SPARTA, KY. (WDRB) -- So far so good -- NASCAR fans say they like what they see at the Kentucky Speedway.
For now, race fans are beating the heat--and any traffic. Track officials have assured everyone that traffic will not be an issue this year. Now, the "hot topic" is the heat.
It is so hot, a group of friends can thaw out lunch in the sun. "Almost done. One side's done," Jason Jackson laughed, as he flipped a package of frozen ham on the ground.
The ice cold beer is flowing, but that group knew better, and made sure to pack lots of water. They will be spending three nights in a tent. "Sleep right in the breeze, open up the flaps," said Jackson. That is right--no air conditioning the whole weekend. "None, whatsoever. Just brave it."
The heat is not the only thing they are beating. "No traffic cause we're already here. We're just going to walk over and enjoy the race." Last year's traffic was a disaster for thousands of fans trying to get to the Sprint Cup on Saturday. "We were only about three miles maybe from the track," said Julie Russell, "it took us 3.5 hours to make it in."
But NASCAR fans are giving the Kentucky Speedway a second shot, and like what they see so far. The track has made $10 million dollars in improvements. Expanded exit ramps on I-71, a widened highway, and added parking for cars and campers, and a pedestrian tunnel. These additions are expected to alleviate the traffic nightmare we saw last year. "It's much better, much nicer," said Russell, who took tram and van tours to check out the new additions.
The early campers are already getting the party started. With a truck, tarp, and some water, two NASCAR fans made what they call a "hillbilly hot tub."
The Speedway will have 12 ambulances on sight, and "cool zones" around the facility where fans can cool off race fans with a misting fan.
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