HAMPTON, Ga. (April 12, 2007) - A wheel-standing school bus, numerous Atlanta sports mascots, a camp counselor canoe race and crazy costumes will all be part of Atlanta Motor Speedway's weekly summer racing series, Thursday Thunder. The series is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2007 and activities are planned to ensure this year's edition is the best yet.

Thursday Thunder, a 10-week series, will take place every Thursday night from May 31 to August 2, with a special Wednesday night edition on July 4 featuring a fireworks extravaganza. Drivers will compete on the "Thunder Ring," AMS' paved quarter-mile frontstretch oval.

"It's exciting to think about entering our 10th season of Legends racing at AMS," said Brandon Hutchison, AMS vice president of events. "Over the years our fan base has grown exponentially and while the racing product is mostly unchanged, the entertainment value on Thursday nights is second to none."

Two current NEXTEL Cup Series young guns got their start on AMS' Thunder Ring. Peachtree City, Ga. native and pilot of the No. 41 Target NEXTEL Cup Car Reed Sorenson and Unadilla, Ga. native and rookie driver of the No. 6 AAA NEXTEL Cup car David Ragan both started their racing careers at AMS at ages 12 and 13 respectively.

Ragan's father, Ken, is the current president of 600 racing and was instrumental in the development of the Thursday Thunder racing series. Prior to his position at 600 Racing, Ragan served as the director for Legends Cars of Georgia at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

In addition to Sorenson and Ragan, several aspiring drivers cut their teeth on the Thunder Ring, most notably current Joe Gibbs Racing developmental driver Joey Logano and current NASCAR Craftsman Truck driver Joey Clanton.

Late model racer Jonathan Davenport and current Legends Asphalt Nationals champion Casey Roderick both started racing at AMS. Kyle Fowler, Ryan Gandee and Keeton Hanks have all turned countless laps on the Thunder Ring.

Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Bill Elliott will join in the racing action during the 2007 Thursday Thunder season in a Thunder Roadster, with his son, Chase, and nephew Trey Poole competing on the Thunder Ring as well.

Also on the list of competitors during Thursday Thunder is AMS president and general manager Ed Clark, as well as former owner of the No. 77 NEXTEL Cup car, Mark Wallace.

For more information on Thursday Thunder, call (770) 946-4211 or visit www.legendsofga.com or www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

Below is a 2007 Thursday Thunder season schedule:

Thursday, May 31
Thursday, June 7
Thursday, June 14
Thursday, June 21
Thursday, June 28
Wednesday, July 4
Thursday, July 12
Thursday, July 19
Thursday, July 26
Thursday, August 2