ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Ticket sales have remained steady for this weekend's
NASCAR races at North Carolina Speedway following the death of driver Dale
Earnhardt.
"There hasn't been a noticeable shift one way or the other," said Chris
Browning, speedway general manager.
Browning said because of the uncertain February weather, many fans wait
until the last few days to buy tickets for Saturday's Alltel 200 on the Busch
circuit and Sunday's Kmart/Dura Lube 400.
A tribute to Earnhardt is being planned for the race weekend, Browning said.
Earnhardt fans, who have left flowers and mementos at the driver's shop and
signed guest books at funeral homes around the country, also have left flowers
and pictures outside the Richmond County track.
"We have a large rock in front of the office with the names of previous
race winners engraved on it," Browning said. "A lot of people have left
different things there, wreaths and photos, to pay their respects."
While ticket sales are stable, several motel operators in Rockingham said
they have had cancellations from Earnhardt fans too upset to attend a race since
the driver was killed in a crash last weekend at the Daytona 500.
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