Atlanta Motor Speedwy Wednesday notes

Atlanta Motor Speedway Bass Pro Shops 500 Daily Notes: Wednesday

Georgia Native Chase Miller to Make First AMS Start on Saturday, October 27

Georgia Native Chase Miller will be making his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday. Miller scored several wins on the Thunder Ring, AMS's frontstretch quarter-mile oval in a Legends car, but this will be his first start on the 1.54 mile-quad-oval.

The EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 will mark Miller's fifth NCTS career start.

"I have been looking forward to racing at Atlanta for a long time. I grew up about an hour from the track and have always dreamed about competing there in a NASCAR series event," Miller said. "I have raced my Legends car their several times on the quarter-mile oval, but I have no experience on the big track. I know Bobby Hamilton Sr. loves that track so I plan to get a couple of pointers from him before I go out for practice. From what he has told me so far, it seems to be a great track to race on. It has more than one groove and I seem to run best at those type tracks. BHR has had some great trucks here in the past. I think we might surprise a few people on how well we might run."

Peachtree City, Ga. Native Reed Sorenson Returns to AMS

Peachtree City, Ga. native Reed Sorenson made his first NEXTEL Cup Series start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the 2005 Bass Pro Shops 500. After starting 22nd, Sorenson was caught up in a mid-race accident while running in the top 20 and eliminated from the event, finishing 41st. Sorenson bounced back from his October Atlanta woes and captured his first NEXTEL Cup Series top-10 at AMS, which came in his sixth career start in March 2005, in the Golden Corral 500.

"I truly enjoy racing at AMS. It's my hometown track and I've run a ton of Legends Cars there. I'm very close with a lot of the track personnel and they've always been extremely nice to my family and me. Most importantly I enjoy having the support of the hometown fans," Sorenson said. "The cheers and applause I got during driver introductions for my first NEXTEL Cup race at the track sounded like I had been driving in the series for years. That support means a lot to us and hopefully the Target team will put on a good show this weekend."

Sorenson will be signing autographs from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, at Race Team Depot. Located at in Fayetteville, Ga., Race Team Depot is a souvenir store for the NASCAR enthusiast.

AMS to Host Speedway Children's Charities Event

Atlanta Motor Speedway will host a NASCAR star-studded charity reception and auction on Thursday, October 26 to benefit Speedway Children's Charities and the Ryan Newman Foundation.

Emceed by local radio talent Dallas McCade and special guest Dan Elliott, "Harvest Nights" will feature live entertainment, driver meet and greets and a live and silent auction that features NASCAR memorabilia and other items. Held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to meet some of NASCAR's top drivers and legends. Those expected to attend include Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Buddy Baker, Rex White and Chad Chaffin.

The event will be held in the Tara Ballroom at Atlanta Motor Speedway. For more information, please contact AMS Chapter Director Pat Thompson at (770) 946-3921.

Crown Royal IROC Series Continues Testing at AMS

The Crown Royal International Race of Champions Series continued testing and driver practice on Tuesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway in preparation for the 2006 IROC championship finale on Saturday. Tuesday's activities consisted of final testing of the racecars, driver practice and concluded with a blind draw for car assignments conducted by IROC president, Jay Signore. Road racing and open wheel ace, Max Papis joined IndyCar champion, Sam Hornish Jr., Grand American Sports Car champion, Wayne Taylor and dirt track sprint car legend, Steve Kinser for pre-race driver practice.

"Actually, I feel pretty good," Kinser said. "I've been pretty comfortable here in past IROC races, but my results haven't shown it. For the race this year, I'm just going to get out there, have a good time and give it my best shot. Like I said, I'm comfortable enough in the cars to race hard, so hopefully we'll have a good race and a good finish to the season on Saturday."

Kinser's son, Kraig was in attendance watching his dad practice when he went from spectator to participant. Signore surprised the 22-year-old with an invite to suit up and give the IROC cars a try.

"It was a lot of fun and very special for me to get a chance to drive an IROC car," said the younger Kinser. "The cars are very different than anything I've ever driven before with the steering and just the way they draft. It was a lot of fun to get a chance to drive with my dad out there too. You really can tell how even the cars are and see why the racing is as close as it is."

Fans interested in exploring camping options or purchasing tickets to the Bass Pro Shops 500 race weekend can call the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211 or (877) 9-AMS-TIX, by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com, or through an authorized Ticketmaster retail outlet.

-credit: ams