Four People to Watch as NASCAR Pulls Into Atlanta

The NASCAR season continues with a stop at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Following an exciting weekend at the Daytona 500, NASCAR is heading to Atlanta Motor Speedway for another high-speed race on a superspeedway. As the season continues, there are several drivers and personalities to keep an eye on during the upcoming Atlanta event.

Why it matters

Atlanta Motor Speedway is a key stop on the NASCAR calendar, known for its high-banked turns and fast straightaways that often lead to thrilling finishes. The race in Atlanta will provide an early test for drivers and teams as they look to gain momentum in the season-long championship battle.

The details

The Atlanta race will feature several storylines to follow, including the continued rise of young stars, the performance of veteran drivers looking to bounce back, and the strategies of top teams as they navigate the unique challenges of the Atlanta track.

  • The NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Chase Elliott

The 30-year-old Georgia native is one of the top young drivers in NASCAR and will be looking to win in front of his home crowd at Atlanta.

Denny Hamlin

The veteran driver is still seeking his first NASCAR championship and will be aiming to build on his strong start to the season in Atlanta.

Bubba Wallace

The 28-year-old driver has emerged as one of the sport's most popular figures and will be hoping to secure his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory in Atlanta.

Kyle Busch

The two-time NASCAR champion is always a threat to win, and he'll be looking to bounce back from a disappointing Daytona 500 performance.

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What they’re saying

“Atlanta is always a wild card race, you never know what's going to happen. That's what makes it so exciting for the fans.”

— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver (NASCAR.com)

“I'd love nothing more than to get my first Cup Series win in front of the Georgia fans. That would be a dream come true.”

— Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Driver (ESPN)

What’s next

Drivers will participate in practice sessions and qualifying runs on Friday and Saturday before the main race on Sunday afternoon.

The takeaway

The Atlanta race promises to be an exciting and unpredictable event, with several top drivers and storylines to follow as the NASCAR season continues to heat up.