Most people see a race car and think of a solo driver. At Atlanta Motorsports Park, we see the village it takes to get them there. The track is more than just a place to turn laps; it’s a high-speed incubator where relationships are built, opportunities are created, and the next generation of racers begins to take shape. This “Built at the Track” spirit is more than a slogan, it’s a commitment to mentorship that bridges the gap between raw talent and professional opportunity.
The story of 16-year old driver Kellan Spears is the perfect blueprint of this “AMP Effect.” What started as a simple introduction during a member Track Walk in 2025 has quickly evolved into something much bigger: a collaborative effort between AMP Members to leverage their collective expertise, break down the traditional barriers to entry, and build a real roadmap for success that starts right here in the paddock, not just as a competitor, but as a young man navigating the complexities of a professional sport.
At Atlanta Motorsports Park, the track is more than just a place to drive, it’s where relationships are built, opportunities are created, and the next generation of racers begins to take shape.
A Community That Creates Opportunity
During a Track Walk, Gary Dowling, one of AMP’s longtime Road Course Members, met 16-year-old driver Kellan Spears and his family. Kellan is an AMP Lifetime Karting Member who has been developing his skills at the track, progressing through karting, Legend cars, and endurance racing with the full support of his parents, Lara and Jimmy Spears.
Gary, a Member of more than a decade and a well-known presence around the paddock, has a reputation for connecting people and creating opportunities within the Club. After meeting the Spears family, he recognized both Kellan’s talent and the reality of the sport, that for many young drivers, the path forward is defined by barriers that feel nearly impossible to break through without the right connections, guidance, and support.
With that in mind, Gary introduced the Spears family to WellSpring Partners.
Led by Doug Stringer, WellSpring Partners is a motorsports marketing and driver development firm backed by decades of experience in professional racing, including team ownership in NASCAR and NHRA. Doug is widely respected for helping young drivers navigate the highly competitive and often difficult path into the sport.
From that introduction, a driver development program was formed, one designed to support Kellan’s growth both on and off the track.
The Power of Member Collaboration
What makes this story unique is how quickly it expanded beyond a single connection.
Another long-standing AMP Member family, the Nicols, soon became an integral part of the effort. Raiden Nicol, a championship-winning driver with experience at the highest levels of Radical Cup competition, along with his father Ryan, brought technical expertise and racecraft coaching to support Kellan’s progression. The collaboration was solidified when Wellspring acquired Raiden’s own former Spec Miata, giving Kellan a proven platform to continue his development.
Together, these families, each deeply rooted in the AMP community, created an environment where knowledge, resources, and experience could be shared. It’s a reflection of what makes AMP different: a community that doesn’t just exist alongside one another, but actively works together to elevate the people within it.
From the Paddock to the Podium
That collaboration is already translating into results.
Kellan Spears recently secured his first race wins in both Round 1 and Round 2 of the AMP Championship Series, a milestone moment that reflects not only his talent and determination, but the strength of the community behind him.
This is what sets Atlanta Motorsports Park apart.
Programs like Track Walks and Club Racing are designed to bring Members together, but it’s what happens beyond those moments that defines the experience. Connections turn into mentorship. Conversations turn into opportunities.
And for drivers like Kellan, those moments can turn into something even bigger.
In this case, it brought together three AMP Member families, collaborating in racing, sharing knowledge, and building something greater than any one individual effort. What began as a simple introduction through a complimentary Member program evolved into a fully connected driver development effort, built on the foundation of the AMP community itself.
Because at AMP, it’s more than a membership.
It’s a community that builds drivers.
