For years, the Atlanta Motor Speedway has been searching for a way to fill the seats and bring excitement back to the track nestled in the heart of the South. After losing its season-ending race in 2001, AMS struggled to find an identity for its fall race and coupled with the start of college football season, ticket sales and interest were lacking. This year, however, speedway officials are hoping that the night time is the right time.

Looking to start a new tradition, this weekend will mark the first time the fall race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway will be held on Labor Day weekend. The long-time date for the historic Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway, the Labor Day date was given to the Auto Club Speedway in 2004, but that facility failed to lure race fans for years. In a move with the Auto Club Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, the lucrative Labor Day weekend date went to Atlanta and to add a bit of spice, the track officials scheduled it to be run under the lights.

"Atlanta Motor Speedway has hosted 100 Sprint Cup Series races, but our 101st marks the start of a new tradition," Ed Clark, Atlanta Motor Speedway president and general manager explained. "Labor Day weekend NASCAR racing has returned to the South and is now a night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This is what NASCAR fans have wanted for years."

The reasons for Atlanta’s struggles have always baffled this writer when it comes to the actual racing seen at the track. The high-banked, high-speed 1.5-mile track produces great racing with multiple grooves and exciting finishes. Sure, Goodyear ruined last year’s spring race, but besides that the racing at AMS is always great to watch, whether on television, pit road or in the grandstands.

By bringing the Labor Day weekend event back to the South, track officials believe fans will flock to the speedway to start a new tradition in NASCAR - couple that with the first night race at the speedway and the hope is that the stands will be packed.

"Yesterday was the best day for ticket sales in my 17 years at Atlanta Motor Speedway and it really speaks to the anticipation surrounding our first night race," Clark added on Tuesday. "We're building a new NASCAR tradition with the Pep Boys Auto 500 and night racing on Labor Day weekend and fans are responding with tremendous interest."

With low ticket prices and deals for fans of all ages, there is no reason to stay at home if you’re within driving distance to the Atlanta Motors Speedway. Children 12 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a ticket holding adult to Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race and qualifying for Sunday’s Pep Boys Auto 500.  The speedway is also offering a limited number of pre-race access tickets that will get fans up close and in the action prior to the start of Sunday night’s race. Fans that purchase this deal will have access to the pre-race concert on the frontstretch by Diamond Rio with special guest Jason Michael Carroll. Following the concert, those fans will be able to get a front-row view of driver introductions for Sunday’s historic race.

The first night race, a new Labor Day tradition and great prices are all good reasons to head to AMS this weekend, but perhaps best of all will be the racing. With the Chase fast approaching and the drivers and teams fresh off a weekend with no action, the racing will be intense as the sun sets on Sunday night – throw a few double-file restarts in there and who knows what could happen.

Those outside the Chase have only two more chances to make their way into the elite group of twelve, while those on the bubble will be doing all they can to have a solid run and maintain their spot in the standings. For former Atlanta winners Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson who are locked into the Chase, the only focus is winning.

There will be plenty of time for college football and does the last week of NFL preseason really matter that much? When it comes down to what to do this Labor Day weekend, think of all the workers – like yourselves – that helped build this great nation throughout the years and head to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for a great weekend of racing – you won’t regret it.

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