By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-976372.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – More than 30 tractor trailers hauling the race cars that will be in this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kentucky Speedway made a pit stop for fans in Lexington Wednesday.
Rick Maxfield of Mercer County brought his 8-year-old son Phillip to the event at the Hamburg Wal-mart.
"He's a big NASCAR fan. And it's the first time he's ever got to see any of the equipment or the haulers or anything so he's real excited about coming out here and seeing them."
Forty-three drivers will race in the Quaker State 400 on Saturday. It is the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race ever held in Kentucky. To say that Paula Rhodus of Winchester is excited would be an understatement.
"I think this is the best thing. Everybody in Kentucky loves NASCAR. So for it to come to Kentucky, this is the best thing ever!"
Rhodus and her family have tickets to the race, where they'll join more than 100-thousand fans in spending money and stimulating the Gallatin County economy.
"Individually, I would say ticket included, two, three hundred dollars. And that's everything. That's gas to get there, going, staying. Maybe $300."
Jim Gilbert is a transport driver for Red Bull Racing's Number 4 car driven by Kasey Kahne. He thinks this week's races in Sparta will have a big economic impact.
"I think it's gonna be a really big deal. You know it might take a year or two to really get it up to speed. But for every place we go, a lot of towns rely on this race. There's a lot of revenue from this race, a lot of people, a lot of support. And I think it makes a big deal."
Other races at Kentucky Speedway this week include the Camping World Truck Series race on Thursday, and the Nationwide Series Feed the Children 300 on Friday.