Atlanta to add Truck race in 2004

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Atlanta Motor Speedway officials announced today that the speedway has added a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race to its 2004 event schedule. The inaugural 200-mile event will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2004, as part of the Golden Corral 500 weekend.

"We thought long and hard about how we could beef up our spring race schedule, and what kind of event the fans really wanted to see," said Atlanta Motor Speedway President and General Manager Ed Clark. "What really convinced me is that the fans have been asking us to run a truck race for years. And after watching them test here many times, and watching a bunch of great truck races, I agree with them that this will be a great, close race with tons of action for the fans."

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck series already races at Atlanta Motor Speedway's sister tracks, Texas Motor Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway, and many truck drivers have expressed interest in racing at Atlanta as they have tested at the high-banked track over the years.

"I love this track," Atlanta-area Craftsman Truck driver Bill Lester said during a recent test session. "It's so fast, and it seems so competitive. I hope one day we can race here, because it would be a whole different animal. I would really love to be able to invite all my family and friends to come watch me race at this awesome place."