Racing fans drive in big bucks

NEW WESTON, Ohio (WDTN) - More than 25,000 racing fans will flood Eldora Speedway Friday and Saturday for the 29th Annual Kings Royal.

"Over 71% of the people that come to Eldora travel more than 100 miles and  50% of them travel more than 250 miles to come here for our major events. So this is a big, big deal," says Eldora Speedway General Manager Roger Slack.

And travel they did.  Keith Smith and Andrew Crawford drove 7 hours from Tennessee to get in on the racing action.  

"This is my first time.  Talked about it all kinds of times and it's my first go round.  It's racing. It's cool," comments Keith Smith.

"My brother-in-law is from Cincinnati, I've heard for 13 years that this is the best show on dirt.  It's awesome.  It's a party," explains Andrew Crawford.

The two-day event is expected to pump more than $2 million into the local economy.

"When you start thinking about the groceries, the gas, hotel rooms, everything they do to come into our small community here in Darke and Mercer County," says Slack.

Many of the vendors at the speedway are also local, like Mikesell's Concessions located in Mercer County.

"This is one of three big events that we come out here to.  It's really, really good for the community, for Eldora, village, we call it," explains Reed Mikesell.

This is a big money-maker for the family business.

"It's been very good.  It's been pretty hot.  But, again, I think with the weather conditions, so far a good night of business," says Mikesell.

The racing continues tomorrow at Eldora Speedway.