This weekend NASCAR fans east of the Mississippi welcome the return of the Sprint Cup Series for the running of the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS). A two race tour on the west coast followed by a two-day test session in Arizona at the beginning the week has equaled many miles logged by the teams that make-up NASCAR's top touring series.
Sunday's race marks nearly 50 years of NASCAR racing action at AMS with Fireball Roberts winning the first race on record in 1960. This weekend the scene will be decidedly different as the track will host over 100,000 fans who will not only be entertained by the exciting racing action of NASCAR's three premier series but also all of the fan friendly extras offered by AMS.
For those holding tickets to Sunday's Cup Series race, the pre-race festivities will rival the on-track racing action as the show will feature skydiving, a car chase and hit recording artists. One lucky contest winner selected through an online promotion will get to drop the green flag for Sunday's race and in a most unconventional way as they will arrive at the speedway via a tandem skydive with the flag in hand.
Also on scheduled to be onsite at AMS is one of the most famous automobiles to grace the small screen as the General Lee, from the 1980's hit television show "The Dukes of Hazzard," will take a pace lap before the start of the race while in "hot pursuit" by the Hazzard County Sherriff's Office. John Schneider, who played Bo Duke on the series, will be behind the wheel of the General Lee when it takes to the track.
Fans traveling to Atlanta will also have new options when they visit the concession stands. This year AMS has introduced combo meals in efforts to make trips to grab a snack a quicker and easier chore for its attendees. New menu choices will also be featured starting this weekend with southern favorites, including Brunswick stew as recent additions. For fans who do not want to miss a second of the on-track action, AMS is also offering in-seat food service.
FOX is scheduled to broadcast live television coverage of the Kobalt Tools beginning at 1:30 p.m. EDT. The green flag is scheduled to fall at 2 p.m. EDT
Kobalt Tools 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Qualifying Record: Geoffrey Bodine (197.478 mph, 28.074 seconds), November 15, 1997
Race Record: Bobby Labonte (159.904 mph, 3 hours, 7 minutes, 48 seconds), November 16, 1997
2007 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
Total Purse: $5,060,012
