NASCAR Cup Series

Race fans get into the 'Zone'

Published Oct. 10, 2010 10:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

FONTANA - Nick Patrick has loved NASCAR since he was 5, and on Saturday he was back for more.

Decked in a red Kasey Kahne cap, the 13-year-old from San Diego munched on bubble gum-flavored shaved ice that turned his lips blue as he checked out gear for sale in the Discover IE FanZone at Auto Club Speedway.

"I love the racing and all the excitement," he said. "I plan to keep coming back and be a driver someday."

Patrick was one of thousands of fans, from teens clad in heavy metal T-shirts to grandparents pushing strollers, who poured through the gates Saturday to check out bands, buy T-shirts and caps and watch the CampingWorld.com 300 NNS Race.

The events were part of a weekend of racing headlined today by the Pepsi Max 400 NSCS Race - part of the Sprint Cup Series.

All who came Saturday were treated to the spectacle that is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

As stock car engines roared in the background, stunt riders and skateboarders performed tricks on a ramp at the Mountain Dew BMX Stunt Show in the FanZone, one even taking off into the crowd to ride standing on his handlebars.

Rap songs blared from radio station booths, while bands performed on different stages.

Visitors gathered to watch Comic Book Heroes, the featured artist on ESPN's coverage of the 2010 NNS series, during a late morning performance.

Nearby, The SideWynders performed a mix of rockabilly, roots music and western swing.

Race car driver Danica Patrick drew one of the biggest crowds of the morning as she answered questions on the FanZone stage.

She first told visitors how lucky she was to have a job she loves and such great fans before describing what she likes best about NASCAR.

"I really enjoy the bumping, and on a good day in a stock car I'm part of the machine," she said. "And I'm crossing my fingers and saying my prayers that I put on a good show for you today."

Several fans posed for pictures in front of an image of Patrick on a trailer selling her merchandise.

There were lines throughout the area for T-shirts featuring images of other NASCAR drivers including Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Lea Jennings of Lake Elsinore, clad in a T-shirt that said "Jimmie Johnson Champion," said she wouldn't want to miss out on any of it.

"We come every year because it's fun to spend time with family and friends and watch the races," she said.

Plenty of food and fun also were there for the under-10 crowd.

Children climbed a big red climbing wall and feasted on Texas-sized turkey legs, gourmet pretzels and giant western sausages.

Near the infield, where a sea of flags waved over hundreds of RVs parked for the weekend of racing, visitors watched drivers practice and the Budweiser Clydesdales trotting down a roadway.

Keith Bacon of Beaumont and his mother, Paula Berger of Victorville, were all smiles as they made their way to Saturday's race, where David Hasselhoff was slated to sing the national anthem.

"Jeff Gordon is my favorite driver, and I got my Jeff Gordon jacket signed by him in the pit area, while my son got an autograph from Ryan Newman," said Berger. "We love all of this. It's different from other sports. The drivers are down to earth, not big-headed like they are in basketball."