In 2001 , the race was scheduled as the season finale , however , it ended up being the second-to-last race . The New Hampshire 300 was postponed from September 16 to the Friday after Thanksgiving , due to 9/11 . Beginning in 2002 the race was moved to mid-October as NASCAR elected to hold its final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway instead of Atlanta . The 2003 race started a tradition of night qualifying at Atlanta , which has carried over to the spring race as well
9/11
September 11 attacks
Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500