By Lisa Breslin

Just south of Atlanta, in Hampton, Georgia, lies the Atlanta Motor Speedway, one of the biggest entertainment hot spots outside of the city. The track is famous for the spacious camping and parking grounds and surprising additions, such as climate-controlled grandstand views and the luxury high-rise Tara Place condos.

Whether you’re looking for that traditional racing experience or a concert in an unexpected venue, the Atlanta Motor Speedway has you covered. Get started on planning an itinerary with these five fun family-friendly spring and summer events!

Atlanta Motoroma

April 16-17, 2016

Gravity-defying motorsports is on the board when you venture out to see Cowboy Kenny’s Steel Rodeo Tour. Returning for its third year, the Summit Racing Equipment Atlanta Motorama brings a troupe of motorcycle dare-devil enthusiasts who challenge gravity over mammoth jumps and thrill audiences with acrobat tricks and dirty racing.

Along for the ride, “Cowboy” Kenny Bartram thrills spectators with tricks that helped him become a household name. As a 10-time X Games and Gravity Games medalist and free-style expert, Cowboy Kenny and his traveling team are sure to impress with intense, nail-biting action.

Dirty Girl Mud Run 5K

April 23, 2016

It’s not all about motors and racing. In fact, the Atlanta Motor Speedway track is great for those filthy mud runs, and Dirty Girl Mud Run returns again for its sixth year, supporting women and the survivors and heroes of cancer. The event, which takes participants through the muck only to reemerge as victors to the race, is open to all women, of all athletic abilities, and all shapes and sizes.

Dirty Girl Mud Run has attracted over 900,000 women from all parts of Georgia in the past five years. The best part about the race is the camaraderie and participation from all women, regardless of their backgrounds, coming together for the benefit of raising awareness and donations toward the eradication of breast and ovarian cancer.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags

Returns April 29 (On-going)

Returning for the summer, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Friday Night Drags brings together the community’s car and racing enthusiasts with a passion for adrenaline, motors and speed. Fans put rubber to road with a deluge of festivities that really charm the gearhead. Cruise around the track and view the participants in the Show-N-Shine car show, as glowing cars participate for the accolades in their respective category.

It’s one of the biggest Friday night events happening on the south side of Atlanta and attracts thousands of car fiends.

Foam Glow 5K

May 7, 2016

If getting covered in Glow in the Dark foam is your kind of fun, why not consider the Foam Glow 5K at the Atlanta Motor Speedway? As one of the biggest black light events in the country, Foam Glow is a 5K walk or run done completely at night. Once to the finish line, participants do their celebratory dance and enjoy various festivities and light snacks.

It’s not all about the party, though. Foam Glow 5Ks around the country dedicate every race to Childhood Cancer Awareness and donate proceeds to local charities in the communities. Atlanta’s Foam Glow 5K is donating to a local children’s hospital to help to further education surrounding childhood cancer and assist with treatment.

Thursday Thunder Legends Series Presented by Papa John’s

June 2 – July 21, 2016

Grassroots racing is big at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and June and July signals the return of Bandolero and Legends racing events, thundering into the season with plenty of family-friendly games, events, giveaways and racing events.

Bandolero and Legends racing is one of the biggest grassroots races happening at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and families are encouraged to come out and cheer on their community participants or cheer on family contestants. Drivers from around the metro area descend on the track throughout June and July with event participants from every division.

It’s still not too late to get involved or learn about some of the divisions that will be represented at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Visit Legends of GA for more information on involvement and divisions at this year’s 2016 events.

Atlanta Motor Speedway is the south side’s biggest event venue for outdoor sports and racing events, and there are plenty of events coming up in the next few weeks to get the city through the spring and summer. Visit the Atlanta Motor Speedway website and event calendar for a complete listing of shows for 2016.

From the Georgia Department of Economic Development: Georgia.org.