SPARTA, Ky. (WDRB) -- Severe weather has moved through Sparta, Ky., knocking down several tents at the Kentucky Speedway.
WDRB's Tamara Evans reported about 10-15 minutes of high winds blew through the area a little before 6:00 p.m. The winds were part of a line of severe thunderstorms, though the system did not drop any rain on the track.
Grandstand seats were evacuated briefly in case trusses were to fall. The strong winds sent objects flying.
"All of a sudden the guy started announcing there's a big storm coming through with 60 mile per hour winds and everything," says Marilyn Robertson, a race fan.
"Everybody's tents and canopies flew all over the place. It was crazy," says John Trapp.
As people took cover from debris, Robert Robertson had one thing on hit mind.
"That something could fly and hit me, so I started thinking to get my loved ones back to the car or something. It was unreal and something to see," says Robert Robertson.
A speedway spokesman said no one was hurt. The track delayed qualifying runs before Friday night's Feed the Children 300 for about 15-20 minutes. The qualifying races for the Saturday Quaker State 400 resumed shortly after 6 p.m.
Fallen debris also caused damage to some new Ford vehicles in an outdoor exhibit.
One blessing from the winds comes from WDRB chief meteorologist Marc Weinberg. He says the winds likely cooled the temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees at the track.
Friday night's winner of the Feed the Children 300 race was rookie Austin Dillon. He led 192 of the 200 laps. This is Austin Dillon's first career win in Nationwide Series competition.
Copyright 2012 WDRB News and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Grandstand at Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, after high winds blow at track Friday afternoon. WDRB News photos from Tamara Evans
Wind-blown debris from outdoor exhibits damaged several new Ford vehicles at Kentucky Speedway Friday.
