Another 2 places you can work around cars, although not doing performance work, is detailing and valet. There's plenty of detailing shops around ATL and even more valet. Seems like you can't even go to Toxic Hell without valet around there anymore. And there's some places you can make mad bank doing valet, but I'm not sure how old you are or if there's any age requirements for valet....but worth a try.
If you do try for valet, dress nicely to make a good 1st impression.
b