You'll hear a lot about just how much revenue all of those race fans bring to town this week, but you might not hear about all of the jobs the race creates.

Not only part-time jobs, but the chance for the region's non-profit organizations to earn some money too.

Before the first fan gets comfortable in the 160,000-seat racing coliseum known as Bristol Motor Speedway, hundreds, if not thousands, of local people are hard at work. Their job: to make the race a visit to remember for fans.

To do that, it takes time and manpower. "During race week we will have an additional 5,500 people approximately on staff helping us with ushers, concession stands, souvenir stands, parking and on and on. We wouldn't be able to do it without the local community and their support," track general manger Jerry Caldwell says.

And those part-time jobs aren't the only money-makers at the track during race week. Most of those souvenir stands around the track are manned by non-profit agencies who make commissions from their sales.

It's been a staple at the track since Bruton Smith bought it 16 years ago. "Bringing non-profit groups from the community, he wanted the community to be involved with the track so when race time comes they felt a part of it. It's been a great idea for us and we've been doing the same thing ever since," says merchandise manager Greg Cole.

For many it might just be a part-time job, but when times are tough a job is a job and any income or money for non-profits is a blessing. "They come in and they run the souvenir stands and help us with programs. Right around about a thousand people that come in with those groups to help us with the race," Cole said.

It's the race that brings them here but it's the people they remember. "Because of this community and the way people embrace everything that goes on here, whether they welcome the individuals from out of town, its just the hospitality of this region is surpassed by none," Caldwell added.

So to the thousands of you that are here, welcome to Bristol.