HAMPTON, Ga. -- NASCAR driver Danica Patrick recently discussed her upcoming visit to Atlanta Motor Speedway, where she’ll make her first-career start at the 1.54-mile facility in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Patrick will compete in the NRA American Warrior 300 on Saturday, Sept. 1, as well as the AdvoCare 500 on Sunday, Sept. 2 as she chases a Nationwide Series championship while preparing for the jump to a full-time ride in the Sprint Cup Series in 2013.

NRA American Warrior 300 tickets start at just $30 and fans can be present for Danica’s first Sprint Cup start at AMS in the AdvoCare 500 for as low as $39. Sunday student tickets are $19 and kids 12 and under are free on Saturday with a paid adult.

Below are Danica’s thoughts on racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the first time:

What do you know about Atlanta Motor Speedway knowing you’ve never been there competitively in a race?

“I am excited about it. A lot of drivers really look forward to Atlanta. It’s fast and the track surface is challenging because the tires definitely have their fall off, it’s aggressive and hard on them. So it makes for some interesting racing, good racing, lots of passing and cars at different speeds. So I’m looking forward to that.”

Have you been to the track?

“I have been there. I drove there one time. I tested a few years ago. And it was good, it was fun. I think for me, I really like the tracks that are very fast and where you get that loading in the corner. It feels much more like my open-wheel days of having all the downforce and that translates to g-forces in the corner and that load, so the tires and maintenance will be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to that. I enjoy the races that take some strategy and planning and thinking, and thinking ahead.”

NRA American Warrior 300 tickets start at just $30 and fans can be present for Danica’s first Sprint Cup start at AMS in the AdvoCare 500 for as low as $39. Sunday student tickets are $19 and kids 12 and under are free on Saturday with a paid adult.

NASCAR night racing returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2012. Reserve your AdvoCare 500 tickets now. For more information, call the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.