Eager to preserve its reputation as one of the ‘raciest' tracks on the current Nextel Cup calendar, officials at the Atlanta Motor Speedway have been taking great care in ensuring that another harsh North American winter does not damage the 1.54-mile quad oval ahead of the 2006 season.
It is not by luck however, that great racing and AMS go hand-in-hand. Countless hours are spent every year ensuring drivers will have a nearly identical surface to race on twice a year.
“We perform intense maintenance to our track every year to ensure a consistent surface for the drivers,” said Wes Harris, senior vice-president of development of Speedway Motorsports Inc. “Some tracks use an injection wand that seals the asphalt surface cracks, keeping moisture out. We seal our track by hand. It is more expensive and labour intensive, but necessary to achieve the optimal end result. The surface is what makes the racing at Atlanta phenomenal.”
Since Glenn “Fireball” Roberts took the chequered flag in the first race at AMS, the Dixie 300 on July 31st, 1960, Atlanta Motor Speedway has undergone numerous track resurfacing projects, the most recent in 1997.
Over time as the asphalt ages, seams develop and water penetration in the seams can undermine the smooth surface in a short amount of time if they are not properly taken care of. Crews at AMS use Dow Corning 890 Self-Levelling Silicone Joint Sealant to seal the seams in the track surface. The Dow Corning product stands up to the extreme temperatures and pressures a racecar creates. The silicone sealant also expands and contracts with rising and falling temperatures.
The asphalt on a racetrack and the asphalt on the road we drive on share a similar compound of large and small stones and liquid asphalt. The two asphalts differ mainly in their chemical compound, with racing asphalt containing an added polymer that increases durability under extreme conditions.
