Who Says You Miss All the Traffic by Flying to the Race Track?

They’re lined up nose to tail and no one is going anywhere.

No, it’s not US 19-41 after the race. This traffic is waiting to take off at Clayton County Airport – Tara Field after the Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

At two departures per minute it will take a while to get all these planes in the air.

This is still one of the most convenient airports on the circuit. It’s just a short walk from victory lane to the jet, unlike Dover and New Hampshire where drivers usually take a helicopter to the airport.

Tara Field is known as FAA identifier 4A7.

The little airport normally sees a little over 100 aircraft per day – but on race day that number can easily top 600. Only 4 jets are based at the airport, but you wouldn’t think so by looking at these pictures.

Jet A and 100LL aviation fuel is available at the airport, along with an FBO that provides major airframe and powerplant service.

The 4,503 ft. runway can handle a Lear 60 with ease, but is a little short for a Gulfstream V. The runway is lighted dusk to dawn. There is no landing fee at this municipally owned airport, but parking fees are assessed whenever the NASCAR jets are in town.