The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will kick off at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, with a weekend full of high-speed racing and special guest appearances. The 1.5-mile track, which underwent a repave in 2021, has become known for its superspeedway-style races, setting the stage for breathtaking moments. The playoff action will start with the Quaker State 400, the first race in a 10-race push for the championship title, culminating at Phoenix Raceway.
Fans can expect a packed schedule not only on the track but also in the pre-race festivities. NASCAR legend Bobby Labonte, who won the 2000 Cup championship and six races at Atlanta, will serve as Grand Marshal, giving the command to start the engines. The Honorary Starter, tasked with waving the green flag, will be Robert Beasley, a digital operations lead for Walmart.
Leading the field around the track as the Honorary Pace Car Driver will be Alex “Spiff” Sedrick. Sedrick is a member of the U.S. women’s rugby team that earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She made headlines for scoring a crucial 103-yard try and was responsible for the game-winning kick in the team’s victory over Australia.
Actress and singer Bella Yantis, known for her roles in Odd Squad and Good Girl Winnie Foster, will perform the national anthem ahead of the race. The pre-race concert will feature rising country music star Zach Top, whose hit “Sounds Like the Radio” reached the top 30 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
The energy at the Atlanta Motor Speedway promises to be high as NASCAR drivers and fans gear up for an intense weekend of racing, marking the start of the postseason chase for the coveted championship.
