Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety are teaming up to make this year's Independence Day the most patriotic and fun night of the summer.
On a special night Thursday, July 4, the fast cars and trucks of O'Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags will light up the pit lane dragstrip, and the largest fireworks display in Atlanta's Southside will light up the night during the Click It or Ticket Fireworks Salute to America.
Tickets for the evening's pyrotechnics and drag racing are only $10 and kids 5 and under get in free. Admission includes access to grandstand seating, which will provide the best view of the massive fireworks shows, and the infield where fans can see the high-octane, high-speed thrills from up close.
The fireworks will go off after dark, but before the sun sets the night kicks off with a parade-like cruise around Atlanta Motor Speedway's historic 1.54-mile oval. For just $20 per vehicle, anyone can join in the celebration of the Fourth of July and drive their vehicle on the track during the Speedway Cruise. It's all part of the Show-N-Shine, which awards spectacular vehicles in six categories before rolling all participants onto the circuit for what's projected to be one of the largest Speedway Cruises in the history of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags.
The Governor's Office of Highway Safety is sponsoring the event as part of their mission to educate the public on highway safety and promote the use of seat belts.
"While Georgia has one of the highest daytime observed seat belt use rates in the nation, more than half the people killed in traffic crashes in the state aren't buckled," Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said. "Our partnership with Atlanta Motor Speedway will allow us to deliver our message on the importance for everyone to buckle up on every trip."
The affordable, family-friendly Click It or Ticket Fireworks Salute to America will also feature a $250 cash giveaway to one lucky fan, concessions, libations, and of course an impressive display of fireworks, complimenting some of the fastest, most popular street-style drag racing in the South.
This holiday edition of O'Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags will not run on its usual Friday night slot, instead opting to race on Thursday as part of the July 4th holiday festivities. Gates for both spectators and Show-N-Shine participants open at 6:30 p.m., and the speedway cruise gets underway at 8 p.m. Exterior parking is free for all fans.
Drag racing is open to any driver and nearly any vehicle. Entry fees are just $20, and drivers are required to have a working seat belt and a DOT-approved helmet to race.
For more information, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
