Georgia’s Mark Wills to headline pre-race concert at Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500

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Chart-topping and multi-platinum selling country music recording artist Mark Wills will bring his high-energy and authentic country sound to Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 28, 2016 to headline the “Salute to Folds of Honor” pre-race party prior to the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

The Blue Ridge, Georgia resident and CMA/ACM Award winner, whose top-charting smash hits include “Wish You Were Here,” “19 Somethin’,” “Back At One,” “Jacob’s Ladder” and many more, will perform a full-length concert beginning at 11 a.m. on the AMS front stretch as part of the pre-race festivities.

The “Salute to Folds of Honor” is a nod towards the Sprint Cup Series race sponsor, a foundation that provides scholarships and assistance to the families of those killed or disabled in service to America.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to Atlanta Motor Speedway and performing as part of the race festivities,” said Wills. “As a Georgia native, I have so many friends and fans in the local area, so it’ll be a really fun show for us on a personal level. My band and I are ready to put on a heck of a show for NASCAR fans.”

Wills, the 1998 Academy of Country Music Top New Male Vocalist Award winner, launched his musical career after winning a local talent contest in Marietta, Georgia at the age of 17. Wills then worked as a demo singer in Atlanta before moving to Nashville to pursue a record deal. After being discovered by local music producers, Wills signed on with Mercury Records Nashville and released his debut self-titled album in 1996.

Wills’ second album, Wish You Were Here, launched him into national fame, earning RIAA platinum certification. The lead-off single, “I Do,” and the follow-up, “Don’t Laugh At Me,” both topped charts and were major hits in Wills’ career. The album’s title track then became Wills’ first No. 1 hit, topping the charts in 1999.

Wills has released five more albums since Wish You Were Here, as well as a greatest hits album in late 2002, on which his biggest hit, “19 Somethin’,” debuted. The song went on to top the charts in early 2003 and stayed at No. 1 for six weeks. It was Billboard’s top country hit of the year and the second most-played country song of the entire decade in 2009.

“Mark is well-known on the country music scene and a huge NASCAR fan who has attended many AMS events in the past,” said Atlanta Motor Speedway president Ed Clark. “He is sure to bring an electric race-day atmosphere as we gear up for the start of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip500.”

Pre-race pit passes will provide stage-front access for Sprint Cup Series driver introductions, as well as Wills’ performance in the Salute to Folds of Honor pre-race party. In addition, pre-race pit passes will allow fans to tour the pit area and photograph the 43-car field prior to the start of the race.

A limited number of Sunday-only pre-race pit passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $100, and a three-day weekend pre-race pit pass is just $125. A grandstand or infield ticket is required for each pre-race pit pass holder.

Tickets and pre-race pit passes may be purchased at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com, Ticketmaster or at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office. For more information, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

AMS PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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