HAMPTON, Ga. (Aug. 19, 2011) – This year’s AdvoCare 500 night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway promises to be one of the marquee events on the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. While a multitude of reasons could be provided, we’ve narrowed down five major reasons why you should be at the biggest Labor Day party in the USA.
The AdvoCare 500 will feature the culmination of the Sprint Summer Showdown. Drivers who win the August races at Indianapolis, Pocono, Watkins Glen, Michigan and Bristol make themselves, a lucky fan and the charity of the driver’s choice eligible for a $1,000,000 payday if they can take the win at Atlanta. So far, the inaugural edition of the showdown has been quite the surprise to the prognosticators. The 2011 season has seen parody unlike any other season, and the Sprint Summer Showdown has been a microcosm of the wide-open competition we’ve seen this year. Unexpected winners like Paul Menard, Brad Keselowski and Marcos Ambrose have made themselves eligible to cash in with a victory at AMS. With two races left, some of the sport’s biggest names will be vying to become eligible for a $1,000,000 bonus.
Aside from making themselves eligible for the Sprint Summer Showdown, some of the sport’s biggest names are vying to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. First position awards the most points, so winning is the objective as the schedule winds towards the Chase. And regardless of a driver’s position in the points standings, wins are important. For those drivers locked into the Chase, each win nets bonus points that are crucial for seeding in the Chase. With the introduction of the Wild Card for drivers who have won a race and are in positions 11-20 in the points, a win at Atlanta could help solidify a spot in the Chase field.
With the AdvoCare 500 weekend becoming the biggest Labor Day party in the USA, fans can be a part of so much more than just the racing action on the track. Kicking off Sunday night’s action will be the Fast Cars and Guitars concert, featuring Southern Rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd. Fans can also purchase stagefront access for the concert, also giving them an up-close view of the AdvoCare 500 driver introductions, minutes before the drivers hit the track for 500 miles of racing under the lights.
Racing enthusiasts will have the opportunity to fulfill their racing needs as Atlanta Motor Speedway will welcome all three of NASCAR’s top divisions to AMS for the first time on Labor Day weekend. Friday night will feature 200 miles of Camping World Truck Series action. Saturday night veterans and young guns alike will duke it out in the Great Clips 300 Nationwide Series race. Sunday night will feature the grand finally AdvoCare 500 Sprint Cup Series race. Sunday night’s action stands as the next-to-last race prior to the Chase cutoff.
While the racing action ends Sunday night with the checkered flag in the AdvoCare 500, fans will still be able to take in great activities at the speedway. Three nights of racing grow into four days of action, as customers will be treated to a free breakfast on Monday. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., AdvoCare 500 ticket holders will be treated to breakfast in the NASCAR Nationwide Series garage area. Fans are only asked to show their AdvoCare 500 ticket for free entry. Patrons will also have the opportunity to drive their personal vehicles on the high banks of AMS. For a donation to Speedway Children’s Charities, fans may take laps around the same track that their favorite drivers were battling on just hours before. An additional donation will gain customers a photo in victory lane. All monies from the event will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities, the charity fundraising arm of Atlanta Motor Speedway.
With all the activity, drama and importance surrounding race weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the AdvoCare 500 is must-see, high-octane racing entertainment.
NASCAR night racing returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway this Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4. Tickets for the AdvoCare 500 start at $39 and $19 for students. Children 12 and under admitted free for the Great Clips 300 and the Atlanta 200 with an adult ticket. For more information, call the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211 or visit http://www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
