One week ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Spring Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway and fans are already filing into Fort Worth.
Camp grounds at Texas Motor Speedway opened Saturday, and fans area already set up, including Roger and Susan Butler who drove from Minnesota.
“It’s nice because everyone here is here for the same reason,” said Susan Butler. “You’re here for the race.”
On average, fall NASCAR Sprint Cup events draw 150,000 people to Texas Motor Speedway, and that means a lot of fans will be spending money in North Texas. In fact, it’s the largest single sporting event in Texas, according to Gregg Elkin with Texas Motor Speedway.
Texas Motor Speedway itself is an economic engine in the region providing a $300 million economic impact annually.
Nearby businesses are ready for the rush like Hard Eight BBQ in nearby Roanoke.
The restaurants stays busy year round, but the general manager told NBC 5 they adjust orders and add more food for the big NASCAR weekend. And, when it comes to staff - it’s all hands on deck.
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“It takes a lot of time, people and experience – experience goes a long way, if you have people who know what they’re doing it goes well,” said Pit Master Rodney Salcido.
