LAS VEGAS - NASCAR weekend is here, and fans from across the country are heading to Las Vegas for the race festivities.
Friday, fans find out who qualifies for the top spot for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400.
The race caps a week of events which also include Saturday's Sam's Town 300. Hundreds of RVs parked on the infield of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Thursday to get a close look of the drivers and their crews.
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to come to Las Vegas. Many love the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's close quarters where fans can watch the crews work on the cars.
Locals are just as excited to take part in the action.
"I'm as excited today as I was fourteen years ago. You just get so hyped. I can't even work my last day at work," said Las Vegas fan Suzanne Mundy.
"The weather, the Strip, the cars, put it all together, it's a great trip," said Washington visitor Steven Brothers.
"This is really cool. I'm sure it's something the whole family's going to remember all their life," said fan Jake Andreotti.
Speedway officials say fans will also receive a free air show when they come to the races, because of the speedway's proximity to Nellis Air Force Base.
The Thunderbirds could be seen practicing near the speedway Thursday. Nellis says those jets will be grounded beginning next month due to federal budget cuts.
To make things more historical, the race is the last sports event in the country that will feature the Thunderbirds in the skies.
NASCAR Weekend kicks off Friday with the Stratosphere Pole Day.
