Fans perhaps fewer, but race-ready

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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