Fans perhaps fewer, but race-ready
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009
GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
Despite the cool, a few fans were feeling the excitement in the turn four infield. Cool, damp conditions kept the fans in the Lowe's Motor Speedway infield somewhat subdued Saturday afternoon as they waited for the running of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
Frank Cooke of Gastonia with his Pink Panther has been coming to races for decades. Cool, damp conditions kept the fans in the Lowe's Motor Speedway infield somewhat subdued Saturday afternoon as they waited for the running of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
Thomas (left) and Katrina Owens along with Mac Golden have a dinner of cheeseburgers and chips in the turn one infield, using their charcoal grill to keep warm. The Owens sent their nine-year-old son home with friends Friday night because of the weather, but the adults soldiered on and were ready for Saturday's race. Cool, damp conditions kept the fans in the Lowe's Motor Speedway infield somewhat subdued Saturday afternoon as they waited for the running of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
The cold weather didn't keep fans from lugging their coolers with them, and keeping their drinks cool. Cool, damp conditions kept the fans in the Lowe's Motor Speedway infield somewhat subdued Saturday afternoon as they waited for the running of the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotte
Tim Fowler of Raleigh endures some good-natured teasing from his friends, Ford fans all, as he carves a Chevrolet-themed jack o'lantern in the infield at Lowe's Motor Speedway Friday afternoon. Over 100,000 fans will attend NASCAR races Friday and Saturday. GARY O'BRIEN - gobrien@charlotteobserver.com
Gray skies and chilly winds didn't keep fans from bundling up and heading to Lowe's Motor Speedway to cheer on their favorite drivers in Saturday's NASCAR Banking 500.
But some longtime fans said the crowd seemed smaller and more subdued than usual, likely a result of the unseasonably cold weather and chilly economic climate.
Attendance figures are not released.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of fans piled on layers of sweaters, winter coats and hats and warmed themselves in front of propane heaters and charcoal grills.
"The October races are usually lighter-attended," said Thomas Owens of Charlotte. Saturday's crowd appeared lighter than usual to him. "Down this way, it's pretty thin," he said, surveying stretches of empty infield.
In previous years, "you'd have bumper to bumper," said his wife, Katrina. "The weather and economy, I'd say, are responsible."
But the fans who turned out said the cost of tickets and enduring the chill were well worth the experience.
"The smell of the fuel, the sound of the cars, you can't get that from TV," said Frank Cooke of Gastonia.
Richard Swygert drove from Springfield, S.C., to see qualifying Thursday and said he didn't mind the weather at all.
"I took off work Thursday," he said. "I called my wife Wednesday night and said, 'I feel like I got let out of jail.' "
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