Atlanta Motor Speedway July 18 Events

Racing your car in reverse gear against one other driver for an eighth of a mile can be tougher than you think! This Friday night willing competitors are invited to give it a shot as Friday Night Drags presented by AC Delco offers the opportunity to race in the Backwards Drag Races. If you can drive in reverse gear, in a straight line and at a high rate of speed, you may be the first person to ever win the AMS Backward’s Drag Race! It is sure to create some wild excitement for the fans in attendance!

Plus, all nine weekly divisions will be racing.

Billy Clevenger, Alan Kidd and Tony Morse head into this week’s racing tied for first in the Pro Division point standings. Morse edged out a win this past Friday over Clevenger placing both in a first place tie with an absent Alan Kidd who had found the winner’s circle on July 4th. Arnie Cobb continues to look for his final round win, but remains only two points from the three leaders.

Newlywed Danny Lowry strengthened his lead in the Street Outlaw this past Friday night with another victory in his 1998 Ford Mustang. Lowry was married earlier on Friday before heading to the speedway for Friday Night Drags competition.

The Beetles are battling in the Pro Four as last Friday Tommy Gillepin picked up the main event victory. Gillepin moved ahead of fellow Beetle competitor Mike Chambers in the point standings while Tony Taylor is only two points away with his 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer. Brandon Stone, Matt Baade and Jason Miller are locked in a three way tie for fourth place.

Bill Hatfield, Dwayne Bethune, Mike Munoz and Rodney Tolbert lead the point’s races in their respective divisions heading into this week’s event. Five hundred and seventy-nine different competitors have raced during the 2008 Friday Night Drags presented by AC Delco series. The top drivers from each of the point’s divisions will be invited back for a special year end race along with season championship awards.

The weekly Show-N-Shine is also on the schedule for this Friday night (July 18). Car show enthusiasts can compete in several different divisions for nightly awards (top three spots in each class). All weekly winners will also be invited to participate in a special car show during pre-race festivities at this October’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the speedway. Plus, everyone in the car show has the opportunity to enjoy the speedway cruise prior to the nightly awards ceremony. All cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles are eligible to compete in the Show-N-Shine competition.

This Friday night (July 18) the pit gates and tech will open at 6pm. Practice runs begin at 6:15pm. Grandstand gates open at 6:30pm. Show-N-Shine Speedway Cruise at 8:20pm. Show-N-Shine Awards at 8:50pm. Opening ceremonies at 9:00pm. Drag Race elimination rounds begin ay 9:00pm.

Spectator ticket prices are $7; children five and under are admitted for free. Grandstand parking is free.

Drag Race or Show-N-Shine participant entry is $20. To enter both is $30.