Fans gear up for IndyCar Thermal Grand Prix, full weekend of high-speed fun

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – It's almost time for the IndyCar Grand Prix and fans are gear up for a weekend of high-speed fun at Thermal Club.

Local IndyCar fans said they've been waiting for the chance to see the race series in their backyard.

"I think I was the first one to buy my ticket," Steve Wilkinson said.

Friday's practice schedules gives fans the chance to see their favorite drivers in action before the races on Saturday and Sunday. They said the practice sessions are their favorite as the drivers play around and test the track.

"We're going to see who get's going the quickest," Wilkinson said. "In practice it's sometimes fun because [the drivers are] just messing around a little bit and sometimes [they] get a little too crazy and I like that."

With nearly a year of preparations, Thermal Club is ready to welcome fans, the 27 drivers and their crew, and fans said there's one aspect of the race series that sets it a part from other sports.

"This is the only sport I know where you can walk up to a driver or walk up to the athlete on the day that they're doing the event," Anita Sipes said. "You can't do that in a football game or basketball games, but they have pictures and talk to them, get to know their personality."

Stay with News Channel 3 at 6 p.m. to hear from fans about their love for IndyCar and who they're most excited to see this race weekend.