Big Green Egg Joins Atlantic Championship

The smell of perfectly grilled meats and vegetables and even baked goods figures to become more prevalent in the Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda paddock in the near future as series officials today announced that Big Green Egg, the World’s Best Smoker and Grill, has joined forces with the Atlantic Championship as the Official Tailgating Barbecue.

The Atlanta-based Big Green Egg Company — which manufactures the unique barbecue product that can be used as a grill, smoker or oven — will be an official partner of the Atlantic Championship through the end of the 2009 season, with an option to return to the series in the future. The partnership calls for the Atlantic Championship and each team competing in the 2009 series to receive one Big Green Egg cooker, and all Atlantic racecars will carry Big Green Egg decals. The Big Green Egg will also be front and center at a pair of Atlantic Championship race-weekend parties, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course next month and at Road Atlanta in September.

“There probably isn’t a sport more conducive to tailgating than road racing, so this partnership with Big Green Egg is a natural fit," said Atlantic Championship president Ben Johnston. “For a number of years, I’ve known that there’s no better way to prepare food outdoors than by using the Big Green Egg and I consider myself an avid ‘EGGhead.’ We’re looking forward to exposing the Big Green Egg to the Atlantic community and thousands of race fans through this partnership."

Some of the many benefits of the Big Green Egg include the fact that it is ready to cook in 10 minutes with no lighter fluid, its ceramic walls retain heat with accurate temperature control and no “hot spots," there is no need to add more charcoal while cooking and unburned charcoal may be reused, its enclosed design means constant tending is not required and it withstands temperature extremes from below zero to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The Big Green Egg is offered in five different sizes for enthusiastic outdoor chefs, whether novice or master barbecuer.

“There is a special camaraderie among devotees of the EGG which is very similar to the sense of community among racing tailgaters," said Big Green Egg marketing manager Jodi Burson. “We believe that this is a perfect partnership that brings together two groups of very passionate fans."

Next up for the Atlantic Championship is Round 5 of the 12-race 2009 season at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn. on Saturday, July 18 as part of the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix weekend. Simona De Silvestro leads the championship standings by eight points, 68-60, over Jonathan Summerton.