Though the Thursday Thunder Legends Series presented by Papa John's Pizza is sure to provide plenty of fireworks with Week 2 action this Thursday night with some of the best side-by-side quarter-mile asphalt racing in the South, the actual pyrotechnics will come courtesy of the Green Mamba jet car when it makes its vaunted return to the "Thunder Ring" after the on-track action concludes.
Billed as the "redneck fireworks," the world-famous fighter-jet-engine-equipped former drag racing car piloted by iconic 70-year-old driver Doug Rose will engage its military-grade afterburner in a streak of red-hot fire, as it burns a full-sized vehicle to the ground, reducing it to a pile of smoldering ashes in a visual and audible spectacle of molten metal fans have to see to believe.
Rose, who began driving jet cars in 1962, won over 3,700 races and was the National Jet Car Champion 11 times in his drag-racing heyday. He built the Green Mamba after his racing days were over, and for more than 35 years, he has been burning up tracks with the famous four-wheeled, fire-breather.
But before the blizzard of burning shrapnel lights up the Thunder Ring, Thursday Thunder's Week 2 will put on its own show, as eight racing divisions vie for early-season points in the 10-week quest for quarter-mile glory.
In last week's opening round, Scott Moseley of McDonough picked up where he left off in his championship run of 2016, earning his 12th win in the Plemons Investments Masters Division in the last 13 races, dating back to the 2015 season. Meanwhile, Thursday Thunder veteran Jensen Jorgensen of Stockbridge picked up the victory in his Racing Radios Pro Division debut, while Cumming's Hudson Halder, Harrison Halder, Trey Tadrzak of Stockbridge and Kenneth Henderson of Alto each picked up their first Thunder Ring wins in the Semi-Pro, Plemons Young Lions, Chargers and Ricky Sanders Racing, Inc. Bandits Divisions respectively.
Week 2 promises plenty of action both on and off the track, as the sparks will fly when the Thursday Thunder Legends Series presented by Papa John's Pizza continues its 20th Anniversary Season on the Thunder Ring.
Infield admission is available for spectators wishing to watch Thursday Thunder, and passes may be purchased at the Security Command building near the speedway's main entrance. Infield passes are $20, and grandstand tickets for the affordable, family-friendly racing series cost just $5, while children ages 5 and younger are free.
For more information, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
