Newz Forum: AUTO: NASCAR: track tries to avoid West Nile outbreak

FONTANA, Calif. (AP) - Crews sprayed pesticides Wednesday around the California Speedway to help prevent an outbreak of West Nile virus among the thousands of fans expected to attend a NASCAR race this weekend.

Local officials decided to spray for mosquitoes because Sunday's race will be at dusk, when the insects are active. The city of Fontana has been one of the most severely affected in California during this year's outbreak of the virus.

"It just seemed like a wise precaution, given the large number of people that will be at the Speedway," said David Wert, a spokesman for San Bernardino County.

The race Sunday is expected to attract some 100,000 fans, with about twice that number attending races through the weekend at the Speedway. About 15,000 people will be staying in motor homes in the track's infield.

Speedway spokesman Dennis Bickmeier said the track will also encourage fans to wear insect repellant.

San Bernardino County has been among the counties hardest hit by the West Nile virus, which has infected at least 370 people in the state so far this year and killed 10. The county has had 134 of those infected with the virus and four of the deaths.

Associated Press