Quaker State 400: Power Rankings

Race Information

Race: Quaker State 400
Laps: 260
Date: July 11^th @ 3:30pm
Venue: Atlanta Motor Speedway
2020 Winner: N/A
Network: NBCSN

Track

Atlanta Motor Speedway — Opened in 1960, this 1.54 mile quad-oval track is among the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The track distance and shape are commensurate with Charlotte Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. It underwent a few renovations, including nearly rebuilding the track in 1997 and switching the front-stretch with the backstretch. It should be fast racing with some dirt coming up on the track. There are grooves along the track and familiarity is almost as important as success in higher speed tracks.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Favorites

Kevin Harvick (fifth selection this year) – With a handful of wins and mostly top 10 finishes here since 2015, Harvick is the clear favorite. He is averaging (by far) a better finish than any other driver here since 2014.

Martin Truex Jr. (fifth selection this year) — Slightly behind Harvick with a handful of top three finishes would be Martin Truex Jr., who also has mostly top 10s here over the last six years.

High Risk/High Reward

Kurt Busch (seventh selection this year) — Kurt finished 39^th here earlier this year with an accident but has mostly been a top 10 finisher here since 2015. He’s been improving with top 20 finishes in three of the last four races.

Ryan Blaney (sixth selection this year). Ryan won here earlier this year and was 4^th here last year. He was a top six finisher in two of the last three races.

The Dark Horse

Aric Almirola (sixth selection this year). Aric isn’t always a top 10 finisher, but he’s almost always a top 20 finisher. He’s been among the top 20 seven times across his last eight races in Atlanta.

Fun Fact: This race did not exist from 2010-2020.

2021 Results

Favorite: Average finish 13th (34^th Percent)
High Risk/High Reward: Average finish 18^th (46^th Percent)
Dark Horse: Average finish 18^th (46^th Percent)