DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A slumping economy is being blamed for keeping as many as 30 percent of NASCAR fans away from the Daytona International Speedway races this Fourth of July weekend.

"Normally this place is packed and we know everybody but now I only see like 20 people I know," a NASCAR race fan said.

The Daytona economy counts on the tourist dollars generated from the Fourth of July races.

However, this year's big race -- the Coke Zero 400 -- is not a sell out and 20 to 30 percent of fans who normally come are staying home over high gas prices and touch economic times, Local 6's J.R. Stone reported.

"It is no where near to the capacity it usually is," a NASCAR race fan said. "You are talking just for a weekend, about $1,000 just for fuel."

Local 6 showed parts of the Speedway campground empty early Friday. NASCAR officials said it is a sign of the tough times, Stone reported.

"I've been talking to people already and some of them come this year -- some friends who normally come -- they didn't come because of the money," a race fan said.

Fans camping at the track said they were also cutting back by cooking hamburgers and French fries instead of steaks and ribs.

People said it is costing them double this year to come to this year's race.

The Coke Zero 400 race begins at 8 p.m. on July 5.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.