Officials from Atlanta Dragway and the National Hot Rod Association announced on Monday that the upcoming Southern Nationals for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series will be the last at the Commerce, Georgia facility.
The final running is slated to be held April 30-May 2,
The event has been held for the past 40 years at the track, located just outside of Banks Crossing, and its anniversary event has been much promoted this year after being cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year’s NHRA Southern Nationals is the capstone on four decades of racing at this track,” said Kasey Coler, NHRA Vice President of Track Management & Operations in a release on Monday. “We know that our 40th will be a celebration of the track’s renowned drag racing history and will be an event fans won’t want to miss.”
No reason for the decision to end the annual event, or indication of where the race date might move to, was given.
According to the release, other events at the track will continue this year.
“Atlanta Dragway will continue to host its weekly event schedule through the fall, including the Summit E.T. Bracket Series events and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series National Open, May 21-23, along with the NHRA Division 2 Summit E.T. Series Finals, September 30 – October 2,” the release reads. “NHRA continues to consult with tracks in the Southeast to enhance their relationship with sportsman racers.”
The raceway was built in 1975 after the land was originally graded to build an airport. It became NHRA sanctioned in 1980, with the first running of the Southern Nationals coming in 1981.
The NHRA purchased the track in 1993, making updates to the racing surface and timing system.
In recent months, the NHRA announced they were searching for new ownership for the facility. No announcement has been released as to the future of the race track after the current racing season.
For more information, visit NHRA.com.
