ALMS (ROAD ATLANTA) - GEORGIA DRIVERS HAVE PETIT LE MANS ON THEIR MINDS

Nic Jonsson will drive a Ferrari F430 GT for Risi Competizione/Krohn Racing at Petit Le Mans.

Road Atlanta is the birthplace of Petit Le Mans, the 1,000-mile/10-hour sports car endurance race that draws thousands of spectators and competitors from around the world. In 1998, Don Panoz decided that sports car racing needed a strong home in North America. By holding the inaugural Petit Le Mans in the rolling foothills of north Georgia, Dr. Panoz created an event where atmosphere, skill and excitement culminated into a unique sports car weekend.

Three accomplished American Le Mans Series drivers live and work in the Atlanta metro area. Nic Jonsson, Jim Tafel and Johnny O'Connell claim Road Atlanta as their home track, and each has his own level of experience there. Jonsson, one of three drivers of the No. 61 Risi Competizione/Krohn Racing Ferrari F430 GT, is a well-versed sports car driver who demonstrates his true enthusiasm about racing in Petit Le Mans.

"I think that Petit has become one of the most prestigious races in the world, up there with the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona," said Jonsson, who finished second in GT2 at Le Mans in June with Tracy Krohn and Colin Braun.

Despite living only miles from Road Atlanta, Jonsson does not believe that his proximity to the track gives him an advantage over the field of world-class drivers the prestigious event draws.

"From a pure performance standpoint I don't think it really gives me an advantage. All of the teams from around the world test here. But it's always nice to sleep in your own bed and have home cooking," he said.

Flowery Branch's Johnny O'Connell has started more American Le Mans Series races (83) than any other driver.

Not only can Corvette Racing's O'Connell sleep in his own bed but he can probably hit the snooze button a few more times than most. Just minutes away from the track in nearby Flowery Branch, the New York native is one most recognizable faces from the Series paddock.

He holds the record for most career starts in the American Le Mans Series with 83 starts and ranks at or near the top in every statistical category. He also is a two-time GT1 class champion and even appeared in a General Motors television spot during this year's Super Bowl.

"It is of course an advantage to sleep in your own home rather than a hotel, but in some ways it's more difficult as you have so many people wanting a bit of your time, that it can take your mind away from the race," O'Connell said. "So one needs to be focused on the goal, which is winning what is one of our biggest races of the year."

A first-year team owner and full-time driver in the Series, Tafel is new to American Le Mans Series competition and Petit Le Mans. This year is Tafel Racing's first full year in the Series and will mark Tafel's first running at the endurance classic.

Jim Tafel and his Tafel Racing team will compete at Petit Le Mans for the first time.

"It will be very different with lots of local people being able to attend a race," said Tafel about Petit being in Georgia. "It will be one of the highlights of the year, being a home team."

Tafel Racing will be one of the teams featured at a Petit Le Mans function at FOX Sports Grill in the Atlantic Station area of Atlanta on Tuesday prior to the race. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 2.

The 10th running of Petit Le Mans, the annual 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic at Road Atlanta, is set for 11:15 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 6. SPEED will provide live coverage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 10 p.m. American Le Mans Radio and IMSA's Live Timing and Scoring will be available at americanlemans.com.