Jeff Gluck

USA TODAY Sports

One of NASCAR's oldest racing surfaces is about to get a makeover.

Atlanta Motor Speedway said it will repave its 20-year-old asphalt surface following its March 5 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, a decision which will come as a disappointment to those who love watching stock car races on old pavement.

Atlanta's crack-filled asphalt was put down in 1997, which makes it the second-oldest surface on the NASCAR circuit (Southern California's Auto Club Speedway is the oldest). The age of the pavement has made for a slippery surface where drivers slide around the track in several different grooves, which produced above-average racing for an intermediate oval.

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But pavement can't last forever, and tracks risk the asphalt coming apart if they wait too long to repave. So Atlanta will create a new surface — while keeping the same layout — starting in late March.

"Many of NASCAR’s greatest moments have occurred on this racing surface, and I have no doubt the world’s best drivers will give it a proper final event before the new surface comes to life,” Atlanta track president Ed Clark said. “Whichever driver can take home the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 trophy in 2017 will mark the end of one era of great racing in AMS history and the beginning of another.”

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