Overheard conversation- Actor David Keith speaking to Billy Ray Cyrus on Pit Lane. Keith asked Cyrus to call him to get together a jam session and possibly contribute to an album with a band Keith apparently has put together.
Marriage Vows- Driver Jerry Nadeau served as honorary best man for nine couples who got married at a ceremony before the race on Saturday. The track sponsored the event and set up the vows.
NAPA 30 Lead Change Challenge- Another announcement was made Saturday, that Atlanta Motor Speedway would co-sponsor with NAPA Auto Parts a guaranteed 30 lead changes during the NAPA 500 race this November. If there are not 30 changes, NAPA and the Speedway would give ticket holders a discount on future ticket prices. Said NAPA driver Michael Waltrip, “I don’t see how we wouldn’t have 30 or more… but I hope the speedway president is ready for the discounts just in case.” The objective of having the 30 lead change quarantee is to point out the competitive nature of Atlanta Motor Speedway. Superspeedways are receiving a bad reputation as restrictor plate races, stifling the competition and making for “boring racing”.
Atlanta Night Race? – It was also brought up during the announcement that Atlanta was planning to have their qualifying under the lights this fall. “It is a step toward night racing in Atlanta”, said Speedway President Ed Clark. As a side note Clark and his colleagues ate at the Ridgewood Barbecue restaurant, a legendary racing and barbecue hangout in the Bristol area, just prior to the announcement, and were overheard discussing a deal for night racing to begin next season. Ridgewood is a notorious hangout of ESPN crews, racing teams, and drivers such as Cale Yarborough, Benny Parsons, Ned Jarrett, and Junior Johnson.
Speaking of Junior Johnson- Junior Johnson was at the track with his grandson Saturday night and was in better shape than ever! He has lost weight, and looks younger than when he bowed out of car ownership on the circuit several years ago. He made the rounds talking to Richard Childress, Felix Sabates and many of the drivers including Robby Gordon and Kevin Harvick.

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