In the late 1950s, plans were made by the First Georgia Securities Corporation to build a facility that rivaled the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

[4] In 1992, developers added a 2.5 miles (4.0 km) road course layout that combined the main oval with a specialized infield portion to create a "roval".

[5] As part of the 1997 reconfiguration, developers added a 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) oval on the track's frontstretch to accommodate legends car racing.

[27] A NASCAR-sanctioned race for November 22, 1959, was set in late August, with NASCAR executive director Pat Purcell stating that he thought that the facility would be completed within the next 60 days.

[39] By the end of June, while NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. was confident that the track would be ready for racing by July 31, he stated that developers had "a heck of a lot of work to do".

[48] The victory was disputed by numerous drivers, most notably runner-up Cotton Owens who accused NASCAR officials of a scoring error.

[51] Lester, who was facing his second attempt to overthrow him during his tenure, angrily stated that if he was overthrown, leadership would have to pay off an insurmountable $562,000 mortgage payment.

[54] Although Lester was able to garner enough support by election day to retain the current administration,[55] he decided to resign from his position,[56] handing it to Nelson Weaver.

[62] In 1967, rumors about the potential sale of AIR to various prospective buyers were reported, including driver and businessman Curtis Turner[63] and then-Atlanta Braves owner William Bartholomay.

[67] In addition, according to Macon News writer John Krueger, AIR leadership was plagued by "power struggles for several years" along with "too many chiefs and not enough Indians".

[68] NASCAR personalities, including Junior Johnson and Buddy Arrington, also stated displeasure with the facility, with a poor track surface, heavy mismanagement, and traffic concerns being key issues.

With the deal, AIR announced an investment of $1 million worth of renovations for the facility, which covered a repave, a new dragstrip, seating expansion, and amenity improvements.

[76] In June, AIR directors initiated plans to sever ties from American Raceways after numerous executives, including Black, were removed from active roles or resigned due to LoPatin's leadership and the company's financial troubles.

[79] LoPatin was reportedly ousted shortly after from his position, with Charlotte Motor Speedway president Richard Howard deciding to assist the track so it could run the 1970 Dixie 500.

[82] The race itself was under threat of being cancelled when the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) demanded they pay $35,000 as a partial payment on their delinquent taxes, which totaled over $58,000.

[83] As part of a last-ditch effort to save the facility from filing bankruptcy, they hoped to merge companies with the Charlotte Motor Speedway, led by track president Richard Howard.

[104] The next month, North Carolina Motor Speedway president L. G. DeWitt joined Baker and Nix in their bid to own the track.

[119] Within the year, Winston-Salem Journal writer Mike Mulhurn reported that a group directed by Hogan tried to oust DeWitt from his leadership at both North Carolina Motor Speedway and AIR.

[125] In September 1989, The Charlotte Observer reported that motorsports businessman Roger Penske offered to purchase the facility from DeWitt and Nix at an unspecified amount.

[136] By mid-October, Winston-Salem Journal writer Mike Mulhurn wrote that Smith had begun planning his first promotions at the track, unofficially confirming his purchase.

[140] Within the first year of Smith's ownership, he announced the construction of a new 21,000-seat grandstand[141] along with traffic flow improvements, which had been a major issue with the facility since the track's inception.

[144] That same year, Marcum resigned from his position, with vice president of events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ed Clark, replacing him.

[146] Groundbreaking on the complex, named Tara Place, started on June 1,[147][148] and although it saw initial poor sales,[149] the $25 million facility partially opened by March 1994.

The decision at the time drew criticism from drivers, including Dale Earnhardt, John Andretti, and Johnny Benson Jr.[153] The renovation itself cost $30 million and added 37,000 seats, a 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) oval for legends car racing within the track's frontstretch, 44 luxury suites, and upgraded garages.

[165] A hearing in the Georgia House of Representatives was scheduled in January 2020,[166] with the Henry County Board of Commissioners later voting in favor a statement of approval for a statewide referendum on the issue on the 21st.

[170] Clark announced his retirement from his position of president in December 2019[171] which took effect in March 2020, ending a 27-year reign and giving complete control to Hutchison.

[172] After Clark's retirement, SMI CEO Marcus Smith hinted an upcoming repave and possible reconfiguration back to the original oval configuration if the entertainment complex proposal passed.

The Ambetter Health 400, originally named the Dixie 500, was initially planned as a 300 mi (480 km) race set to debut in late 1959.

[183] In 1986, the facility hosted a one-off iteration of The Winston (now known as the NASCAR All-Star Race),[184] which was originally intended to rotate among different venues each year.

Track president at the time, Nelson Weaver, later questioned the authenticity of Sachs' fears and put out a statement that criticized USAC officials.