BLAKESLEE -- One of the biggest events in the Poconos returns this weekend: the Axalta We Paint Winners 400 is Sunday, and shops and restaurants in Monroe County are ready to cash in on the NASCAR crowds.
More than 100,000 people are expected to pack Pocono Raceway this weekend for the annual NASCAR race that puts the Monroe County race track in the national spotlight.
"It makes the economy flow nice. We could use it after the long winter," said John Diggins, Ray's Tuscan Villa chef.
The boost in foot traffic helps local shops and restaurants like Ray's Tuscan Villa in Blakeslee. Chefs there say during race weekend they need to double up on batches of dough and inventory. It's extra work that they welcome.
"Oh yeah, we're here 8 a.m. prepping, getting ready to go. We open up about 11 o'clock. It takes a couple hours to get ready," Diggins said.
Other businesses along Route 115 like J&M's Sweet Cravings Ice Cream Parlor rely on not only the NASCAR visitors, but also the weather. Owners there say they only cash in when the weather is good.
"If it's raining or if it's cruddy weather, people won't come out because a lot of stuff is outside and they don't want to have to come out in rain or cold, so it absolutely depends on the weather, but it looks like it's going to be a nice weekend," said owner Megan McFadden.
Many of the folks who come for NASCAR weekend every year say it's a big economic boost for this area and something they hope to see more of.
"I think it's good," said Nadine Barnes of Lansdale. "They get a lot more businesses on the weekends up here."
"I wish they'd do it more often. They should do more concerts and stuff at the track. I think it would bring more opportunities up here," said Diggins.
"We kind of consider the race weekends another holiday weekend for us," McFadden added.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Axalta We Paint Winners 400 race is scheduled for Sunday.