KANSAS CITY, Kan. --
A slow economy has slowed ticket sales at Kansas Speedway for this weekend's Nascar races, but it seems out-of-town fan are more willing to make the trek.The Kansas Speedway anticipates 90,000 to 100,000 fans per day for the Saturday and Sunday races.
Seventy percent of the race fans expected to attend are not from the Kansas City metro.
"We like to watch fast cars, drink a little beer, get wild and crazy," said racing fan Dave Koolmo.
Koolmo and six friends arrived Thursday for race weekend at the Kansas Speedway.
"It's the fun. It's all about having fun people around, and you add racing to it and you really can't beat it," added Nascar fan Gena Chipps.
Since it's opening in 2001, Kansas Speedway has been a routine stop for race fans throughout the country. This year a slow economy forced some to stay home.
"We went from 30 down to seven making the trip. I went from owning an RV to renting one," said Koolmo.
Nascar fans are expected to pump $242 million into the local economy.
Kansas Speedway president Jeff Boerger says their marketing campaign has made Nascar weekend an affordable option for fans. Guests can bring in their own food and drink into the track, and parking is free.
"This area is the largest tourist attraction, not only in the state of Kansas but in the region," said Boerger.
It's a tourist attraction that fuels western Wyandotte County with new developments, while other areas struggle to survive.
