Where to stay in the ATLANTA area? (and what to do)

[CAPTAINNEO]

Just found out work's sending me to Atlanta next week for some big car show thing (no need to mention the name...). Im flying out from LA and I need to find a place to stay...obviously, the biggest help I'm looking for is so that I don't book in 'the hood'. Maybe being from LA Im a bit paranoid about staying in certain neighborhoods...I have some co-workers staying in McDonough, and some friends/drivers staying near/in Stockbridge and Morrow...One person I know recommended that if I wanna party to stay in Buckhead. Im down to party, but I just dont know if I wanna be that far from ATL Motorspeedway...Another friend of mine told me to AVOID staying 'Near the track'. Not sure of the reasons, but that's what he said...
Also taking any recomendations on anything else worth checking out while I'm out there...Food? Shops? ANYTHING?