Atlanta to pay out record purse

Atlanta Motor Speedway officials have announced a record purse of $6,609,084 for its three NASCAR national series races March 16-18. Nextel Cup drivers will battle for a purse of $4,957,097 in the Kobalt Tools 500. The Busch Series purse will be $1,115,577 for the Nicorette 300, and the Craftsman Truck Series purse will be $536,410 for the American Commercial Line 200.