EchoPark Speedway was recognized Thursday at the Georgia State Capitol as an economic driver and community partner as the Speedway gears up for this weekend’s Autotrader 400.

During “Speedway Day at the Capitol,” Georgia House Resolution 1040 acknowledged the Hampton track as Henry County’s top tourism attraction, drawing visitors from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries annually. The resolution cited an estimated $250 million annual economic impact and support of 2,800 jobs.

State Rep. Robert Flournoy, of Georgia’s 74th House District and sponsor of the resolution, welcomed EchoPark Speedway executives and NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain to the Georgia House of Representatives chamber.

“These days are important for our sport from a big-picture point of view,” Chastain said. “With EchoPark Speedway just south of the city, this is a big deal. People from all over the country and around the world are flying in for the race this weekend, and that’s important for the state of Georgia.”

Chastain is scheduled to compete in two races at EchoPark Speedway this weekend: the Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Series event on Saturday and Sunday’s Autotrader 400. An eighth-generation watermelon farmer with agricultural roots in Florida and Georgia, Chastain said his car will need to handle well if he’s going to end a race with his signature watermelon smashing victory celebration.

“The handling matters here — the radius of the corners, how tight and steep they are — you don’t run around here easily wide open. Handling matters, even in qualifying,” Chastain said. “Goal number one this weekend is to make the car drive better for me in qualifying, and then we’ll get into the race and see what we have.”

Tickets and camping for this weekend’s Autotrader 400 are available now at EchoParkSpeedway.com.