HAMPTON, Ga. -- To celebrate America’s birthday, Atlanta Motor Speedway will offer fans two nights of fireworks to highlight the Fourth of July holiday, both Wednesday, July 4 and Friday, July 6.

Atlanta Motor Speedway will host a special Wednesday night edition of Thursday Thunder on July 4, which will be highlighted by the Papa John’s Pizza Fireworks Extravaganza. In addition to a full racing program on the speedway’s quarter-mile “Thunder Ring,” fans will be treated to the south side’s biggest fireworks display to share with friends and family. Thursday Thunder will also run its regularly-scheduled event on Thursday, July 5. Grandstand gates will open each night at 6:00 p.m.

Then on Friday, July 6, the speedway’s Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine will feature another fireworks display prior to drag race eliminations that evening. Race enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their grills and hang out in the infield for good times and fireworks as they watch some of the fastest machines in Atlanta race down the speedway’s quarter-mile pit lane drag strip. Spectator gates will open at 6:30 p.m.

All of this is in addition to what already stands as unbelievably affordable entertainment. A family can take in an evening of Thursday Thunder racing action for less than what it would cost to see a matinée movie. Tickets for the family-friendly racing series are just $6 for adults, $2 for children ages six through 11 and is free for children ages five and younger. All grandstand seating is smoke-free in 2012.

For Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine, spectator admission is only $8 with children five and under free. Exterior parking is free, while infield parking is $20.

For more information, call the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.