Atlanta Motor Speedway will move it's October NASCAR Sprint Cup race date to a September 5 - 6, 2009 Labor Day race weekend that will include a companion NASCAR Nationwide Series event.

Starting in 2009, AMS will host the stars of the Sprint Cup Series racing under the lights on Sunday night, Sept. 6 and the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday night, Sept. 5. Traditionally, AMS has hosted NASCAR Sprint Cup and Craftsman Truck Series events in October.

"Fans have been clamoring for a Sprint Cup Series race under the lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway," said AMS president and general manager Ed Clark. "It's thrilling to bring Labor Day racing back to the south on NASCAR's fastest track. This will be a great opportunity for Atlanta Motor Speedway to celebrate our 50th year of racing."

The event will be the first scheduled Sprint Cup series night race in AMS history and both fans and drivers are eagerly anticipating the historic event.

"Mark this day down as a great day in NASCAR history when traditional Labor Day weekend racing returns to the South," said Patrick Brigmond, an AMS fan and Bethlehem, Ga. native. "In my opinion, there is nothing more exciting than racing under the lights. Add to that Atlanta Motor Speedway's fast, three and four-wide racing, and this will be one of the most exciting, marquis events on the NASCAR schedule."

"Labor Day Weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway at night - I can't think of anything better than that," said Jeff Gordon, a four-time winner at AMS. "One of my favorite race tracks is Atlanta Motor Speedway. The place is fast, sparks are flying and I can't wait for it to happen."

In addition to the Labor Day date, AMS has also set dates for March's Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend, March 6 - 8. The Kobalt Tools 500, the first of AMS' two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2009, will be run on Sunday, March 8, while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will take to the 1.54-mile quad oval on Saturday, March 7 for the American Commercial Lines 200.

Fans who purchased tickets to this October's Pep Boys Auto 500 will have the first option to reserve tickets to the historic Labor Day race weekend beginning immediately by calling (877) 9-AMS-TIX (877-926-7849) or by visiting www.atlantamotorspeedway.com. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. For more information on AMS' 2009 schedule, please visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.