It happens only once a year, and this year’s day for race fans to drive their own cars around the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway is Saturday, Sept. 25.
But there will be much more than just the opportunity to drive your car around the track on Sept. 25, which will be Atlanta Motor Speedway’s annual open house. The open house will run from 3-7 p.m. and will feature ticket and autographed NASCAR merchandise giveaways, infield and garage access and plenty of show cars to see.
Also, new this year will be the Pacemaker 5000, a 5K foot race presented by Henry Medical Center. The race will be held at 5 p.m. and will include two laps around the speedway. Runners will be able to register at pacemaker5k.org for $15 prior to September 20. On-site registration will be available for $20. All runners will receive a complimentary race T-shirt.
Track rides will begin at 6 p.m., with each car getting a chance to make two laps behind the official Atlanta Motor Speedway pace car. Fans interested in driving the track should purchase their Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 weekend tickets at the open house to receive their laps free. For those who have already purchased tickets for all three days of the Oct. 29-31 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 weekend, a $30 donation can be made to the Speedway Children’s Charities for two laps around the speedway.