Take a lap around the new Atlanta Motor Speedway (Video)

Kurt Busch holds phone while driving street car around the high banks of the new Atlanta Motor Speedway with comedic commentary

On Wednesday and Thursday, the newly repaved Atlanta Motor Speedway welcomes the NASCAR Next Gen car. It’s the first time the NASCAR Cup Series machines have touched the brand new surface.

Ahead of the test, Kurt Busch jumped in a street car to take a lap. As he drove with one hand on the wheel and one hand on the phone, he commentated his lap.

Watch the video of Kurt Busch taking a lap on the track below.

Driver in test: Chris Buescher (RFK Racing Ford), Kurt Busch (23XI Racing Toyota), Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet).

The 1.54-mile was already one of the fastest NASCAR tracks on the schedule. Now, the banking has been increased from 24 degrees to 28 degrees.

The 670hp engine becomes the standard for short tracks, intermediate tracks and road courses in 2022. However, NASCAR is expected to use the 550hp engine for Atlanta, the same package used at Talladega and Daytona.

This week’s test is used to set the tire compounds for the 2022 race. On Tuesday, the track saw the Xfinity and Trucks, to help Goodyear set those compounds as well.

Atlanta Motor Speedway used iRacing to help determine the layout of their new racing surface. In the video of the repave announcement, the track was aiming to become a pack-racing track, similar to Daytona and Talladega.

Related: NASCAR drivers talk ‘disconnect’ and ‘broken system’ with Atlanta repave

Kurt Busch - 23XI Racing - NASCAR
Kurt Busch – 23XI Racing – NASCAR

Kurt Busch comments

“This is not the same AMS that we raced on last summer,” Kurt Busch stated.

“This is insane. Just the feel and the difference. The banking, is so steep, just adding a few degrees. Just adding the banking and keeping the same radius, it feels sharp and steep. Like it’s a sharper corner but it’s the same.”

Busch added, “This is going to be great. We’re here for testing and we’re going to help Goodyear find a new tire for this fast, fast track.”

Kurt Busch takes a lap around Atlanta Motor Speedway

NASCAR Next Gen on track at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Related: Atlanta Motor Speedway repave features new technology

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Kurt Busch | Atlanta Motor Speedway | NASCAR

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