The summer night will carry a sense of ceremony long before the smell of gasoline fills the air when NASCAR takes over Atlanta on July 12. For "America's crew chief" Larry McReynolds, the night will be one to cherish.

The crew chief-turned-broadcaster has been named the honorary pace car driver for the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway. However, the setting of his getting this honor was unconventional.

While being interviewed by McReynolds on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Atlanta Motor Speedway General Manager Brandon Hutchison surprisingly asked him if he'd like to be the honorary pace car driver for the race. McReynolds, unaware of what the offer was or that it sounded too good to be true, responded, asking,

"So, you want me to ride in the pace car, or do you want me to drive the pace car?"

When Hutchinson confirmed that the offer was for him to indeed drive the pace car and kick off the day, McReynolds was left flattered.

"Invitation accepted," he responded. "I am very flattered. I’m very honored."

The special tie to this speedway for Larry McReynolds dates back more than 30 years. Let’s take a look at what this moment meant to the veteran.

The 1994 NASCAR win behind Larry McReynolds’ special Atlanta connection

Larry McReynolds in the pace car is more than just a simple tribute. Rather, it brings him back to a track where a major achievement of his outstanding crew chief career was secured.

His Atlanta connection goes all the way back to the 1994 Purolator 500, the fourth race of the Winston Cup season. He was the crew chief of Ernie Irvan, who started seventh in the No. 28 Robert Yates Racing Ford and led 207 of 328 laps before beating Morgan Shepherd and Darrell Waltrip.

The victory was Irvan’s second straight win and his second of the 1994 season. Reflecting on that memory in the aforementioned interview, McReynolds added:

"Atlanta Motor Speedway, now EchoPark Speedway, very special to me. Was able to win there with Ernie Irvan back in 1994. Of course, it was the old configuration back then."

This exact history is what gives the return its weight. Before he became a commentator, McReynolds established himself as one of NASCAR’s finest crew chiefs.

However, his broadcasting career was as iconic as his sporting career. Reflecting on his commentary stints in NASCAR races at Atlanta, he added:

"Been able to be a part of some iconic race calls there with NASCAR on FOX. And of course, the Quaker State 400 - Quaker State, very near and true to me with being a sponsorship on the car that I got my first few wins with back in the 80s."

Larry McReynolds will lead the field to green at EchoPark Speedway at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 12.

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Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Yash Kotak