HAMPTON, Ga. -- While NASCAR’s elite drivers and teams tune their race cars during pre-season testing, all eyes have turned to the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Atlanta Motor Speedway will once again host two NASCAR Sprint Cup events in 2008, the first of which will be held the weekend of March 7-9, one week earlier in the season than previous years.

Helping usher in a new era in motorsports, the March 9 Kobalt Tools 500 will mark Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s first competition laps in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at AMS. To commemorate the occasion, AMS is offering an $88 ticket in the frontstretch Earnhardt Grandstand for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Located in the Turn Three Elliott Grandstand named after 1988 NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, the $39 “Awesome Bill” ticket is another economically priced seating option for fans wanting to attend a Sprint Cup Series event at NASCAR’s fastest track. Students with valid school identification may purchase seating in the same section for only $19.

“We want all fans to have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the Kobalt Tools 500 live,” said AMS president and general manager Ed Clark. “We designed the ‘Awesome Bill’ ticket offer so the entire family could enjoy the drama of NASCAR racing together.”

Part of a NASCAR triple-header weekend, the Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race will be run in conjunction with Friday night, March 7 Georgia Power NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying under the lights, immediately followed by the American Commercial Lines 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. The Nicorette 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race will take the green flag on Saturday, March 8.

Tickets to the entire March event weekend are on sale now and can be obtained by calling (877) 9-AMS-TIX (877-926-7849), by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com or www.ticketmaster.com.