SPARTA — Seven-year-old Paul Austin Torrence wasn't hoping for smooth racing Saturday. He wanted to see some “wrecks and spinouts.”

        Paul Austin and his dad, Paul Daniel Torrence of Green Township, were among an estimated 70,000 in attendance for the third annual Kroger 300 at the Kentucky Speedway. Racing fans began arriving at noon and enjoyed breezy weather and 70-degree temperatures during a full day of activities.

        Some may be back today. The race was suspended until 1 p.m. today because of rain after 86 of 200 laps were completed.

        Race fans like Melissa Bilz got their pictures taken in the driver's seat of parked race cars while waiting for the 8 p.m. prime event. There were three races scheduled for Saturday, including the mid-afternoon All-Pro 150, which was postponed because of rain on Friday night.

        If fans weren't too busy eating and playing games, they could watch a pre-race concert from the alternative-rock group, Dishwalla.

        “I love it here,” said Ms. Bilz, a season ticket holder from Independence. “This place is top-notch.”

        With so much going on at the speedway, Ms. Bilz is hopeful that racing officials will take notice and award it a Winston Cup racing date. NASCAR officials said last week that it is unlikely Kentucky will host a Winston Cup race in 2003.

        “I don't think we'll get one until 2005,” Ms. Bilz said. “They have had a few traffic problems that they still haven't worked out.”

        In 2000, fans endured long waits along I-71 en route to the speedway's first races. Since then, a highway interchange and new parking lots have been de signed to make the trip easier.

        But not all fans are satisfied with the new design.

        “It is more confusing,” Mr. Torrence said. “They have more cones without any directions.”

        Speedway Vice President Mark Cassis said it has taken up to six hours in past years to unload parking lots after the races. This year, he said the new design could help people get out twice as fast.

        Traffic was heavy along I-71 toward the speedway throughout the day, but police were reporting no serious backups or problems.

        Hundreds of fans got a close-up view from the middle of the track.

        Eight-year-old Nathan Rawlins of Middletown had a “Cold Pit” pass that allowed him to collect six autographs from some of his favorite racers.

        He said he loves to see the “fast cars and people that race,” while his mother, Angela Caudill, said she loves seeing the cars go around the track.

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