KNOXVILLE (WATE) - NASCAR fans got "up close and personal" with some of their favorite drivers Wednesday night in Knoxville.
The fans packed the Knoxville Expo Center for Food City Family Race Night, a twice-annual event before race weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Wednesday's crowd was gearing up for the Food City 250 and Irwin Tools Night Race. There was food, entertainment.
Hometown NASCAR hero Trevor Bayne was on hand to sign autographs.
Several fans said it's an event they don't miss.
"For people like me who don't have the chance to go to Bristol you actually see the cars and meet the drivers," said Doug Gunther. "It's great."
Dawn Ferrell said she attended because of "all the people, meeting all the race car drivers, the free stuff!"
WATE 6 was a sponsor of Food City Family Race Night.