Located just 25 miles south of the vibrant city of Atlanta, Georgia, you will find one of NASCAR's most sought-out destinations--Atlanta Motor Speedway. Some of the greatest names in racing have won their Championship titles here; Alan Kulwicki, Darrell Waltrip, and even Dale Earnhardt. Built in 1960, and owned by Bruton Smith of Speedway Motorsports Inc., this great NASCAR track features a 1.54 mile quad-oval layout with amazing 24 degree banking in the turns and 5 degrees of banking on the straight. In the grand opening race, Fireball Roberts became the first Atlanta Speedway Champion.
For many years, the final race of the Winston Cup Series was held and enjoyed at this fine racetrack. Today with new grandstands, private clubhouses, and luxury suites, the Atlanta Motor Speedway is definitely the Home of NASCAR Racing Champions!.The Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 is a NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car race held at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It is a 500 mile race, consisting of 325 laps.The race has had many names over the years, including:.
Dixie 300 (1960)
Dixie 400 (1961-1966)
Dixie 500 (1967-1979)
Atlanta Journal 500 (1980-1990)
Hardee's 500 (1991)
Hooters 500 (1992-1994)
NAPA 500 (1995-2002).The past winners of the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 are:.2005 Carl Edwards
2004 Jimmie Johnson
2003 Jeff Gordon
2002 Kurt Busch (race shortened to 248 laps due to rain)
2001 Bobby Labonte
2000 Jerry Nadeau (race postponed one day due to rain)
1999 Bobby Labonte
1998 Jeff Gordon (race shortened to 221 laps due to rain)
1997 Bobby Labonte*
1996 Bobby Labonte
1995 Dale Earnhardt
1994 Mark Martin
1993 Rusty Wallace
1992 Bill Elliott
1991 Mark Martin
1990 Morgan Shepherd
1989 Dale Earnhardt
1988 Rusty Wallace
1987 Bill Elliott
1986 Dale Earnhardt
1985 Bill Elliott
1984 Dale Earnhardt
1983 Neil Bonnett
1982 Bobby Allison
1981 Neil Bonnett
1980 Cale Yarborough
1979 Neil Bonnett
1978 Donnie Allison
1977 Darrell Waltrip (race shortened to 268 laps due to rain)
1976 Dave Marcis
1975 Buddy Baker
1974 Richard Petty
1973 David Pearson
1972 Bobby Allison
1971 Richard Petty
1970 Richard Petty
1969 LeeRoy Yarbrough
1968 LeeRoy Yarbrough
1967 Dick Hutcherson
1966 Richard Petty
1965 Marvin Panch
1964 Ned Jarrett
1963 Junior Johnson
1962 Rex White
1961 David Pearson
1960 Fireball Roberts.
.Curry Hayes is the owner of Race Fans Friend, the premier online NASCAR ticket agency. For years racing fans have enjoyed the convenience, security, and affordability of purchasing all their NASCAR tickets through Race Fans Friend.
By: Curry Hayes
