Just south of Atlanta, in Hampton, Georgia, sits the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Back in July of 1960 the 1.5-mile-long track, then called the Atlanta International Raceway, held its first race.
At the time it was only the seventh “superspeedway” to host a cup race.
Ed Clark has been with the Atlanta Motor Speedway for 27 years. Here, Ed Clark is pictured with Bill Elliott. (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Ed Clark has been with the Atlanta Motor Speedway for 27 years. Here, Ed Clark is pictured with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2004. (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Ed Clark has been with the Atlanta Motor Speedway for 27 years. Here, Ed Clark is pictured with Harry Grant. (Photo credit: Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Ed Clark has been with the Atlanta Motor Speedway for 27 years. Here, Ed Clark is pictured with Jeff Gordon in 1999. (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Ed Clark has been with the Atlanta Motor Speedway for 27 years. Here, Ed Clark is pictured with Juan Pablo Montoya. (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Former NASCAR driver and television personality Kyle Petty and Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark swap stories during NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Day at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Oct. 13, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Ed Clark has been with the Atlanta Motor Speedway for 27 years. Here, Ed Clark is pictured with Richard Petty. (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Ed Clark has been with the Atlanta Motor Speedway for 27 years. Here, Ed Clark is pictured with U.S. Legend Car. (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Motor Speedway)
Just three of the original seven, Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, are still operating, according to the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Now, a lot has changed since that first race. Today, speedway properties are spread over 850 acres and include amenities, such as on-site condominiums and luxury suites.
And, recently, the speedway announced another change. After 27 years with the company, Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark is retiring.
On a recent edition of “Closer Look,” host Rose Scott visited Clark at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for a conversation about his more than 40 years in the NASCAR industry, and for a ride around the track.
