Yeah, I'm sure NASCAR is worried about traffic in Atlanta, lol. I've lived in Atlanta for 2 years now and I can tell you in town traffic is nothing - outside the Perimeter is the problem. The HOF would be built downtown in an area where I travel daily with no problems whatsoever.
A true destination center is being built downtown with the nation's largest aquarium, the constructiing World of Coke museum, and the High Museum of Art. "Destination centers" are a huge draw for other attractions...just look at what Disney World did for the outskirts of Orlando. Now I'm not saying downtown Atlanta will turn into Orlando, nor do I want it to - but explaining what happens when destination centers are created.
The HOF would be a very successful addition to this destination center. I'm sure Charlotte would like to overlook the projected attendence figures differences, but 2.5 times is nothing to sniff at. Atlanta has 2.5 times Charlotte's population, has 10 times as many convention attendees, has a destination center being built downtown, is home to the world's busiest airport and is home to more NASCAR corporate sponsors than any other city. To put it out of the running based on "traffic problems" and meaningless "biting off more than it can chew" arguments makes no business sense whatsoever. And, based on the elimination of Richmond and Kansas City, it is a clear indication that the Frances are making a business and historical basis decision.
Besides, most of the other museums for sports were created in a different era. NASCAR is a money machine and owned by a private family. Why would they want to do anyone the favor of granting them the HOF when it wasn't in their best financial interest. There is enough money and historical relationship in the sport for Atlanta to pull this through.
If you are going just on attendence figures (and $$$) alone it would be Atlanta (by a wide margin), Daytona, then Charlotte. If I were a betting man, I'd say Charlotte would be the odd man out.