ATLANTA, July 7 (UPI) -- Officials at Atlanta Motor Speedway said Thursday that a tornado Wednesday evening caused damage to the track.
They said the twister caused heavy structural damage to parts of the grand-stand, luxury suites, condominiums, corporate offices and the infield area. It did an estimated $25 million in damages at one-half mile wide with winds of 150 mph.
"There wasn't really damage to the racing surface," Speedway President Ed Clark said on the facility's website. "We could run a race in a couple days as far as the track is concerned, but the infield, general property and suite areas are the main concern."
Officials insisted the track will be ready for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 the last weekend of October.
