LISTEN: Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at the renaming ceremony at Echo Park Speedway. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

Kemp

Caption

Gov. Brian Kemp (center left) poses with the trophy for the Quaker State 400, the first race set to be held at the newly renamed Echo Park Speedway.

Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News

The Atlanta Motor Speedway in Henry County is now Echo Park Speedway.

Green smoke erupted as Gov. Brian Kemp pushed a button to reveal the racing venue's new name on Tuesday. The seven-year naming rights contract is part of a multimillion dollar branding deal with auto retailer Echo Park. 

Kemp said that the speedway continues to have a significant economic impact on the state and tourism.

$250 million estimated economic impact a year supporting, obviously, thousands of jobs," Kemp said. "So the investment from Fortune 300 Company is going to solidify really what goes on here and at the track for years to come and that's why for me It's such an exciting day."

NASCAR driver Ross Chastian drove Kemp around the track for the inaugural ride on Echo Park Speedway. The first championship at Echo Park Speedway with the new name will be held at the end of this month.