UPDATE 6:04 PM ET: The red flag has been lifted after 19 minutes, four seconds and engines have been re-fired as repairs to the track surface at Atlanta Motor Speedway have been completed.
According to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Clay Greenfield, the track used a product called Aquaphalt to make the patch to fix the pot hole on the frontstretch.
For those wondering why they are pouring water on the asphalt patch it’s a product called aquaphalt. It works nice for small repairs and is activated by water. Works better with a vibrating plant than a hand tamp though. For all your asphalt needs visit https://t.co/NvdDoGERJE pic.twitter.com/zAaxKfypVF
— Clay Greenfield (@claygreenfield) July 11, 2021
ORIGINAL STORY/VIDEO: Kurt Busch has been on such a tear, where he could very well win Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on pure speed alone, but he could also win the race by the rulebook as the 24-year old track surface, which is set to be replaced after this weekend, has begun to break apart.
The race was red-flagged on lap 167, with Busch in the race lead, and track officials are debating ideas on how to fix the surface, which has begun to tear apart on the frontstretch.
The red flag will be displayed for track repairs at @AMSUpdates. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/UXBoKE9PBV
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 11, 2021
If the race can’t be restarted, Busch would be named the winner. But it appears the track officials are beginning to make repairs to the surface which could allow the race to resume.
A pothole in the track surface at Daytona International Speedway delayed the 2010 Daytona 500. The track officials on that night were able to patch the surface with bondo, which got the race to it’s conclusion.
Jamie McMurray won that day. Will the track be repaired? And if so, who will win?