restrictor plates is mixed. They have there purpose but sometimes wouldnt be cool to see what would happen without them.
So, back to the original question, what is the fastest tracks today?
I would say Atlanta. Texas is fast, but is barely a one groove track. Atlanta is a two groove track providing fast speeds and exciting racing. And if it is not exciting, NASCAR will throw a yellow to make it competitive.
I personally like the tracks with personality…Bristol, Indy, Daytona, Charlotte, Richmond. Too bad we lost some good personality tracks to cookie cutter tracks.
Tracks with no personality are Las Vegas, California, Michigan come to mind.
I agree with 1969RS to a point. ATLANTA is fast, but if we are going to get technical BRISTOL would be my selection. ATLANTA is fast don’t misunderstand me, but at BRISTOL if you take the size of the track,car speed and banking angle its probably the fastest track in NASCAR. To the naked eye my bet would be ATLANTA. Second place DARLINGTON. Also NASCAR could really do without CALIFORNIA,MICHIGAN, and DAYTONA and TALLEDEGA are soon becoming seriously boring too.
Bristol should be filled with water and turned into a Bass tournament. If yah gunna Race a short track make it dirt not Black top or concrete, thats real Racing almost any driver can do hard top but dirt is hard to master
Let’s fix Dayton and Talledega. Either fill then with water and race boats or take a bulldozer to one end of each and flatten then out to something less than 20 degrees.
Bring back the need for drivers, engineering and the ability to pass the lead car.
Let them race without the plates. if the speeds are too great use smaller engines, carbs, and or set the rearend gearing.