DINWIDDIE Sitting on a wooden bench outside his store on U.S. 1, L.F. Harrison, owner of Produce Center #1, was counting the minutes until the rush began.

While the store was busy for a Wednesday afternoon, with a steady stream of customers making their way through the small Dinwiddie County grocery, it wasn't enough to keep the four checkers busy.

That will change today as an estimated 60,000 fans descend on Dinwiddie for a weekend of drag races. Many of them heading to the NHRA Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park will drive past the store.

While NHRA fans fill hotels, shops and restaurants as far north as Hanover County, it is Dinwiddie's moment in the sun.

Based on figures from Virginia Motorsports Park and the Virginia Tourism Corp. from previous years, the three-day event generates about $22 million for the state and region.

The 55,000 fans who travel more than 100 miles spend an average of $89 per day each, for a total of $4.9 million per day. Those who drive less than 100 miles generate up to $8 million during the weekend.

While that money is spread among several localities, the direct impact on Dinwiddie was $48,500 last year, based on taxes for admissions and occupancy. That could cover more than a third of the $126,548 the county will pay for summer school next year.

The races are "about the biggest event out here," said Carol Robertson, business-license administrator for Dinwiddie.

Harrison said business at Produce Center # 1 jumps 20 percent every year as race fans pick up sodas, beer, ice and food before heading 5 miles to the park for a day of watching races.

"They start lining up early," he said. "In the morning the traffic is backed up . . . all the way onto [Interstate] 95."

Across from the grocery at the Holiday Inn Express, Virginia Nationals is the hotel's most profitable weekend of the year, according to Tina Hawkins, assistant general manager.

She said the 67 rooms are booked months in advance and that the Holiday Inn will begin booking for next year's race before Sunday.

"We'll be sold out by November," she said.

Rates run about $60 higher per day for the weekend than at any other time of the year, Hawkins said.

At midweek several miles south on U.S. 1, Giuseppe's Pizza was packed with a lunch crowd. Customers took up every table while employees scrambled to keep up with the rush.

Adriana Buffa, whose parents own Giuseppe's, said the weekend is a bit of a mixed blessing: "We get busy, but some of the regulars get scared off."

Still, the restaurant sees a steady flow of customers starting Thursday nights before the Virginia Nationals start.

As for concerns that economic tribulations will deter fans, Harrison said he expects no letup.

"I'm not concerned," he said. "People will come out because they will always find a way to pay for entertainment."
Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or LLLovio@timesdispatch.com.