The International Hot Rod Association has officially acquired Atlanta Dragway in Banks County, Georgia, bringing one of the Southeast’s most historic drag racing facilities back under active motorsports ownership after years of uncertainty.
Originally opened in 1976, Atlanta Dragway quickly established itself as a cornerstone of grassroots and national drag racing in the region. Built on land originally graded for an airport, the facility’s early infrastructure reflected its resourceful beginnings, including a timing tower repurposed from an airport control tower. Over the decades, the track hosted national-level competition, regional championships, and countless local events that helped shape the careers of racers across the Southeast.
The track’s closure in 2021 left a significant void in the regional racing landscape. While the physical facility remained intact, organized competition ceased, and questions about redevelopment and long-term viability lingered. For many racers and fans, the shutdown represented more than the loss of a venue; it felt like part of a broader trend threatening historic motorsports facilities nationwide.
That trajectory began to shift when local community members and county leadership worked to preserve the property for racing use. A unanimous vote by the Banks County Commission ultimately cleared the way for the track’s reopening, demonstrating both political and community support for keeping Atlanta Dragway operational as a racing facility.
IHRA’s acquisition now formalizes that effort and provides structural stability moving forward. Rather than operating through temporary agreements or limited sanctioning arrangements, IHRA has taken ownership of the property, signaling a long-term commitment to maintaining and developing the facility.
The organization has already announced that Atlanta Dragway will host the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series World Finals from October 22–24, 2026. Scheduling a marquee national event so quickly after acquisition underscores the intent to immediately reestablish the track as a significant stop on the national drag racing calendar. The decision also sends a message to racers and teams that Atlanta Dragway will not merely reopen as a local facility, but as a venue capable of supporting high-level competition.
Beyond the headline event, IHRA has indicated that Atlanta Dragway will serve as a Southeastern hub for sportsman racing and community-focused programming. That dual emphasis reflects the economic reality of modern drag racing, where sustainable weekly and regional participation is just as critical as national exposure. Facilities that balance both levels of competition tend to generate consistent engagement while preserving the sport’s grassroots foundation.
The acquisition also aligns with a broader pattern in IHRA’s operational strategy. By securing ownership of historic tracks rather than relying solely on sanctioning agreements, the organization gains greater control over scheduling, facility improvements, and long-term investment decisions. Ownership reduces uncertainty for racers and sponsors while strengthening the sanctioning body’s ability to coordinate events across its portfolio.
For Banks County, the return of organized racing carries tangible economic implications. Historically, major race weekends brought increased traffic to hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. Community leaders have emphasized that Atlanta Dragway has long been intertwined with the county’s identity and tourism base, making its revival more than a symbolic victory.
For racers and longtime fans, the emotional significance is equally strong. Atlanta Dragway’s closure had become a cautionary example of how quickly established motorsports venues can disappear. Its return instead demonstrates that coordinated local action and aligned ownership can reverse that trajectory.
With the acquisition finalized and a major national event already on the schedule, Atlanta Dragway now transitions from uncertainty to active planning. Operational timelines, event schedules, and facility preparations will determine the pace of its reentry, but the fundamental question of whether the track will race again has been definitively answered.
Atlanta Dragway is returning to competition under IHRA ownership, securing a future that, until recently, seemed far from guaranteed.