Track Blog
Stirring rendition of National Anthem Still Creating A Buzz
With the finish of each race, we are always anxious to hear from our fans. You are a tremendous asset to us in letting us know what we are doing well in addition to what we can do to improve your experience at future events at Atlanta Motor Speedway. With the Emory Healthcare 500 now in the books, one thing we have heard many rave reviews of is the National Anthem prior to Sunday's Emory Healthcare 500, performed by Ernie Haas and Signature Sound. Within minutes of the stirring rendition of the National Anthem, we began receiving messages praising the performance, and we are still hearing from fans expressing their approval.
In case you missed it, here's a link to a video of their performance.
AMS President and General Manager Ed Clark has noted that in 18 years at the track, he has never received such a positive response from a National Anthem.
"We at Atlanta Motor Speedway have received an incredible number of positive calls and e-mails complimenting the performances of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound during Sunday's Emory Healthcare 500 pre-race show," Clark said. "Both "I Pledge My Allegiance" and "The Star Spangled Banner" were spine
chilling renditions which touched every person in attendance as well as those watching on national television. In my 18 years here at Atlanta Motor Speedway never have we received this level of praise for the
performance of our national anthem before one of our events."
If you'd like more information on Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, you can get more info on their Web site at www.erniehaase.com.
We've seen no shortage of memorable moments here at Atlanta Motor Speedway through the years. And thanks to Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, we have another. It's just another reason why you cannot miss being at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend!
Thank You Fans, For A Great Race!
On behalf of the entire staff of Atlanta Motor Speedway, we would like to thank you, the best fans in NASCAR, for a fantastic Labor Day weekend of night racing! It truly was the Biggest Labor Day Party in the USA! We had it all - great fans, great music and great racing! It was a pleasure to see so many fans here this weekend, from the ones who have been coming for many years to the first-timers choosing to spend their time with us! And just think - Labor Day 2011 will be he here before you know it, and it'll be time for another big Labor Day bash under the lights at AMS!
And don't forget - next year we will have three NASCAR night races in one weekend with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series!
Thanks again to you, the fans!
Sprint Cup Night Racing Has Arrived! Be Here!
If today feels a lot like Christmas for race fans, that's because it may as well be! Finally, it's time for Sprint Cup Series night racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway with the Emory Healthcare 500! That's right - 500 miles of night racing, an event you just cannot pass up! The atmosphere, fun at-track activities for all ages and finally – racing under the lights at NASCAR's fastest track! And you know what's even better – there are still ticket available for tonight's race! We've brought in extra help in the ticket office for one reason only – to meet the needs of all of our face to help you enjoy the magic that is night racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Concerts and other appearances at the Coca-Cola Fan Stage - including music by Colt Ford at 1 p.m. and Drivin' N Cryin at 3:45 p.m.. Great times with friends. A rockin' pre-race concert by Foreigner. Night Racing! It's the Biggest Labor Day Party in the USA – and you don't want to miss it!
Element of Unexpected Adds To Intrigue At AMS
There are a few givens at Atlanta Motor Speedway: It's going to be fast, it's going to have a lot of racing lines, and there's a good chance for a photo finish. But Jeff Burton said Saturday that Atlanta Motor Speedway also has a couple of factors that are always changing. "This race track has a bigger split personality from qualifying to racing of anywhere we go," Burton said. "Qualifying is so fast, crazy fast. And then you get 20 laps into the race and you're like 'my God, you cannot believe how slow it gets.' To me, that's what's fun about it. Because the track is so slick, small changes make a big difference in how the car drives."
Gordon Looks Back On 2001
It's not often you hear a driver say he's glad he didn't win a race, but Jeff Gordon did just that Saturday in the Atlanta Motor Speedway media center.
Gordon was asked to reflect on his photo-finish loss to Kevin Harvick in March 2001, just three weeks after Dale Earnhardt had died in a crash at the Daytona 500.
"At the time, I was really wanting to be the spoiler," Gordon said. "Looking back, it was a special moment for our sport. It was just meant to be. Now I'm kind of glad I didn't win that race that day."
That race and its thrilling photo finish was recently recognized as one of the most memorable moments in Atlanta Motor Speedway's 50 years of racing.
A whole lot of racing for one low price awaits fans on Saturday
An overwhelming serving of racing awaits fans purchasing tickets to Saturday's Great Clips 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race not only features multiple attention-grabbing storylines, but also a day filled with NASCAR track activity for one affordable price that will be capped off by that night's Nationwide Series race. Tickets for the Great Clips 300, available for as low as $30, not only allow fans to see the Great Clips 300, but also two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice sessions, Nationwide Series qualifying and Sprint Cup qualifying. Also, all kids 12 and under are admitted free if accompanied by an adult general admission ticket.
Fans with tickets to the Great Clips 300 can also see some of the best drivers in all of NASCAR battle it out under the lights for a low price! A total of 14 full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers are entered the Great Clips 300 – including last September's Sprint Cup winner at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kasey Kahne. In addition to Nationwide Series points leaders Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth will also be among the drivers racing. Kenseth is no stranger to success on Atlanta's fast, high banks. In 10 Nationwide Series starts at Atlanta, Kenseth has two wins, seven top-fives, eight top-10s and one pole award.
And speaking of Edwards and Keselowski, the Great Clips 300 will mark both drivers' first race at Atlanta Motor Speedway since the late-race incident in March's Kobalt Tools 500 when Edwards made contact with Keselowski, whose car went airborne.
There will be no shortage of excitement Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. And for just $30, you can be here to see it!
It's Finally Here! Race Weekend Is Upon Us at Atlanta!
After months of waiting, the time has finally arrived! You've planned for this. You've made your list of what to bring and mapped out your weekend of racing under the lights at NASCAR's fastest track. Well, you have to wait no longer - Labor Day Night Racing is back at Atlanta Motor Speedway. There's just something special about a race track as a race weekend begins - the air is filled with the smoke of grills and cookers in the early morning, and fans are already enjoying being here at the track! We've dubbed this weekend the Biggest Labor Day Party in the USA, and we'll be starting it out with a bang tonight with the Friday Fan Fest Presented by Your Georgia Best Chevy Dealers!
We'll have Q&As with Jeff Burton, David Ragan and Clint Bowyer, a concert by Drivin' N Cryin and a 150-lap late model race on the 1/4-mile track on our frontstretch!
Admission is free if you have a Saturday or Sunday NASCAR ticket. Otherwise, it's just $10!
Looking to know what's going on this weekend? Be sure to check out this link for a schedule of track activity, known driver appearances, the Coca-Cola Fan Stage schedule and a listing of who is set up in the vendor display lot!
And of course, we have tickets available for you to be part of this unforgettable weekend of night racing! Just call our ticket office at 877-9-AMS-TIX or go to www.atlantamotorspeedway.com!
Great Weather On The Way For Labor Day Weekend at AMS!
We already know that the racing will be great this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend with three nights of racing, capped off by the Emory Healthcare 500. We already know that the atmosphere will be great this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway with all the fun, tailgating and activities at the Coca-Cola Fan Stage that'll include concerts by Drivin' N Cryin' and Colt Ford. And now, it appears that the weather this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be nothing short of fantastic. One look at this weekend's weather forecast indicates that the weather will be nothing short of great, with partly cloudy or sunny skies and little chance of rain.
According to weather.com, Friday's high will be 95 with a low of 68. Saturday's high is forecast to be 85 with a low of 62 with Sunday's high expected to be 85 with a low temperature of 62 degrees. And best of all, there is currently a zero percent chance of rain all three days!
Brian Neudorff, a meteorologist in Rochester, NY who is also known as an unofficial "NASCAR Weatherman," offers this analysis of this week's weather patterns at Atlanta Motor Speedway on his NASCAR weather blog.
"With the exception of a weak cool front that crosses Georgia Friday night into Saturday there doesn’t seem to be much to talk about. That front will be dry, there may be a few more clouds during the day Friday and behind the front, cooler less humid air will arrive for the weekend."
It's shaping up to be a great weekend here at Atlanta Motor Speedway, even as far as Mother Nature is concerned! So come on out and join us for the Largest Labor Day Party in the USA!
For As Low As $69, You Can See Three Nights of Racing
Few things in all of sports match the thrill , excitement and all-out energy of night racing. Throw in night racing being on the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway, and there's a recipe for something you just cannot afford to miss out on being part of! Even better? That you don't have to break open the piggy bank to be at Atlanta Motor Speedway for a weekend of night racing! For as low as $69, you can see three nights of racing, plus get a free breakfast on Monday Morning! It'll be the largest Labor Day Party in the USA, and you cannot afford to miss out on it! NASCAR's best drivers will be here. An incredible atmosphere will be here. The only thing missing is you!
At prices starting at $39, you can be at Atlanta Motor Speedway to see the best drivers in all of NASCAR tackle Atlanta's high-speed surface for 500 miles under the lights! Be here as sparks fly and the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seek to be the first driver to the checkered flag after 500 exciting miles of night racing that will leave your heart pounding with excitement!
On Saturday, tickets as low as $30 not only get you tickets to the Great Clips 300 Nationwide Series race, but also NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series qualifying and Sprint Cup practice as well! In addition, kids 12 and under get in free on Saturday with an adult general admission ticket, and there is no limit to the number of kids that can get in with each adult ticket!
And if you buy tickets to either Saturday or Sunday NASCAR events, you get in free to the Friday Fan Fest Presented by Your Georgia Best Chevy Dealers! It'll start with Q&As with NASCAR drivers David Ragan, Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer and will be hosted by Rutledge Wood of SPEED! After that, we'll have a concert by Drivin' N Cryin' and the Georgia Best Chevy Dealers 150 – a 150-lap late model race on the ¼-mile track on Atlanta Motor Speedway's frontstretch!
Now, you probably think when the Emory Healthcare 500 ends, it's the finish of race weekend. But it won't be over! Monday morning, from 7 to 9 a.m., we're inviting all fans with Emory Healthcare 500 tickets to Breakfast on Bruton, a free breakfast in the Nationwide Series garage in appreciation to our fans for their support over the past 50 years!
For just $69, you can three nights of racing plus a free breakfast! You'd be hard-pressed to so much fun for so low of a price!
Make sure you are here for the Largest Labor Day Party in the USA! Call 877-9-AMS-TIX or go to www.atlantamotorspeedway.com!
The Top 10 Reasons To Be At Atlanta on Labor Day Weekend!
Can you feel it? The anticipation is building! Like a fire that gets warmer the closer you get to it, the excitement is rising as NASCAR Night Racing's return to Atlanta Motor Speedway gets even closer! The Emory Healthcare 500 will be the highlight of the biggest Labor Day party in the USA, and you don't want to miss it! And for as low as $39, you can get your seats for the Emory Healthcare 500! And if you want to sit on the frontstretch, those tickets are just $59! To ensure that you are here, in person for night racing at Atlanta, call 877-9-AMS-TIX or go to www.atlantamotorspeedway.com. To help you get stoked for race weekend, here are the top 10 reasons to be at AMS on Labor Day weekend!
10. No commercials! Have you ever been watching a race only to have the action interrupted by a commercial on TV? No worries at Atlanta Motor Speedway! If you're at the track, it means that there are no breaks in the action since you are there live!
9. Three days of racing for $69! For just $69, you can take in three days of racing! For a combined price of $69, you can get tickets to the Great Clips 300 and the Emory Healthcare 500! Plus, tickets to either Saturday or Sunday get you into the Friday Fan Fest Presented by Your Georgia Best Chevy Dealers! The Fan Fest includes NASCAR driver Q&As, a Drivin' N Cryin' Concert and a 150-lap late model race featuring the Southern Superstars Short Track Series!
8. The Pre-Race Party featuring a concert by Foreigner! The legendary rock band will be firing up the crowd with a rockin' concert that will get fans hot-blooded for the Emory Healthcare 500! After that, it'll be time for Sprint Cup Series driver introductions! Stagefront passes are $49!
7. Great finishes! Atlanta is renowned for its thrilling finishes to its races. Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Sr. have each won in photo-finishes at AMS – you don't want to miss the next one!
6. Have a driver that you can't stand? There's always a chance that they'll have their night end early.
5. Kids FREE on Saturday! If you have kids 12 and under, they get in free on Saturday to the Great Clips 300 if accompanied by an adult general admission ticket! Plus, there's no limit to the number of kids you can bring!
4. Free Breakfast! Your Emory Healthcare 500 tickets admit you to Monday's Breakfast on Bruton, a free breakfast thanking fans for their support of Atlanta Motor Speedway!
3. Being with more than 100,000 of your closest friends, whether it's in the grandstands, tailgating or camping!
2. The anticipation as the field takes the green flag. You've waited all weekend for it, and as you see the pace car duck off and the field work its way through turn four, few things can match the excitement knowing that it's time for the green flag!
1. Being part of one of the most exciting things in NASCAR – night racing! The air is cooler, the light reflects off the cars and the atmosphere is electric!
Come On Out To Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bring The Kids!
Every single one of us working here at Atlanta Motor Speedway, no matter what we do, are in the line of work we're in because we're passionate about racing. We have a genuine love not only for the sport of stock car racing, but for giving each of you a first-class experience whenever you make a decision to join us for a race. But that passion had to start somewhere, and for many of us it began when we were young. All it took for us, and many fans to be hooked on racing was getting exposed to it when we were young. That's why we're so excited about our NASCAR Fans of Tomorrow ticket special for the Great Clips 300!
If you have kids 12 and under, they get into the race free if accompanied by an adult general admission ticket. Plus, there's no limit to the number of kids that you can have with you that get in free, so bring the entire cub scout group, sports team or any other group of kids 12 and under if you wish!
As Labor Day approaches, we are getting more and more exciting about welcome many of our fans for the Biggest Labor Day Party USA, whether they be young or young at heart!
President's Blog: Getting Ready For The Big Party
Hey everyone! This is Ed Clark, President and General Manager of Atlanta Motor Speedway! Well, it's June, the time that some of us like to grill out, spend time with family or just have a good time! But the times we have during the summer are nothing compared to what will happen on Labor Day weekend right here at Atlanta Motor Speedway! When NASCAR returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway, it won't just mean that night racing is back in Atlanta. It'll mean that finally, after months of waiting, it will be time for the biggest Labor Day party in the USA! If there's one thing that we saw last September, it's that there is far more to a weekend at the track than the racing alone..
The overall experience is what makes a race weekend fun for our fans! We saw it last year with our fans starting to arrive nearly two weeks before the race itself. These fans were here not just for a race, they were here for all that comes with being at the track on a race weekend – the gathering around a grill where all of your friends are cooking up their favorite foods, making new friends and seeing some old ones and just have a great time all around!
Last September, our fans sent a clear message that they just enjoyed being at the track. So in response to that, we've made the weekend bigger and better! On Friday, we'll have a fan event that will include a concert, interactive activities for fans and a 150-lap late model race! We want to make race weekend as much of a fun experience for our fans as possible. Staging Friday's event is just another part of our goal of doing that. Plus, admission to Friday's event is free if you have tickets to either the Great Clips 300 or the Sprint Cup Series race. Otherwise, fans can get in for just $10!
Here at Atlanta Motor Speedway, we see our Labor Day race weekend as not just a race, but as an event. Of all events throughout the country, this is the one going on that you cannot afford to miss out! You won't want to be sitting around on the Monday following our race weekend wishing you had been a part of it! Plan to join us for the biggest Labor Day party in the USA!
And it's easier than ever to be here! Sprint Cup Series tickets start at just $39!
Last week, we announced that Foreigner would be playing at the pre-race concert prior to the Sprint Cup Series night race. We spent some time with the band last week and I'll tell you this much – from what we saw from them, they will be putting on one heck of a show on Labor Day weekend! Plus, these guys are pretty big race fans as well! You won't want to miss it!
We are placing a lot of emphasis on creating atmosphere around the racing on Labor Day weekend. Having a band of the caliber of Foreigner here will undoubtedly play a big role in doing that!
Fans can watch the pre-race concert from stagefront and get a close-up view of driver introductions with a pre-race party pass for just $49! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to not only see a legendary rock band from a great point of view, but also see your favorite driver from a pretty close vantage point as well!
In case you can't tell, we're all very excited about the Labor Day night race weekend! We hope that you, like all of us, are making big plans for the weekend just like we are. We are continuing to make this the largest event in the history of Atlanta Motor Speedway and hope that you will join us for the Largest Labor Day Celebration in the USA!
I hope to see you at the track very soon! If you see me, be sure to say hello and feel free to pass along any suggestions of what we can do a better job of!
See You At The Track!
Ed
Get to Know an AMS Employee!
It takes so many things to make Atlanta Motor Speedway work. From the ticket takers and security staff to the safety workers and even those in the corporate offices, so many people play a role in making AMS function each day. Here's a chance to get to know one of them, Ted Austad!
What is your job title?
Special Events & Promotions Coordinator
How long have you been at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
I've been here for four years full-time and for three years part-time.
Briefly describe what you do at the track.
I develop special events or lease the facility for special events, as well as coordinate in-market promotions for the speedway
What was your first race at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
1998 NAPA 500 when I was working for 600 Racing which is now known US Legends Cars International.
How did you end up at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
I worked with the speedway in the late 1990's developing the Legends Car Series, Thursday Thunder and introducing the Bandolero Car. I then returned to the speedway as a part time announcer for the Thursday Thunder in summer of 2003 and then also for the NASCAR weekends in fall of 2004.
What's your most vivid memory of Atlanta Motor Speedway?
Opening night of Friday Night Drags in July 2006. We were expecting around 1,000 and we stopped counting at 4,000. It was pretty crazy!
What's the favorite thing about your job?
Watching family and friends enjoy an event at the speedway. There is not a better feeling than seeing someone enjoy an event that you helped create, promote or plan.
What's something that typical fans may not know about Atlanta Motor Speedway?
There are two graveyards within the 872 acres which encompasses Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Do you have any hobbies or other activities that you take part in away from the track that you'd like to share?
I play ice hockey on a regular basis and also collect beer cans.
Friday Night Drags Off To a Roaring Start, Resumes May 14
If the opening night of Friday Night Drags showed us one thing it is this - that our local fans love their drag racing!
Although it was not a points night, that didn't prevent a fantastic crowd of both spectators and competitors for the first night of Friday Night Drags in 2010. A crowd of spectators of nearly 5,000 witnessed the return of both Friday Night Drags and the Show-N-Shine. By comparison, Friday's crowd would have ranked among the top four crowds from a year ago, but it was the middle of the summer before we saw crowds in 2009 on the level of this past Friday. So a big thank you to our fans for not only coming out for the opening night of drags, but for also sticking with us throughout the night!
One thing is for sure - it figures to be an exciting summer of drag racing on Friday Nights!
Drag racing resumes May 14 and May 21 and the points opener is June 4!
Atlanta a Big Part of Earnhardt's History
In many ways, it's hard not to think of Atlanta Motor Speedway and have Dale Earnhardt Sr. come to mind.
In fact, a quick stroll around the AMS corporate offices reveals memories of Earnhardt Sr. After all, his nine victories at Atlanta Motor Speedway remain the most of any driver in NASCAR history.
So with the arrival of late April, a special time of year for Earnhardt's fans with what would have been his birthday rolling around, it's worth nothing that many of Earnhardt's career highlights came at
Atlanta.
"Dale loved racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was always a fast track, in both of its configurations, and it suited his style of driving - all out," Childress said earlier this year. "He won in 1980 and 2000 and seven times in between. The No. 3 team went to the racetrack with the belief that the trophy and the prize money was ours and the success we had at Atlanta gave us a little more swagger when we walked through the gates."
In the main conference room at the Speedway, where many meetings amongst the AMS staff take place, two large pictures adorn the wall - one of Earnhardt's photo-finish victory over Bobby Labonte in 2000 and a similar finish from a year later when Kevin Harvick edged Jeff Gordon in another photo-finish.
"The 2000 win was vintage Dale, racing hard with Bobby Labonte to the checkered flag and never giving an inch," Childress said. "The 2001 win with Kevin was such an emotional victory. We were all so numb from the loss of Dale. But with some extra help from above, Kevin did a great job behind the wheel and brought home the win."
That 2001 finish still sticks heavy for many of our staff that were here then. AMS President and GM Ed Clark still recalls the post-race celebration, when many fans just kept cheering and cheering after the race - one that came three races after Earnhardt Sr.'s untimely death at the Daytona 500.
But there was much more to Earnhardt's career at AMS than his dramatic 2000 victory. Take, for instance, in 1995 when he won at AMS in the No. 3 car in a race completed in three hours, three minutes and three seconds. How's that for hitting the numbers?
Atlanta's placement on the Cup schedule as the season's final race for a number of years also created many a fond memory for Earnhardt and his many fans. AMS hosting the season finale up until 2001 meant that each season's championship was celebrated and sometimes clinched at Atlanta. That means that Atlanta was usually a fun place for any driver when it came time to celebrate a championship, and that included the No. 3 team.
Get To Know An AMS Employee!
Ever wanted to get to know some of staff of Atlanta Motor Speedway, find out more about some of those that keep the Speedway going? Well look no further!
This installment of the Atlanta Motor Speedway staff Q & A features Monica Donaldson, a ticket office supervisor here at AMS!
What is your job title?
Ticket office Supervisor.
How long have you been at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
I was part-time for one year and I've been here full-time for three years.
Briefly describe what you do at the track.
Assist with ticket sales and customer service to assure every fan has a memorable experience. I also create training manuals to assist ticket office staff and compile information on prices in a brochure to provide to customers. I also search for local hotels to join us in offering our fans great rates during their stay and assist with other events when needed.
What was your first race at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
Friday night drags 2006.
How did you end up at Atlanta Motor Speedway?
I had previously worked in banking operations for over 13 years. I later received an offer to become a part of a great team here at AMS. I must have been in the right place at the right time.
What's your most vivid memory of Atlanta Motor Speedway?
My first ride around the track in the pace car was full of excitement and fear at the same time. This ride was a complete adrenaline rush as I thought we would crash and hit the walls riding into the turns. The driver stopped the car between turns 1 and 2 and I was so afraid the car would just tip over because the car seemed to be on its side. To gather your own experience call our gift shop that offers daily tours including your ride around the track!
What's the favorite thing about your job?
An opportunity to interact with fans from around the world. Helping customers achieve an unforgettable experience and make them feel a part of our team here at AMS.
What's something that typical fans may not know about Atlanta Motor Speedway?
We are open year around with different events throughout the year. We offer non event camping for $35 a night full hookup and $25 a night for dry camping.
Do you have any hobbies or other activities that you take part in away from the track that you'd like to share?
Hanging out with friends and family. I enjoy listening to karaoke (not singing karaoke, though!), movies, and relaxing at the beach.
Spring Has Sprung...And So Has The Excitement!
You can tell by the warmer temperatures and pollen that spring is here, bringing anticipation of excitement with it...
While the yellow pollen may not be a welcome sight, one thing that is welcome is that it means we're getting closer and closer to lots of excitement during the coming months at Atlanta Motor Speedway!
Sure it's around five months away, but we're building toward the Labor Day weekend night race! We're making preparations on many fronts, even though it's only April, to give our fans a fantastic and first-class experience when they arrive here in September to see racing under the lights on one of racing's most exciting tracks!
But before September gets here, there will still be plenty of racing going on with our summer racing series! Friday Night Drags, heads-up drag racing on pit road, starts April 30 and the first points night is June 4. We've got an exciting schedule planned - including some new Show-N-Shine classes! Spectator entry for Friday Night Drags is just $7.
Competitors pay $20 to drag race or enter the Show-N-Shine, or a combo-ticket to enter both can be purchased for $30. Outside parking is free and infield parking is $20.
And then on Thursday Nights, Thursday Thunder is back - the first race is June 3. Folks, this is racing at the grassroots, small track level! Some of today's NASCAR stars such as Joey Logano and David Ragan began to carve out their racing careers at Thursday Thunder, and you never know what future star you might see! Plus with all the fun promotions, it's a great way to have a night out with the family! Tickets are $5 and kids ages 6-11 get in for $1!
No matter what form of racing you prefer, you're going to want to be here during the next few months. See you at the track!
Penske Teams Still Riding Momentum From Atlanta
For the second straight year, Atlanta Motor Speedway is turning out to be a springboard for the cars housed in the Penske Racing stable.
A year ago, Kurt Busch dominated the Kobalt Tools 500, picking up a win that gave the No. 2 team momentum for the rest of the season, a boost that helped it finish the season fourth in the final points standings.
Now, a year later, Atlanta is giving the Penske organization another boost early in the season. Like a year ago, Kurt Busch is riding early season momentum following an Atlanta victory. He had one of the top cars this past weekend in Bristol and led the most laps, eventually finishing third. But the Atlanta success has trickled down throughout Penske Racing.
In last weekend's Nationwide Race at Bristol, Penske swept the top two finishing positions with Justin Allgaier picking up his first Nationwide win and Brad Keselowski finishing second. Then, on Sunday, Keselowski and Sam Hornish Jr. were able to put together strong performances, although Hornish's day ended on a sour note as a result of engine problems. Keselowski finished 13th, a season-high.
Positive momentum is a very important thing in racing. And it's producing a lot of it for drivers at Penske Racing when they race at Atlanta Motor Speedway each spring.
Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale To Fill Garage Area At AMS
If you're a fan of finding great deals at consignment sales, then you won't want to miss this event at Atlanta Motor Speedway!
Just weeks after housing high-speed trucks during the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend, Atlanta Motor Speedway's NASCAR Nationwide Series garage will be transformed into a 22,000 square foot showroom for the Sweet Repeats consignment sale from Thursday, March 25 through Saturday, March 27.
The Sweet Repeats sale at Atlanta Motor Speedway will feature nearly 50,000 items that include books, furniture, children's' items and more with many items priced at bargain rates. There is no admission cost to attend the event.
The NASCAR Nationwide garage is located in the Atlanta Motor Speedway Infield and patrons are advised to enter the Infield at the Main Tunnel entrance off Speedway Boulevard.
The Sweet Repeats sale will take place from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 27.
See You In September!
Thanks for a great race everyone! What an exciting race weekend it was at Atlanta Motor Speedway!
The Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend produced exciting racing and good times, and we have our fans to thank for that! We hope to see all of you that joined us, and those who were unable to be with us - here at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend when night racing returns to Atlanta!
We'll have the Nationwide Series on Saturday, Sept 4. Then, on Sept. 5, it's the Sprint Cup Series night race!
See ya'll in September!
It's all about the atmosphere!
One of the best parts of a day at the racetrack is the racing. But there is so much more to it than that...
That is especially true here at Atlanta Motor Speedway as we get ready for the Kobalt Tools 500! Throughout the weekend, we'll have no shortage of activity for our fans outside the track!
We'll have driver souvenir rigs (located in the parking lot behind the Champions Grandstand), where you can buy your favorite driver's shirt, cap or other collectables and also get some Kobalt Tools 500 gear! Also, some drivers will be signing autographs at their souvenir haulers - check the white markerboards at each trailer to see if and when a driver is signing during race weekend!
So far, the following drivers are scheduled to sign autographs. But also be sure to check the white dry-erase board at each souvenir rig to see if a driver is signing autographs during the weekend, as many signings are announced at the last minute.
Sam Hornish Jr. 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Penske Souvenir trailer
Ricky Carmichael, 11 a.m., Friday, Team Chevy Display
Jamie McMurray's pit crew, 10:15 a.m., Sunday, Team Chevy display
David Ragan, 9:40 a.m., Sunday, UPS Souvenir Rig
Kurt Busch, 9:45 a.m., Sunday, Miller Lite Souvenir Rig
And just to the side of the souvenir rigs is the display lot (behind the Earnhardt Grandstands)! Here is where we'll have the Cornhole Tournament - the Scotts Turfbuilder Cornhole Classic all three days during race weekend with the finals on Sunday. The overall winner takes home $500 and four suite tickets to our Labor Day race!
This area is also where you will find the Speedway Children's Charities tent, which is where you can find info on charity events during race weekend including Sunday's Coca-Cola Family Track Walk! This is free if you have a race ticket! The walk begins at 9 a.m., so be registered by 8:45 a.m.!
In this same area will be the fan stage, where we'll have music from bands such as Blackberry Smoke, games, entertainment and meet and greets with celebrities including Paul Sr. from Orange County Choppers and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour drivers Burt and Jason Myers! The Myers Bros. will sign autographs around 11:15 a.m. Saturday.
Paul Sr. will sign autographs around 11: a.m. Sunday. Shortly after, we'll have the Olympic Bobsleds teams on site for a fan q and a!
Also in this area will be the SPEED Stage! This is where Trackside will be aired Friday with special guests Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr.
Other SPEED stage events include:
Friday
12:00 PM NASCAR Live - Hosted by John Roberts
5:00 PM NASCAR Live - Hosted by John Roberts
6:00 PM SPEED Autograph Session - With SPEED Truck Series Talent
6:30 PM - NASCAR Smarts- With John Roberts, Kyle Petty, and Rutledge Wood
8:00 PM Trackside - Hosted by Steve Byrnes, Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond, and Darrell Waltrip
Guests: Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr.
Saturday
11:50 AM NASCAR Live - Hosted by John Roberts
8:00 PM - Fast Track to Fame - Be the first to see a LIVE taping of SPEED's brand new show!
Singers, dancers, comedians and a whole lot more perform in front of three judges, including Riki Rachtman, a former rock star and host of radio's NASCAR 24/7; Hollywood talent manager Kathy L. Carter, and a special guest judge. The show will be hosted by Michael Waltrip and Fox on-air personality Charissa Thompson
Sunday
9:00 AM PRN up to SPEED - Hosted by Doug Rice and Brad Gillie with special NASCAR Guests
10:00 AM NASCAR RaceDay - Hosted by John Roberts, Kenny Wallace, Kyle Petty, Wendy Venturini and Hermie Sadler
Excellent Weather Ahead for Race Weekend!
Oh welcome sweet springtime, we greet thee with racing!
If you live in the South, you have likely endured a cold winter. But this weekend, springtime temperatures are rolling in, and it's just in time for racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway! Don't let weather scare you from joining us for the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend, because the weather forecast looks fantastic!
The latest forecast from accuweather.com calls for spring-like temperatures with little chance of rain, which should make race weekend all the more fun for all of our fans.
Sunny weather is predicted for all three days of race weekend with Friday's high being 52, Saturday's high temperature being 62 and for Sunday....a high of 70 degrees!
In fact, Brian Neudorff, who refers to himself as 'an unofficial Twitter Meteorologist for NASCAR" had this to say on Tuesday, March 2 about the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend: "This may be the best looking weekend we've seen for any race this season."
In other words, it looks to be a beautiful weekend for racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway!
Race Week Is Here!
One of the neatest things about working at Atlanta Motor Speedway is how the track evolves as the race gets closer...
Just within the past couple of days, the track has changed from a quiet facility to a sleeping giant waiting to explode. With a quick look out our windows facing Highway 19/41, we can easily see the unreserved campground close to full with a handful of other RVs scattered throughout the facility.
On the backs of grandstands, banners are hung, with images of Dale Earnhardt Sr., Richard Petty and Bill Elliott marking the grandstands named for them. Inside the track itself, the lines on pit road are freshly painted, and Kobalt banners are also being put up...including a massive one on top of the Sprint Cup Series garage.
Yes, that time has arrived. It's race week at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and we can't wait to welcome many of our fans back! Even more exciting is the weekend weather forecast which calls for high temperatures in the 60s with little chance of rain. That's certainly welcome news after the cold winter many of us have endured!
As the sun rises on the Kobalt Tools 500 race week, we're rolling out the welcome mat for many of you and cannot wait to see many of our fans, from the veterans of AMS to the first-timers, this weekend!
See you at the track!
Looking For a Place To Stay? Check These Folks Out!
If you are traveling long distances to a race, finding a place to stay can at times be stressful...
Let's face it - you're away from home and not only are looking to find a place to crash, but also one that's reasonably priced.
One of our employees at AMS has told us the story of when he and about 10 friends went to the Sugar Bowl and shared one hotel room to save money. When hotel room prices are higher, it certainly can make it hard for some fans.
But that's where our hotel partners come in! Atlanta Motor Speedway has partnered with area hotels that have agreed to keep their prices down in order to make it easier on fans' cash flow on race weekend!
Hotels as close as Griffin and as far away as Macon are participating, and rooms are priced as low as $59! To see a list of our partner hotels, go to this link!
Atlanta to be a big holder of momentum
Ask anyone, especially in racing, and they will be quick to tell you that momentum is an important thing...
For many teams in NASCAR, building momentum to start the season can be important, especially if they have championship aspirations. If a team starts the season with a handful of good finishes, it can pave the way to a good season.
If a team starts the season on the wrong foot, however, it can make things worse.
And with the Kobalt Tools 500 being the fourth race of the season, it will be especially important for teams seeking a rebound. Let's take Ryan Newman, for example. Two DNFs have put his team in a deep early hole. A strong run in Atlanta would help cure some of those ills. Dale Earnhardt Jr. could also use a strong finish in Atlanta. As good as it was for him to finish second at Daytona, mechanical issues in California set the No. 88 team back, and they will likely be looking to Atlanta as a means to rebound.
Sure, the Kobalt Tools 500 may be early in the season. But drivers sure do have a lot at stake when they come to Atlanta each spring. This year's event is no different.
The Heat is Picking Up
More and more, you can tell race weekend is getting closer at Atlanta Motor Speedway...
It's hard to believe, but within a few short weeks, it'll be time for the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. You can, undoubtedly, tell that race weekend is getting closer with a quick look around the AMS facility.
Everyone has a little more buzz in their step in anticipation of race weekend and all that goes with it. There is an aura of excitement right now around Atlanta Motor Speedway. There is much to do, but there is also so much to get excited about!
Part of that is a result of some exciting promotions we have going on.
Many of our fans have asked about our Daytona promotion that we have done the past two years. Well, it's back! On the morning of Feb. 15, we'll sell a total of 2,000 tickets priced at the winning Daytona 500 car number (1,000 at our ticket office and 1,000 more online and via phone). Also, the price will be capped at $50 to commemorate our 50th Anniversary, so don't despair if Carl Edwards wins the Daytona 500!
Also, one lucky fan in line to buy tickets Monday morning will have a chance to celebrate in Victory Lane at the Kobalt Tools 500!
For full info on our Daytona Racing Roulette ticket sale, go here!
As the race gets closer, we'll have more cool promotions for our fans to announce, so stay tuned!
"It's just an awesome racetrack."
One of the best things about Atlanta Motor Speedway, according to many, is that drivers are able to race the high and low line all around the racetrack...
In other words, there is more than just one preferred line around Atlanta Motor Speedway's lightning-fast surface !
Clint Bowyer is among those who looks forward to racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where the track's surface lends itself to two, three and in some cases, four-wide racing.
"It's just an awesome racetrack, it's a racer's racetrack. There are a lot of grooves that you can run on - you're running on the bottom, you're running on the rim. There are just so many options that you can run and that you think you have to run," Bowyer said. "You can catch somebody and they're running on the bottom and they're holding you up, you ain't going to get around them, you've got to go outside and start looking around and a place like Atlanta gives you those options and to be able to do that and make a pass."
Don't miss out on seeing the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series go wide-open at the Kobalt Tools 500 March 7, 2010 at Atlanta Motor Speedway! Tickets start at $39 and are available through 877-9-AMS-TIX or through the AMS Web site.
Pros and Cons of Rear Wing Debated During Tire Test
Should the rear wing be removed? That issue was discussed by Carl Edwards and Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Mark Martin, on Tuesday at AMS.
Edwards and Gustafson discussed the Pros and Cons of the rear wing of the current car raced by NASCAR in the Sprint Cup Series.
The comments came during a break in the first day of a Goodyear tire test at Atlanta Motor Speedway. While Gustafson touted some qualities of the rear spoiler, Edwards spoke in favor of anything that will take downforce away from the car.
Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Aflac Ford:
"I think whatever [NASCAR] can do to take downforce away is great for the sport, great for the racing and good for the fans. Atlanta is one of the last tracks where you can really manhandle a car, drive and slide the car sideways. Taking downforce away will make more tracks like that, which is good."
Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Mark Martin's No. 5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet:
"Aesthetically, I like the spoiler. I grew up watching cars with a spoiler on there. I think it aesthetically makes sense. But I think we just have to be careful; we have refined these cars now to where they drive good with a good aero balance. We can't throw that away for the aesthetics of the spoiler, so we have to make sure performance wise that the aerodynamic balance of the car is similar or better than what we have now."
Tire Testing Cranks Up 2010 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
At 9:31 a.m., Mark Martin made it official. When he took the track as at the start of a Goodyear Tire Test, it officially started racing in 2010 at AMS.
Although the first of two NASCAR weekends at AMS isn't until March 5-7, stock cars rumbled around the track Jan. 12, the first of two days of tire testing aimed at helping Goodyear come up wit h the right tire compound for races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Martin is one of four drivers testing - the others are Sam Hornish Jr., Martin Truex Jr. and Carl Edwards.
The test comes at a good time for drivers such as Martin and Edwards, who appeared in high spirits just before the day's activity began - emotions not much unlike the faces of youngsters on Christmas morning.
Thanks to temperatures in the mid-30s, all drivers benefited from stronger grip than they will likely see in March and therefore turned faster laps.
It may be just a testing session. But cars on the race track in January mean one thing - the season is not too far away!
Reality TV To Come Alive at Atlanta Motor Speedway
For about the past ten years, the reality TV craze has swept the country. But that reality will make its way to Atlanta Motor Speedway in March.
Sunday Jan. 11 will mark the premiere of "Madhouse" a History Channel reality series centered around modified series racers competing at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. Video previews about the series, background on the drivers and even more may be found here.
But here's how this show is different than other reality shows. Unlike other programs, some of the people you will see are live right here in the real world. In fact, some of them will likely be coming to Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Kobalt Tools 500 weekend! On March 5, following Georgia Power Qualifying Night, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour will race for 150 laps on AMS' quarter-mile Thunder Ring!
If you want a preview of the drivers, cars, excitement and passion of these modified racers, then tuning in is an absolute must! Think of it - for just $20 you can see qualifying under the lights followed by some heart-pounding modified racing!
Plus - given that it's January, what more to whet your appetite for racing during the offseason than a tv series about racing?
Arrival of 2010 Means Things Are Heating Up at AMS
The champagne glasses have been toasted. Many a blackeyed peas have likely been consumed. Yes, the year 2010 has arrived.
And the arrival of a new year means that racing is closer to cranking back up at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
After a holiday break, we're back at work at the AMS offices. It's hard to believe, but in just over two months, NASCAR's biggest names will be in town for the Kobalt Tools 500 weekend March 5-7, a weekend that will hit its climax with the Kobalt Tools 500.
Indeed, we're getting ready for the race weekend here at AMS and look forward to seeing some old and new faces here in March. We can't wait!
But it's not just the approaching race weekend that has things moving ahead. On Jan. 12-13, the rumble of stock car engines will rattle the vacant grandstands and cause the windows at our offices overlooking the track to shake when four drivers will be at AMS for a Goodyear tire test. The tire test is closed to the public.
Scheduled to be here are Martin Truex Jr., Sam Hornish Jr., last year's Sprint Cup Series runner-up Mark Martin and three-time Atlanta Cup winner Carl Edwards.
The test will give each driver, one representing each manufacturer competing in the Cup series, valuable information about how Goodyear's tires react to the quick 1.54-mile racing surface at AMS.
Be sure to keep an eye on Atlantamotorspeedway.com as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates during the tire test and as race weekend gets closer.
2001 Race Voted One of Decade's Best
The March 2001 Cracker Barrel 500 has been named one the decade's top races by NASCAR's media members...
NASCAR recently polled its media members on the top moments and performances of the past decade. The 2001 Atlanta race, in which Kevin Harvick picked up his first career Cup victory by a razor-thin margin of .006 seconds ahead of Jeff Gordon, was voted the third-best race of the decade.
Harvick's victory came three races after the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr., who Harvick replaced.
The top two races were the October 2000 Talladega Superspeedway race and the March 2003 finish between Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch at Darlington Raceway.
Three-time Atlanta Motor Speedway winner Jimmie Johnson was named top Sprint Cup Series driver of the decade with two other drivers with wins at AMS, Harvick and Ron Hornaday Jr., being named the respective top drivers of the decade in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.
Get your tickets to see what could be the next great peformance in the NASCAR history for the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend March 5-7, 2010. Frontstretch tickets start at $59.
Johnson's Award Speaks Highly of Drivers Racing at AMS
Chalk up another honor for three-time Atlanta Motor Speedway winner Jimmie Johnson...
Jimmie Johnson, who last month made history by winning his fourth Sprint Cup Series championship in a row, has made history again. Johnson has been named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. He's the first race car driver to receive the honor.
Indeed, Johnson winning this award gives him, NASCAR and all of the sport's fans something to crow about. Consider this: Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Mike Tyson and Brett Favre are among the athletes to not be named the Male Athlete of the Year by the AP.
For Johnson to win this award speaks well of Johnson and the rest of the drivers currently competing in NASCAR.
"We'd like to congratulate Jimmie Johnson for winning the Male Athlete of the Year award," Atlanta Motor Speedway President and GM Ed Clark said. "Him winning this award speaks very highly of not only Jimmie and the No. 48 team, but the sport of NASCAR overall."
To some ardent fans of stick and ball sports, NASCAR drivers are not seen as athletes. With Johnson winning this honor, those folks' argument holds very little water now.
Johnson's racing career includes 47 wins, three of which have come at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In 2007, he swept both races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Come see Jimmie Johnson seek to add another victory to his trophy case on March 7, 2010 at the Kobalt Tools 500. Tickets start at $39 and are priced as low as $59 on the frontstretch.
Patrick Wouldn't be First Female to Race at AMS
It's unknown whether or not Danica Patrick will race in one of Atlanta Motor Speedway's NASCAR events this season...
If she does, however, Patrick won't be the first female to race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In fact, a handful of other drivers have taken on the high banks of AMS and are part of the track's storied history.
Shawna Robinson's Cup career included a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In March 2002, she started 31st and finished 34th. She also claimed the pole position for a Nationwide Series race at AMS in 1994 and finished 17th in the March 1995 Nationwide race at AMS.
Although not in NASCAR, Sarah Fisher remains the most successful female driver at Atlanta. In two IRL races, she finished in the top 15 each time - starting fifth and finishing 14th in 2000 and finishing 11th after starting 14th in 2001.
Patty Moise's career includes a pair of Nationwide Series stints - a finish of 24th in 1995 and a 23rd in 1998.
Finally, two others have taken on Atlanta's high-speed surface in the recent years by way of the Camping World Truck Series. Kelly Sutton has two starts, finishing 31st and 32nd in 2005 and 2004 with Tina Gordon's 2004 race at AMS ending early when she was caught up in an accident.
Be sure to keep up with the latest at Atlanta Motor Speedway by keeping up with us on Facebook and Twitter.
Give the Gift of Racing This Christmas!
The Christmas season can be a stressful time as many labor over what gifts to give friends and loved ones...
Between wondering if each person will like the gift they are given and having to fight the crowds at the shopping malls, Christmas shopping can become stressful for some.
But you can alleviate that stress by giving the gift of racing this Christmas!
With the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend coming up March 5-7, 2010, tickets are available and make great Christmas presents or even stocking stuffers! Whether you are into watching cars fly out of the backstretch and into turn three from a seat in the Elliott Grandstand or catching all of the action on the frontstretch, tickets to the race weekend make great Christmas gifts!
And the even better part is that it's very affordable. You can get Elliott Grandstand tickets for as low as $39 and seats on the frontstretch as low as $59!
Be sure to head on over to our ticket specials page or to our regular tickets page for information about all other tickets.
As always, you can stay up to date with the latest news and info from Atlanta Motor Speedway on Facebook and Twitter!
So much to be thankful for
This time of year usually means two things - an end to the NASCAR season and a time to give thanks...
And here at Atlanta Motor Speedway, we have a lot to be thankful for. During the past year, many of you have made coming to various events at AMS, big and small, part of your schedules. We thank each and everyone of you for making Atlanta Motor Speedway part of your lives this year!
This year, we've been blessed with a pair of NASCAR race weekends - and there was no shortage of exciting racing. Between Kyle Busch winning the Camping World Truck Series race and brother Kurt winning the Kobalt Tools 500 the next day - and doing his backwards victory lap - we got our first NASCAR weekend off to a start.
Then, during the summer, Thursday Thunder Legends racing on Thursday nights and Friday Night Drags took to the track, and neither disappointed. One of the highlights for our Web Staff was getting to see so many of you during that time and match names and faces.
It's also during this time when we launched our Facebook and Twitter pages. We've enjoyed getting to know many of you through these places and look forward to more of the same in 2010!
And then, on Labor Day weekend, night racing came to Atlanta! Needless to say, it was a rousing success thanks to many of you fans! From night racing under the lights, the racing on Labor Day weekend and the Pre-Race Concert Presented by the Georgia Lottery - the entire weekend was a great success! We've received tremendous feedback from many of you on what you liked and disliked from the race weekend, and we thank all of you for that! It will help us make next year's race weekends even better!
Yes, we have been blessed greatly in 2009 and have so much to be thankful for. Hopefully, we'll see many of you next year in 2010 as we seek to make it the best year of racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway!
And remember, the best way to stay plugged in is to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Fans of Tomorrow Special Great For Fans of All Ages
Sometimes we're asked how some of us at AMS got into racing. The truth is, a portion of us were bitten by the racing bug at a young age...
When we're young, some experiences can have a deep, life-long impact on us. At times, they can shape our future desires. For some of us here at Atlanta Motor Speedway, being exposed to racing as youngsters spurred us on toward a career in motorsports.
It's the same for many fans we come across. One of the fun things about race weekend here at AMS is getting to visit with fans and learning a little bit about them - how long they've been coming to races in Atlanta, who their favorite drivers are and at times...who their least favorite drivers are. Like many of us working at the Speedway, many of you became race fans after getting bitten by the racing bug at a young age.
And that's what we love so much about the NASCAR Fans of Tomorrow ticket special for the Kobalt Tools race weekend, March 5-7, 2010. We had a great response to it this past September with the Nationwide Series Degree V12 300, and we're bringing it back for the Camping World Truck Series race, the Atlanta 200 in March 6. Kids 12 and under get in free with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket.
But not only are we bringing back the Fan of Tomorrow ticket special, we're expanding it! Kids 12 and under also get in free to Georgia Power Qualifying Night on March 5 with the purchase of an adult ticket!
For information about our ticket specials, you can go here or call 877-9-AMS-TIX!
Thanks to our NASCAR Fans of Tomorrow ticket special, you can introduce the youngsters in your family to racing. Or, if you've already got some budding race fans in your household, it's a great way to have a fun time as a family for an inexpensive price!
As always, be sure to stay plugged in so you'll receive information about all things Atlanta Motor Speedway by keeping up with us on Facebook and Twitter!
Kobalt Tools 500 Will Set Tone For 2010
In racing, momentum is very important. A good finish or two in a row can get one race team on a string of success...
A couple of bad races in a row, however, can doom a team's hopes of accomplishing it's go als such as contending for a championship of qualifying for the Chase for the Championship.
And momentum can be especially key early in the season. For some teams, the way the first four-to-five races of a year go can set the tone for the rest of the season.
That is where the Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend, March 5-7, 2010, comes into play. It'll be the fourth Sprint Cup Series race of the season. A good run at AMS could set some teams up nicely for the rest of the season.
Let's take Kurt Busch, for example. After his dominant win at Atlanta this past March, he noted that the success gave his team a good boost moving forward into the rest of the season.
We'll be qualifying under the lights on Friday, March 5 with Sprint Cup Series drivers taking to the track in Georgia Power Qualifying Night.
On Saturday, March 6 we'll have Sprint Cup practice followed by the Camping World Truck Series race. If you're into the truck series or a fan of guys like Ron Hornaday Jr. or Mike Skinner, then this will be right up your alley!
And then on Sunday, it's the Kobalt Tools 500! Can Kurt Busch repeat as the race winner? Perhaps Jimmie Johnson will collect another victory. Or maybe we'll see a first-time winner visit Victory Lane. You never know what'll happen. Be sure to get your tickets to be here in person to see it first-hand!
Make plans to be at Atlanta Motor Speedway for another exciting weekend of racing! Tickets start at $39, student tickets are $19 and frontstretch tickets are $59 - while supplies last!
Be sure to follow us on Twitter and be a fan of Atlanta Motor Speedway on Facebook to get the latest updates, interact with fans and have a chance to win prizes!
NASCAR Announces First Hall of Fame Class
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Oct. 14.
The inductees include Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel, consisting of members of the Nominating Committee along with 29 others representing NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, major race track ownership groups, retired drivers, owners and crew chiefs along with motorsports media representatives, met in a closed session in Charlotte, N.C. to vote on the induction class of 2010.
The class was determined by the 51 votes cast by the panel and the nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.
The Class of 2010 will be officially inducted in a ceremony on May 23, 2010 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.
The results of the voting for the final five chosen in this inaugural class proved competitive. Also receiving votes were David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison.
As part of the inclusive voting process, more than 670,000 NASCAR fans submitted votes online at NASCAR.COM as part of the fan voting process. This remarkable fan feedback once again demonstrates fans' passion and knowledge of the sport and its heritage. The fans voted Petty, Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison as their top five.
The nominees included many of the sport's legendary names:
Bobby Allison, Buck Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt, Richie Evans, Tim Flock, Bill France Jr., Bill France Sr., Rick Hendrick, Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, Bud Moore, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Lee Petty, Richard Petty, Fireball Roberts, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Darrell Waltrip, Joe Weatherly, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame broke ground in Charlotte on Jan. 25, 2007 and will open May 11, 2010. The facility honors the history and heritage of NASCAR and the many who have contributed to the success of NASCAR.
Highlighting the Class of 2010:
Dale Earnhardt
Earnhardt co-holds the record for most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships (seven) with Richard Petty. In only his second full season, 1980, Earnhardt nabbed his first championship. He won consecutive titles on three separate occasions (1986-87, '90-91 and '93-94). Earnhardt's 76 victories rank seventh all-time.
He is the all-time leader in race victories at Daytona International Speedway with 34, though the most prominent of them was a while in the making.
In 1998, Earnhardt won his most coveted race - the Daytona 500. The scene was a memorable one, forever etched in the minds of race fans. As Earnhardt's black No. 3 rolled down pit road, a Daytona 500 winner at last, every crew member from every team lined up to congratulate one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.
Bill France Sr.
Called "Big Bill," only partly because of his 6-foot-5 stature, France spearheaded NASCAR from its beginning and directed it to its present status as the world's largest stock-car racing organization. In 1936, he helped lay out the first beach/road course in Daytona Beach; in the first race on the course he finished fifth. Starting in 1938, he helped promote races on the sands of Daytona Beach. In 1947, France became the driving force behind the establishment of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. NASCAR, it was called, resulting from a famous meeting at the Streamline Hotel on State Road A1A in Daytona Beach - a structure that stands to this day, as a racing landmark. "Big Bill" France passed away in June 1992. He left behind a lasting legacy.
Bill France Jr.
William Clifton France is remembered - and revered - as the man who followed his visionary father at NASCAR's helm, in the process becoming a visionary himself, as he guided NASCAR to unprecedented levels of popularity.
France became NASCAR's president in January 1972, replacing his father and becoming only the second president of the world's largest auto racing sanctioning body. His emergence coincided with the sport's emergence, and its eventual ascent to become America's No. 1 form of motorsports and the nation's second-most popular sport overall.
France, often referred to as "Bill Jr.," remained president until November 2000. At that time, France announced the formation of a NASCAR Board of Directors on which he served as chairman and CEO until October 2003 when he was replaced by his son, Brian Z. France. After that, he continued to serve the sport for the remainder of his life as NASCAR Vice Chairman.
Junior Johnson
Robert Glenn "Junior" Johnson is unique in NASCAR history, with tremendous success both as a driver and a car owner.
Johnson won the second annual Daytona 500 in 1960 and in the process, became credited with the discovery of "drafting" on the massive superspeedways. He won 50 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series then surprised many people by retiring from driving to become an owner. As an owner, Johnson never missed a beat; through the years, his drivers won 132 races. There also were six series championships produced with Cale Yarborough (1976-78) and Darrell Waltrip (1981-82, '85).
Named one of NASCAR's "50 Greatest Drivers" in 1998, Johnson resides in Wilkesboro, N.C., and remains one of the sport's most enduring - and endearing - personalities, at the age of 78.
Richard Petty
Known as "the King", Richard Petty's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series records are staggering: Most wins (200), most poles (123), tied for most championships (seven), most wins in a season (27), most Daytona 500 wins (seven), most consecutive wins (10) and most starts (1,185).
Petty's success continued even after his retirement from driving in 1992. He would still hold the top spot in the family business - Petty Enterprises, and now, Richard Petty Motorsports. In all, Petty Enterprises totaled 268 victories before merging with Gillett Evernham Motorsports for the 2009 season to become Richard Petty Motorsports.
- Courtesy of NASCAR
Earlier, Consistent Start Times A Huge Boost For Fans
Tired of wondering what time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race starts each week? Well, that wait is now over.
NASCAR has announced consistent and earlier starting times for all of next season's races. With the exception of the Coca-Cola 600, all races will start at either 1 p.m., 3 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. That means that the Kobalt Tools 500 on March 7, 2010 will start at 1 p.m. with the Labor Day weekend Cup race starting at 7:30 p.m.
The invocation will be at the scheduled start time for each race with the green flag dropping approximately 15-to-20 minutes later. For example, the green flag for a 1 p.m. start time would drop at 1:20 p.m.
This is a huge boost for many of you fans of NASCAR. I still remember back when I first became a race fan and would want to hurry up and get home from church just in time to see the race start. You knew, back then, what time the race was each week for the most part. Knowing when the race starts will greatly simplify the racing, making it easier for fans to keep up with the races each week.
"It's become clear to us that traditional, early Sunday afternoon, start times are favored by NASCAR fans who both attend races and watch on television," said FOX Sports Chairman David Hill. "NASCAR, perhaps more than any other sport, belongs to the generations of fans who have passed on their passion, father to son, mother to daughter, so whatever we can do to make them feel better connected to the sport they love should be done."
A big tip of the hat has to go to other track owners, NASCAR and the TV networks for working this deal out and making racing better for the fans, which is what we always strive to do here at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"NASCAR fans have been asking for earlier and more consistent start times, and we are making this change for our fans, beginning with the Daytona 500 next February," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. "We are revisiting our sport's tradition of earlier green flags, and the added consistency will make it easier for fans to know exactly when the races are being televised. Additionally, the new start times will help track operators get fans in and out of the track earlier in the evening. Many fans heading home from the race earlier will be able to eliminate the costs of an extra travel day."
Here's the race start time schedule for all of next year's Sprint Cup Series races:
Date Day RaceSite Network Start Time
Feb 14 Sun. Daytona 500 FOX 1:00 PM
Feb 21 Sun. Auto Club Speedway FOX 3:00 PM
Feb 28 Sun. Las Vegas Motor Speedway FOX 3:00 PM
Mar 7 Sun. Atlanta Motor Speedway FOX 1:00 PM
Mar 21 Sun. Bristol Motor Speedway FOX 1:00 PM
Mar 28 Sun. Martinsville Speedway FOX 1:00 PM
Apr 10 Sat. Phoenix International Raceway FOX 7:30 PM
Apr 18 Sun. Texas Motor Speedway FOX 1:00 PM
Apr 25 Sun. Talladega Superspeedway FOX 1:00 PM
May 1 Sat. Richmond International Raceway FOX 7:30 PM
May 8 Sat. Darlington Raceway FOX 7:30 PM
May 16 Sun. Dover International Speedway FOX 1:00 PM
May 30 Sun. Lowe's Motor Speedway FOX 5:45 PM
Jun 6 Sun. Pocono Raceway TNT 1:00 PM
Jun 13 Sun. Michigan International Speedway TNT 1:00 PM
Jun 20 Sun. Infineon Raceway TNT 3:00 PM
Jun 27 Sun. New Hampshire Motor Speedway TNT 1:00 PM
Jul 3 Sat. Daytona International Speedway TNT 7:30 PM
Jul 10 Sat. Chicagoland Speedway TNT 7:30 PM
Jul 25 Sun. Indianapolis Motor Speedway ESPN 1:00 PM
Aug 1 Sun. Pocono Raceway ESPN 1:00 PM
Aug 8 Sun. Watkins Glen International ESPN 1:00 PM
Aug 15 Sun. Michigan International Speedway ESPN 1:00 PM
Aug 21 Sat. Bristol Motor Speedway ESPN 7:30 PM
Sep 5 Sun. Atlanta Motor Speedway ESPN 7:30 PM
Sep 11 Sat. Richmond International Raceway ABC 7:30 PM
Sep 19 Sun. New Hampshire Motor Speedway ABC 1:00 PM
Sep 26 Sun. Dover International Speedway ABC 1:00 PM
Oct 3 Sun. Kansas Speedway ABC 1:00 PM
Oct 10 Sun. Auto Club Speedway ABC 3:00 PM
Oct 16 Sat. Lowe's Motor Speedway ABC 7:30 PM
Oct 24 Sun. Martinsville Speedway ABC 1:00 PM
Oct 31 Sun. Talladega Superspeedway ABC 1:00 PM
Nov 7 Sun. Texas Motor Speedway ABC 1:00 PM
Nov 14 Sun. Phoenix International Raceway ABC 3:00 PM
Nov 21 Sun. Homestead-Miami Speedway ABC 1:00 PM
And don't forget, you can keep up with the latest news, interact with fans and have a chance to win prizes by following us on Facebook and Twitter!
Chase could end up being a two-horse show
We're just two races into The Chase for the Championship, but it could be shaping up to be a two-horse race...
Sure, there are 12 drivers in the Chase, but if the first two races in the 10-race playoff are an indicator, it's the Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson show.
Martin leads the points standings by 10 points ahead of Johnson with the next closest driver being Juan Pablo Montoya, 65 points off the lead. Unless Johnson or Martin have a bad day, the title is theirs to lose.
Throughout the season, Martin has been the feel-good story of the year for NASCAR as the wily veteran has been at times dominant and shown signs that he could finally, after all these years, win an elusive championship.
And then there's Jimmie Johnson. He and his team just know how to turn it on this time of year, just as they did last week at Dover with Johnson having one of, if not the best cars. But it's worth noting that finishing second behind Johnson on Sunday was none other than Martin.
Gordon: "Atlanta crowd was fantastic"
The recent night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway is still creating a buzz...
During his media availability on Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Jeff Gordon praised the fans at the Pep Boys Auto 500 for their support of NASCAR and specifically, Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gordon went on to point out that the races in Atlanta are some of the best races that NASCAR has each year.
The Labor Day weekend race was the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series night race at AMS and hosted a near-capacity crowd that saw what some fans have since referred to as one of better races at the track in quite some time.
"Atlanta was pretty eye-opening to a lot of us. We've seen a lot of empty seats at Atlanta in the past and to see the schedule change and go to the night race there and have that kind of a crowd at Atlanta was fantastic," Gordon said. "That, to me, is a crowd that track deserves. I think it's one of the best races that we have. And to race there at night and to be in the south I would just think that it would be filled up like that. It was nice to see that."
This Year's Chase Full Of Intrigue
After 26 races, it's time to the determine NASCAR's 2009 champion through the Chase for the Championship...
This year's Chase could be the most compelling edition since the format's inception.
You have to first start with three-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson. He'll be going for his fourth championship in a row. Johnson is kind of like one of those wild card teams in the NFL or Major League Baseball playoffs. They may not have had the best record throughout the season, but you sure as heck don't want to face them in the postseason, because they know what to do when the pressure is on at the most important moments.
Then you've got Tony Stewart. He's been the class of the Sprint Cup Series this season, leading the points standings most of the way. Now he has the challenge of replicating that performance for the final 10 races. History has shown that at times, a dominant first 26 races doesn't always translate to a championship. Stewart, starts the Chase in second place, 10 points out of the lead.
The sentimental favorite is, by far, Mark Martin. He'll enter the Chase as the points leader and this year could be his best shot at a title. Sure, he has qualified for the Chase in the past, but he's much more than a contender to have a shot at the championship - he's one of the drivers that will have to be beaten in order to win the 2009 title.
And then there's Brian Vickers, who got into the Chase by the skin of a toothbrush. If anyone is riding a strong burst of momentum into the Chase right now, it has to be Vickers. Vickers had to scratch and claw just to get into the Chase. If he can keep up that performance, the fight for the championship could be very interesting.
Oh, what a night!
As we put the first weekend of night racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway, there is one thing that needs to be said to all of you fans - thank you!
The Pep Boys Auto 500 weekend turned out to be a rousing success thanks in a very large part to many of you fans! On Sunday, a near-capacity crowd came out to see night racing from the Sprint Cup Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway. We hope that you had as much fun seeing night racing and enjoying the atmosphere as we did! It was great to see many of you at the racetrack and also meet some of you. It's you fans that make this sport so great, and we have you to thank for a sucessful race weekend.
This weekend was a new experience for many of us here at AMS with it being our first night race. That's where you all come in. We'll be coming up with a way in the future for you to tell us about your experience at AMS, whether it be good or bad. Hearing feedback from you helps us put on as good of show as possible for fans!
Be sure to join us for both race weekends next year - March 5-7 and again on Labor Day weekend. This March, we'll have Sprint Cup qualifying on Friday, the Camping World Truck Series on Saturday and the Kobalt Tools 500 on Sunday. It'll be hear before you know it!
Records Already Being Broken
Records are being shattered here at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and it's not even race weekend yet!
If there were any doubts about the Pep Boys Auto 500, the first night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway being an exciting affair, those doubts have begun to be stripped away with the news of Atlanta Motor Speedway's ticket office having its largest single day of ticket sales on Monday, Aug. 31.
Without a doubt, the Pep Boys Auto 500 is gearing up to be an exciting race. You've got night racing, NASCAR returning to racing in the Southeast on Labor Day weekend, a pre-race concert with Diamond Rio and special guest Jason Michael Carroll and just the pure excitement of racing in Atlanta. Plus, you also have the Chase for the Championship positions at stake, including Kyle Busch trying to claw his way into the top 12 in the next two races.
This much is certain - the Degree V12 300 and Pep Boys Auto 500 will present an exciting weekend of racing in Atlanta, and we can't wait to have all of you fans here to enjoy it with us!
First Two Days Of Big Green Egg Clues
In case you missed them, here are the green egg location clues from the first two days. Be sure to watch our Facebook and Twitter pages for the remaining clues as we post them! For more info on the contest, go here!
Location One
Bound on either side by purple and red
A good place to rest and be Irish
Location Two
The metal man is here
Big man, pretty girl is where you need to be.
Location Three
Where charity is king
Everyone's a winner
Can Edwards Carry Momentum To Atlanta?
In most sports, momentum is key. That's especially true in auto racing...
A good run one week can give a team and/or driver an extra boost moving forward while a bad run can cause some to feel down on themselves and less optimistic about their chances at the next race.
In the case of Carl Edwards, he's likely hoping to harness momentum from winning Sunday's NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Montreal and use it to either win for the first time this season in the Sprint Cup Series at the Pep Boys Auto 500 on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway or take a big step toward locking up a position in the Chase for the Championship.
Edwards, who won nine Cup races a year ago, has yet to win this year and currently sits fifth in the points standings.
Just a few weeks ago at Bristol, we saw Kyle Busch win the Camping World Truck Series race, giving him a jolt that helped him win the Sprint Cup race a few nights later.
Who knows...winning Sunday's Nationwide race could be the very thing Carl Edwards needs as he heads toward this weekend's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Chase Scenarios For The Pep Boys Auto 500
Some drivers could take care of clinching a spot in the Chase for the Championship at the Pep Boys Auto 500...
With Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon having already clinched spots in the Chase, nine spots are up for grabs entering Sunday's Pep Boys Auto 500.
According to NASCAR's Public Relations Department, any driver with a 196-point lead over the driver in 13th place will clinch a Chase spot.
Currently, #11-Denny Hamlin, in fourth place, has a 230-point lead on 13th - meaning he can lose 34 points and still clinch. Put simply, if Hamlin finishes third or better, fourth and leads at least a lap or fifth and leads the most laps at Atlanta, he will clinch a Chase spot.
#99-Carl Edwards, in fifth, is 199 points ahead of 13th and can lose three points to that position. Although there are numerous possibilities for Edwards to clinch, only an Atlanta win will guarantee it.
#2-Kurt Busch, in sixth, holds a 192-point lead over 13th. He needs to gain four points to clinch. Like Edwards, there are a number of ways for that to happen, but only a win on Sunday would guarantee a clinch.?
Those drivers currently in position seventh through 11th can mathematically clinch - but the scenarios are almost too far-fetched for it to happen. #39-Ryan Newman needs to gain 84 points over 13th, #16-Greg Biffle needs 75 points, #42-Juan Pablo Montoya needs 132 points; #5-Mark Martin needs 136 points; and #9-Kasey Kahne needs 144 points.
It's Almost That Time
The time is nearly among us. In less than a week, it'll officially be race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway!
Slowly but surely, it has begun to look like it's almost time for the Pep Boys Auto 500 race weekend during the past few days with assorted vehicles, including production trucks for PRN, SPEED and ESPN having already rolled into town.
But the bigger sign was this morning with the opening of unreserved camping and a good-sized crowd that had been waiting for a few days made its way into the camping area, staking out their spots. For some, it's the beginning of Atlanta Motor Speedway being a second home for the next week or so. For others, today was simply about setting up their camping spot so that it would be good to go for next weekend.
And according to some of the campers I talked to, this is a bigger crowd for day one of camping than in the past couple of races.
It's always fun to go to events like this morning's because it allows us to get to meet and interact for many of you fans. If you see us walking around the Speedway during the next week, feel free to say hello...and you may end up getting on camera!
Degree V12 300 Attracting Star-Studded Field
Most drivers racing in the Pep Boys Auto 500 will be dealing with the x-factor of it being Atlanta Motor Speedway's first Sprint Cup Series Night Race...
But for some drivers, it won't be as unfamiliar. That's because a handful of drivers will likely get a pretty good feeling of what the racing surface at Atlanta Motor Speedway is like under the lights with the Nationwide Series Degree V12 300 on Saturday, Sept. 5.
One of those drivers will be series points leader Kyle Busch, who could likely gain information about racing at night in Atlanta and build momentum for Sunday's Pep Boys Auto 500 with a good finish in the Degree V12 300.
But Busch won't be the only Cup driver that fans at the Degree V12 300 will get to see tackle Atlanta's 1.54-mile quad-oval. Other drivers expected to race include Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle and Brian Vickers.
Also racing in Atlanta will be Unadilla, Ga., native David Ragan, who has won twice this season, picking up wins at Talladega and at the most recent Nationwide Series race at Bristol. Another Georgia native, Joey Logano, has won three times this year. Each of those wins, by the way, were at tracks at least 1.5-miles long.
Throw in full-time Nationwide drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Steve Wallace, Justin Allgaier and Brendan Gaughan, and you've got the makings for a very exciting night during a Labor Day weekend filled with racing!
Get your tickets to see NASCAR's best drivers battle it out under the lights at the Pep Boys Auto 500 on Sept. 6 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX or by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
Win A Victory Lane Experience At The Pep Boys Auto 500!
Ever wanted to be in Victory Lane after a NASCAR race? Here's your chance!
It's one of the most recognizable scenes in sports - A car rolls in off the racetrack into Victory Lane. Then, out climbs the race winner, who is instantly mobbed by his pit crew and showered by screams of excitement and sprays of champagne. Victory Lane is the holy grail for each driver at the start of each NASCAR race, the magical place where each team hopes to be when the race ends.
If you purchase tickets to the Pep Boys Auto 500 between 9 a.m. EDT on Aug. 24 and Midnight EDT Aug. 28, you'll be entered into a drawing for you and one guest to be in Victory Lane at the Pep Boys Auto 500! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, one that you cannot purchase at the ticket office!
Fans can also enter the contest by sending a 3" x 5" card with their name, address and telephone number to Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Entries must be postmarked by Aug. 28. The card should be addressed as follows:
Attn: Victory Lane Promotion
Atlanta Motor Speedway
P.O. Box 500
Hampton, GA 30228
To view contest rules, click here.
Frontstretch tickets available for $59!
You can sit on the frontstretch at the Pep Boys Auto 500 for $59!
Seats are in the first nine rows of the Petty Grandstand, which overlooks Turn Four. Click here for more info! Available while supplies last.
Our Fan Guide is Online!
You don't have to wait until race weekend to get a look at our fan guide...
That's because you can now view it online by going to this link. Get all the information in the fan guide before you come to the race track!
Is A First-Time Winner In The Cards At Atlanta?
One of NASCAR's most-famous first-time victories occurred at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2001. Could we see another at the Pep Boys Auto 500?
Atlanta Motor Speedway was the site of one of the more memorable first victories for a driver in 2001 when Kevin Harvick won in a photo finish, edging Jeff Gordon for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory.
Harvick is one of three drivers to get his first-career Sprint Cup Series victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway since 2000.
In November 2000, Jerry Nadeau collected his first win. The most recent driver to get his first career win at Atlanta Motor Speedway is Carl Edwards in 2005, also winning in a photo finish. In Edwards' case, it was Jimmie Johnson who he beat to the checkered flag.
There will be a handful of hungry drivers looking to make Atlanta the site of their first Sprint Cup Series win during the Pep Boys Auto 500 on Sept. 6. They include Marcos Ambrose, A.J. Allmendinger and Sam Hornish Jr.
Ambrose has been solid throughout the season and is currently 17th in the points standings with three top fives and six top tens. Allmendinger has finished in the top 20 each of the three times he has raced in Atlanta.
Hornish appears to improving with each race that goes by. He has six top ten finishes and two top fives this season after having no finishes in either category a year ago. He has finished in the top five in two of the past three races, giving him some possible momentum heading into Atlanta.
Get your tickets to see NASCAR's best drivers battle it out under the lights at the Pep Boys Auto 500 on Sept. 6 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX or by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
Counting Down To Race Weekend With Car No. 17
In just 17 days, the first full weekend of night racing comes to Atlanta Motor Speedway...
As the much-awaited weekend gets closer and closer - 17 days away to be exact - here's a look at the driver of car No. 17 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Matt Kenseth.
Although Kenseth has never won a Sprint Cup Series race in Atlanta, he is no stranger to success at AMS. In the Cup Series, he has finished in the top five 11 times in 19 starts at Atlanta, matching his highest number of top fives at any track other than Dover and Michigan. In the Nationwide Series, Kenseth has won twice at Atlanta and is the defending champion of Atlanta's Nationwide race - the Degree V12 300.
Atlanta could end up being very important to Kenseth's hopes of qualifying for the Chase for the Championship as he is currently 11th in the points standings, 32 points ahead of 13th place Brian Vickers.
Make sure to have your seat to witness Kenseth and the rest of NASCAR's stars race under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway! Tickets start at $39.
Visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com or call 877-9-AMS-TIX.
Walk The Track With Ragan, Loomis And Logano
There will be no shortage of activities for race fans to enjoy during the Pep Boys Auto 500 weekend on Sept 5-6...
Among them are the chances to have a great time and benefit a great cause - Speedway Children's Charities.
One of them is Sept. 6 with the Track Walk. Fans can walk the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway and they'll be joined by three special guests - David Ragan, Joey Logano and Robbie Loomis!
At-track registration is $35 and kids 16 and under can walk for free! A $10 discount is available for those registering by Aug. 28. The walk begins at 11 a.m. Sept. 6 and registration is Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Go here to register online!
Other events during race weekend include the Reed Sorenson Charity Golf Classic Presented by AutoTrader.com on Sept. 4 at Eagle's Landing Country Club in McDonough and Kruz'n 4 Kids on Sept. 5, giving motorcycle riders a chance to participate in a motorcycle ride to Atlanta Motor Speedway and watch Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series qualifying and the Nationwide Series Degree V12 300. A memorabilia auction is scheduled for Sept. 6 with the final event being Hot Laps on the High Banks, giving fans an opportunity to drive their personal vehicles on the track Sept. 7.
For more information about Speedway Children's Charities activities during the Pep Boys Auto 500 weekend, go the SCC's Web site.
Atlanta a Make or Break Race for Busch?
The Pep Boys Auto 500 could be a make or break race for Kyle Busch’s Chase for the Championship hopes…
As it stands right now, with three races to go until the Chase for the Championship, Kyle Busch is outside the top 12 of the points standings, sitting 70 points out of the top 12 in 15th place.
Busch needs more than some solid finishes in the next few races – he needs to run strong and have some drivers ahead of him develop problems.
Although Busch may not be able to control how other drivers finish, he can control his own fortunes. That’s where the Pep Boys Auto 500, the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will come into play on Sept. 6.
Atlanta has been a good track for Busch, especially in recent years. In his past three races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Busch has a pair of top five finishes, including a victory in March 2008.
Busch needs to pick up as many points in the next three races in order to qualify for the Chase. He’ll have a golden opportunity to do so at the Pep Boys Auto 500.
Be there when history is made when NASCAR’s biggest stars race under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Visit Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Web site or call 877-9-AMS-TIX.
Sizing up the Chase to Atlanta
Two races remain until the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a race that will be key for drivers hoping to qualify for the Chase...
Here's a look at the drivers either looking to hang onto their spots in the top 12 of the points standings or sneak into one the Chase for the Championship positions.
7th Place: Juan Montoya - Another good run at Watkins Glen improved Montoya's chances of qualifying for the Chase. He's currently 154 points ahead of 13th-place Kyle Busch.
8th Place: Kasey Kahne - Kahne dropped a position as a result of his finish at Watkins Glen, putting him 127 points ahead of 13th place Kyle Busch. Atlanta's placement on the schedule could work to Kahne's advantage given his history at AMS that includes winning the 2006 spring race.
9th Place: Ryan Newman - Has been solid all year, but might have to get up on wheel when Atlanta comes around in order to cement his position in the Chase.
10th Place: Greg Biffle - Certainly helped his chances of making the Chase with a 5th place finish at Watkins Glen. He's got to feel good about his chances with one of his better tracks, Michigan, coming up combined with seven top ten finishes in 13 races at Atlanta. But if he slips up, Kyle Busch is sitting in 13th place chomping at the bit.
11th Place: Mark Martin - Slipped a spot in the points standings as a result of finishing 23rd at Watkins Glen. He's got a great chance to rally back, however, with Michigan (where he won in June) and Atlanta (where he started on the pole in March) coming up.
12th Place: Matt Kenseth - He's on the threshold of missing the Chase, just 58 points ahead of 13th-place Kyle Busch. He'll need some strong finishes in the next few weeks, especially at Atlanta to keep his position in the top 12.
13th Place: Kyle Busch - Speaking of Kyle Busch, he closed in on getting into the Chase by finishing fourth at Watkins Glen. But with him needing to gain ground on the likes of Martin, Biffle and Kenseth, Busch will need to run very well and need some drivers in front of him to slip up. He's currently 58 points out of the top 12.
14th Place: Brian Vickers - Vickers is in position to possibly sneak into the Chase, 96 points out of 12th. To get in, he needs to do two things - run well and have some drivers in front of him have problems. That may call for him to get more aggressive than usual at upcoming races at Michigan, Bristol and Atlanta.
Counting down to race weekend with car No. 26
In 26 days, the first full weekend of night racing will come to Atlanta Motor Speedway...
The weekend kicks off Sept. 5 with Sprint Cup Series qualifying and the Nationwide Series Degree V12 300. Then, on Sept. 6, it's the first Cup night race in Atlanta with the running of the Pep Boys Auto 500!
With 26 days to go until race weekend, here's a look at one of the drivers that will take to the track during that time, Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 26 car.
McMurray had an impressive debut weekend in his first Cup race in Atlanta in 2002, finishing seventh the day after he won the Nationwide race. His best finish came in the fall of 2005 when he came in sixth.
Overall, he has four top ten finishes in Atlanta in 14 races.
McMurray has two top-five qualifying efforts at Atlanta, including a career-best starting spot of third in the Kobalt Tools 500 this past March.
Get your tickets to see McMurray and many other NASCAR stars by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX. You can also visit Atlanta Motor Speedway's Web site!
Keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter!
It's now easier than ever to keep up with all that is going on at Atlanta Motor Speedway year-round...
From NASCAR events, Thursday Thunder, Friday Night Drags or anything else, it's easy to stay in tune to what's going on at AMS!
Want to stay plugged in? All you've got to do is follow us on Twitter or become a fan of Atlanta Motor Speedway on Facebook! Here, you'll get the latest updates from the track and can even interact with other fans on our Facebook page.
Also, during the Pep Boys Auto 500 weekend, we'll be posting frequent updates on both pages. If you receive Facebook and Twitter updates on your cell phone, you'll be able to get those updates in the palm of your hand!
But that's not all. You also have an opportunity to win prizes! In the past few weeks, we've given fans of Atlanta Motor Speedway on Facebook chances to win a diecast signed by Denny Hamlin, a cap signed by David Ragan and most recently, a guided pre-race garage tour for two lucky fans on the day of the Pep Boys Auto 500!
Don't miss out. Become a fan of Atlanta Motor Speedway on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!
Road to The Chase Runs Through Atlanta
As if racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day Weekend and doing so under the lights wasn't enough to look forward to...
Drivers in the Sprint Cup Series points standings are presenting another one.
The Pep Boys Auto 500 is a week before the final race prior to the 12-driver Chase for the Championship being set, meaning that Atlanta will be a vital race for drivers hoping to either solidify positions in the Chase or move within striking distance of making it into the top 12.
For some drivers, a good race in Atlanta could mean less concern heading to Richmond and less pressure to finish high enough in order to lock up a spot in the Chase. A bad night in Atlanta, meanwhile, could either eliminate chances of qualifying for the Chase or put a driver in a tough position when the checkered flag falls at the Pep Boys Auto 500.
And just by taking a glance at the current points standings, a lot will be on the line in Atlanta for some of NASCAR's biggest stars.
Matt Kenseth sits 11th, just a single point ahead of Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle. Both have little margin for error as Kyle Busch is 101 points out of the top 12 and Brian Vickers is 104 back.
What it all comes down to is that there will be some upset drivers following the race at Richmond when the Chase for the Championship field is set, and that Atlanta Motor Speedway will play a big role in who makes the Chase and who doesn't.
Be sure to witness some of NASCAR's best drivers fight to get into the Chase in person by getting your tickets to the Pep Boys Auto 500. Tickets start at $39 and frontstretch tickets are priced as low as $59! Also, student tickets in the Elliott Grandstand are $19!
It's easy to introduce fans to racing thanks to NASCAR Fans of Tomorrow Ticket Special
Growing up, many of us have experiences that we credit as being a spark in getting us hooked on being passionate about something. For some its a first Major League Baseball game or having a game of catch in the front yard.
But for me, it came in the summer of 1990. Other than driving by a track a few times, I had never been to a NASCAR race. During the time, me and my family lived in Central Florida (I was 10-years old at the time) and it was a short drive to Daytona. So, we headed over to the track the day before the Firecracker 400 for second-round qualifying and final practice.
While I remember how exciting it was to see drivers such as Earnhardt and Waltrip barrel around the track in-person for the first time, the more vivid memory for me was the instant we stepped through the gates and my dad promptly took me up to the catch fence so I could 'see how loud these cars are.'
I still have memories of a sound so loud that it almost pushed me back away from the fence while seeing the blur of a black No. 3 car while also thinking it was cool that I could see the rear bumper lettering on Earnhardt's car that I had seen in pictures or on tv so many times.
From that moment on, I became passionate about racing.
And that, folks, is the great thing about the NASCAR Fan of Tomorrow special being offered by Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Nationwide Series Degree V12 300 and Sprint Cup qualifying on Sept 5. Kids 12 and under get in free with an adult ticket to the Earnhardt Grandstand.
You can introduce a youngster to racing or just come to the track to just enjoy some time together as a family for a great price! This is a great opportunity, so don't pass it up!
For tickets, call 877-9-AMS-TIX or go to Atlanta Motor Speedway's Web site.
Just two weeks left in Thursday Thunder
The summer coming to a close is marked by many things, one being Thursday Thunder at Atlanta Motor Speedway coming to a close.
This week will likely be pivotal for many drivers hoping to either solidify their position in the standings or align themselves to make a final charge on Championship Night on Aug. 6.
In the Bandits Division, Kyle Weatherman holds a 17-point lead over John Holleman with Skip Nichols' lead in the Masters Division ahead of Jeff Haynie being a slim two points. Luke Benhke leads the Outlaws by three points ahead of Garrett Smithley while Austin Hill holds a 34-point lead over Zach Kittle in the Pro Division. Chris Cable is 11 points ahead of Adam Gay in the Roadsters and Jonathan Chandler is three points ahead of Cody Haskins in Semi-Pro.
Evan Bell leads Joey Padgett by 10 points in Young Guns with the Young Lions points leader being Chad Finchum, 22 ahead of Donald McIntosh.
Click here for a video recap of Thursday Thunder from the past few weeks!